El Malpais National Monument—where sharp lava meets smooth sandstone—is a large natural area south of Grants, NM. A huge lava flow fills most of the wide valley. The combination of aa and pahoehoe lava makes foot travel difficult, but the Continental Divide Trail crosses through the area. We hiked a couple of miles on the CDT as well as enjoying sandstone features such as the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook and La Ventana Natural Arch.