Inferno Cone trail is stop #4 after Devil’s Orchard when you’re driving through the Loop Road the Craters of the Moon National Monument. This 6,181-foot summit gives you a panoramic view of the surrounding volcanic landscape. It’s worth a stop after you visit the Cave Trail, which is my favorite part there. If you want to read more on the history of Craters of the Moon, you can check it out here.
STATS:
Where:
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Coordinates: Visitors center – 43°27’43.0″N 113°33’42.0”W
Inferno Cone trail – 43°26’42.2″N 113°33’20.6″W
Parking:
There is a decent size parking lot right before the trail.
Hours:
The Monument and Preserve is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. Winter snows usually prevent automobile access around the Loop Road from mid-November through mid-April. To get to the trailhead, you will need to drive through Loop Road.
Distance:
1 mile R.T.
Elevation Gain:
164 ft
Level:
Easy
Estimated Completion Time:
Half an hour
Ideal Weather:
Spring and Fall are the best seasons to go. Summer will get very hot, especially with the sun reflecting off the black volcano rocks. Winter weather can get very extreme.
Ideal Time:
Earlier the better as it will get very hot there!
Dog-friendly:
Dogs are not allowed on the trails inside the park.
THE ADVENTURE:
The hike up Inferno Cone is very straight forward. Once you pull up to the parking lot, you’ll see a short, but steep path up a cinder cone that looks like a black, almost smooth hill. Cinder cones form when gas-rich volcanic froth erupts high into the air and then piles in a mound. Most cinder cones have a bowl-shaped crater at the summit. However, Inferno Cone doesn’t have a crater on its summit. One of my favorite parts here is the rocks. From far away, Inferno Cone just looks like a pile of black rocks. However, as you look closely, these lava rocks are actually beautiful. They are shiny and colorful. As the sun shines on them a certain way, they sparkle like little jewels.
Inferno Cone looks barren from the bottom. However, once you get up on top, the flat summit is filled with desert plants. The day we went, the wind was very strong up on top. All the trees lean toward one direction because of the wind. If you close your eyes and lean into the wind, it feels like you’re flying. The view up here is very expansive. You can walk around the top to take in the 360º view of the Monument.
Once you’re done admiring these pretty rocks and the sweeping views, don’t forget to check out the Spatter Cones, two miniature volcanoes just down the road from here. If you are looking for more fun adventures around this part of Idaho, don’t forget to check out the Boise River Float or Kayaking to Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls.
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RECOMMEND GEAR:
Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
• Sunscreen
It gets really warm here. There is not a lot of shade so make sure you use plenty of sunscreens. We use eco-friendly, reef safe sunscreen, Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen.
• Good hiking shoes with traction
Vy’s shoes are North Face
Dustin’s shoes are Coleman Tasman Hiking Shoe.
• A jacket
It gets a bit windy up top. If you get cold easy as I do, a light jacket would be good.
• Lunch and snacks
The trail is very short so you won’t need lunch for it, but you will need food if you’re visiting Craters of the Moon. There is nothing around here.•
• Lots of water!
It is a short hike, but there is no shade on the trail and it will get very hot during the summer or in full sun. Vy uses the Camelback L.U.X.E. Dustin uses the Clik Small pack (sadly Clik is no longer around).
CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a99
• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX
