Makhtesh Ramon - A Crater

We visited Makhtesh Ramon with the faculty and service couples. We've been to the crater many times with students, but Kent wanted to go down into the crater. We hired guides and vehicles to take us. The crater was in the pathway for the ancient spice trail. We were able to see where the caravans crossed the crater and ascended the side. Kent had travelled to this location with the filming crew for Journey of Faith and The Golden Road.

Here is a more complete description of the site:

"Makhtesh Ramon is a geologists’ paradise with fossils, rock formations and volcanic and magmatic phenomenon dating back as much as 220 million years. The Ramon crater began forming when the ocean that covered the desert began to move north. Water and other climatic forces slowly began to flatten the curve on top. Much later, the Arava rift valley was formed and the rivers began to change their flow. As this occurred, it carved out the crater. The crater is about 1,650 feet (500 m.) deep. Some rocks at the bottom of the crater can be dated back 220 million years. A black hill in the north, Giv'at Ga'ash, was once an active volcano. Also, vertical dikes of magnum which squeezed upward through fissures can be seen at various spots through the makhtesh. The lowest spot in the crater, Ein Saharonim, contains its only natural water source. From the visitor’s center, it is possible to get a spectacular panoramic view of the crater."
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Ramon.html

A view of the crater floor. Imagine hundreds of camels travelling through here.

A look-out spot on top of a peak.

The camels made trails through the valley that are stream beds today.

We climbed from down there to up here.

Our group striding out

This is the route the caravans took to get out of the crater. There is actually a switchback trail.

The vehicles were very sturdy. I doubt that our guide's wife rides in his vehicle.

Our mode of transportation

Our other mode of transportation

Our guide.