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The backcountry byway C-42 is not in the best condition and is ONLY safely traveled in 4-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle with aggressive tires and decent ground clearance. (If you get stuck out here with no immediate help, there's no cell service and it's a LONG way back to civilization.) Travel time between hwy 117 and 53 on backcountry byway is about 2-2.5 hours. Chain-of-Craters is a much older volcanic field than El Malpais and many cinder/scoria cones and lava tubes can be accessed in the area.