West Malpais Wilderness Area

The West Malpais Wilderness is a landscape of volcanic lava flows, mostly flat, and encompasses three main ecotypes. The southeastern portion is a grassland with expansive views, the western area is a pinon-juniper woodland, and ponderosa pine is prevalent in the northern portion. The most distinctive landform is a 6,700-acre kipuka — a Hawaiian term meaning island of fertile ground — in the north part of the wilderness, called Hole-In-The-Wall. Ponderosa pines are sprinkled through the grassland of the kipuka, which is ringed by a sea of broken, jagged basalt. The wilderness lies within the El Malpais National Conservation Area. The BLM manages it to protect its unique wilderness characteristics, primitive recreation opportunities, solitude, and mostly undeveloped country.