A clear running creek flowing and meandering in an expansive meadow in the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico during Summer of 2022.
Fun Facts:
Valles Caldera National Preserve is a 89,000-acre volcanic caldera located in northern New Mexico, within the Jemez Mountains, approximately 35 miles west of Santa Fe.
The caldera formed about 1.25 million years ago from a massive volcanic eruption that emptied a magma chamber and caused the ground to collapse, creating a broad, bowl-shaped depression roughly 13 miles across.
The preserve contains the Valle Grande — a wide, grassy meadow at the caldera floor — and smaller adjacent valleys like Valle San Antonio and El Cajete.
Elevations range from about 7,000 to over 11,000 feet, producing diverse ecosystems: montane grasslands, mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forests, and alpine habitats.
Wildlife includes elk (a significant herd that supports seasonal hunting), black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, and numerous bird species, including raptors and migratory songbirds.
The area has a long human history: ancestral Pueblo peoples left archeological traces; historic Native American and Spanish use continued through the colonial and U.S. periods.
Valles Caldera was privately owned for much of the 20th century as the Baca Ranch, then acquired by the federal government in 2000; it was managed by the National Park Service and Department of Energy for a time and established as a national preserve in 2015 under the National Park Service.
Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, scientific research, guided tours, and limited backcountry camping; some activities are subject to seasonal access and permit rules.
The preserve is also an active area for scientific study of volcanology, ecology, hydrology, and carbon cycling due to its recent volcanic history and diverse landscapes.
Weather is variable and can change rapidly; summers are mild with afternoon thunderstorms, and winters bring deep snow and cold temperatures—visitors should prepare for high-elevation conditions.
A clear running creek flowing and meandering in an expansive meadow in the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico during Summer of 2022.
Fun Facts:
Valles Caldera National Preserve is a 89,000-acre volcanic caldera located in northern New Mexico, within the Jemez Mountains, approximately 35 miles west of Santa Fe.
The caldera formed about 1.25 million years ago from a massive volcanic eruption that emptied a magma chamber and caused the ground to collapse, creating a broad, bowl-shaped depression roughly 13 miles across.
The preserve contains the Valle Grande — a wide, grassy meadow at the caldera floor — and smaller adjacent valleys like Valle San Antonio and El Cajete.
Elevations range from about 7,000 to over 11,000 feet, producing diverse ecosystems: montane grasslands, mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forests, and alpine habitats.
Wildlife includes elk (a significant herd that supports seasonal hunting), black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, and numerous bird species, including raptors and migratory songbirds.
The area has a long human history: ancestral Pueblo peoples left archeological traces; historic Native American and Spanish use continued through the colonial and U.S. periods.
Valles Caldera was privately owned for much of the 20th century as the Baca Ranch, then acquired by the federal government in 2000; it was managed by the National Park Service and Department of Energy for a time and established as a national preserve in 2015 under the National Park Service.
Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, scientific research, guided tours, and limited backcountry camping; some activities are subject to seasonal access and permit rules.
The preserve is also an active area for scientific study of volcanology, ecology, hydrology, and carbon cycling due to its recent volcanic history and diverse landscapes.
Weather is variable and can change rapidly; summers are mild with afternoon thunderstorms, and winters bring deep snow and cold temperatures—visitors should prepare for high-elevation conditions.
Image Dimensions: 8500 x 5702 px
Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve In NM
Note: This image is exclusive to this site. © 2022 Ray Redstone
