We have driven by Amboy Crater before, but never hiked it as we were on our way elsewhere. But this time, we took a day trip to Amboy from our campsite in Mojave National Preserve near Hole-in-the-Wall, where we were dispersed camping about 4 miles from the campground there.
 | In the town of Amboy stands the iconic Route 66 sign for Roy's Motel, which still stands but is vacant. Current population of Amboy is 1 - the owner of the gas station, convenience store and motel, which he is remodelling, hoping to re-open if water problems can be resolved. Amboy is one of 10 towns established by the railroad, then the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, as a stop along the east-west route. They are named in alphabetical order from west to east - Amboy, Bristol (now Bengal), Cadiz, Danby, Edson (now Essex), Fenner, Goffs, Homer, Ibis, and Java. RVers can dry camp across from the motel for a small nightly fee. Amboy Crater is in the background, between the supports of the sign. |
 | Amboy is a young crater, its last eruption occurring about 10,000 years ago. It is 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in diameter, and composed of cinder and ash. The crater is 1.1 miles from the parking/day use area, followed by an 80 foot climb up steep switchbacks on the west side. |
 | Brad on the switchbacks, looking west. The lava flow is made up of basalt rich in magnesium, iron and calcium, with a few olivine crystals strewn throughout. Amboy Crater is located near the southern end of the lava field of the Barstow-Bristol Trough which is approximately 110 miles long. |
 | From the rim trail, I am looking into the crater where Brad is talking to a couple with their dog. The hike around the crater rim is about 1 mile long, and the views of the surrounding desert, lava flow and mountains is striking. |
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