They wouldn't let me wheel here!

[rotorhed1]

took a long weekend last week. Went to visit friends in Payson AZ. I took the long way and stopped at the Meteor Crater outside of Winslow. I've been driving past the exit for over 20 years, and have flown over the crater several times. Well worth the time if you ever get the chance. It is thought that it was a 150 foot meteor traveling at 26,000 MPH!

The other pic is of my FJ at my friends place in Payson. Had a great time. The lifted rig handled so well at 80 MPH on I 40, and the twisty roads around Payson.

[tibaal89]

Wow, how 'bout that. I'll have to check that out next time I'm up that way, that's crazy!

[FJoel]

I've always wondered... what happened to the meteor? That sucker was so big it obviously didn't all disintegrate. Did they truck it off in pieces or did it bounce back into space?

Thanks for the pics! Now I wanna see it in person.

[rotorhed1]

FJoel previously said:

I've always wondered... what happened to the meteor? That sucker was so big it obviously didn't all disintegrate. Did they truck it off in pieces or did it bounce back into space?

Thanks for the pics! Now I wanna see it in person.

I was told by the tour guide that most of it vaporized, that is just so much energy! They had on display where I got to touch a chunk that weighs over 1000 pounds, the larged piece found. I bought a very small piece to send to my nephew, who is studying to be a geologist. For many years there was an active mining operation at the bottom of the crater. The meteor was 90 % iron, 5 % nickle and traces of other elements. NASA still trains astronauts there, as well as testing robots that explore Mars.

They are on the web and sell books and samples of the material.

Again I am glad I visited.

[rotorhed1]

A couple more things. The floor of the crater can hold 20 football fields, and 2 million people on the sides of the crater.

Also posted a larger photo and one of the larges piece found.

[Aslan]

Also interesting things to note:

everything within 100 miles died when the meteor struck.

Even though the crater is circular, the actual impact was on an angle and the largest chunks recovered were from a side wall.

The are around the crater has some decent elk herds and Anderson mesa isn't that far away, which has been a good antelope area in the past.

The raymond ranch buffalo reserve is nearby as well.

Looks to do and see around there if you know where to go. Plenty of trails and back roads to wheel on too!

[1911]

rotorhed1 previously said:

...stopped at the Meteor Crater outside of Winslow.

Any girls in flat-bed Fords?

The meteor crater is way cool; been there several times myself.

rotorhed1 previously said:

I bought a very small piece to send to my nephew, who is studying to be a geologist.

Good deal, he must be smart and handsome too!

[Tubig]

So if I touch it, will I turn into ...