Hell's Half Acre

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Geological Significance · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A complete run over an ancient lava flow. Trails in this area are marked by poles placed intermittently along the way.

Dogs are allowed, but I wouldn't recommend it for dogs or any other animals. Most dogs will get jittery around the cracks you'll want them to jump over and the rocks are sharp. Keep a close eye on small children for the same reasons and to keep them from falling into dangerous areas.

I wouldn't recommend running on this trail. There is a lot of cactus, loose rocks, and the trail can be difficult to follow when you are trying to run. Lava rock tends to be very sharp and unforgiving on your shoes (and on your skin if you fall). Altogether, it is high risk of injury for runners.

Begin by following the one-mile loop on the Hell's Half Acre Lava Walk (blue-topped poles) in either direction. There are a few red and blue marked poles where the Vent Trail splits off of the one-mile loop. The rest of the Vent Trail is marked with red poles. There are a few places where the trail is marked with painted rocks or trees so keep a sharp eye. Be careful to stay on the trail because everything looks the same so it is easy to get lost.

The trail markers guide you around the worst of the obstacles, but there are still large cracks to cross and occasional places where you have to scramble. Don't be fooled by the average grade, there are some tough spots on this trail!

Juniper trees, wildflowers, sagebrush and prickly pear cactus are common. Look down in the cracks and you can see ferns. Deer, rabbits, various types of rodents, birds and snakes. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes; they are rare, but I have encountered them on occasion.