Exploring the El Pinacate Reserve is an adventure that is worth taking for nature lovers and adventurers alike. The reserve is home to several geological formations, including ten stunning craters. However, to explore these craters, you need a tall vehicle like a sprinter, SUV, or pickup. The 70 km of roads that lead to the craters are unpaved, with rocky parts and fords, which makes it inaccessible to low-profile sedans. Also, motorcycles, ATVs, razors, buggies, and buses are not permitted.
El Elegante crater:
One of the must-visit craters in the reserve is the El Elegante crater. With a diameter of 1600 m and a depth of 244 m, this crater is the largest in the El Pinacate Reserve. It is located in the volcanic shield and is a result of a volcanic explosion. Visitors can park their vehicles close to the edge of the crater and take a short walk to appreciate the majesty and evidence of this explosion. The El Elegante crater has an interpretive trail of 1 km, where visitors can find lecterns with information on different topics of the site.
Cerro Colorado crater:
Another stunning crater that visitors can explore is the Cerro Colorado crater. This crater is located 15 km from the El Elegante crater, and it is also one of the ten craters in the reserve. What sets this crater apart from the others is its reddish color, which is accentuated by the rays of the sun at sunset. Its formation of tuff, a material made up of volcanic ash and clay, gives it this different appearance. The Cerro Colorado crater has a diameter of 750 m and a depth of 100 m. Visitors can explore this crater on the North Route.
The El Pinacate Reserve is not just about the craters. Visitors can also explore other geological formations like the sand dunes, which are considered to be one of the most extensive dune fields in North America. The sand dunes cover an area of over 650 km2, and they offer visitors a unique experience of hiking on the sand and enjoying the breathtaking views.
If you are interested in wildlife, the reserve is home to several species of animals, including the desert bighorn sheep, the Sonoran pronghorn, and the Gila monster. The reserve also has several hiking trails that visitors can explore, including the Schuk Toak Visitors Center Trail, the Puerto Blanco Trail, and the Gran Desierto Trail.
In conclusion, exploring the El Pinacate Reserve is an adventure that is worth taking for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Visitors can explore stunning geological formations like the El Elegante crater and the Cerro Colorado crater, hike on sand dunes, and observe wildlife. However, visitors should note that a tall vehicle like a sprinter, SUV, or pickup is required to explore the reserve, as the roads leading to the craters are unpaved and rocky.
