Valles Caldera

https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valles_Caldera_National_Preserve The Valles Caldera National Preserve is located in northeastern Sandoval County and southern Rio Arriba County, just west of Los Alamos. It protects a large portion of the Valles Caldera, an area of significant geological, ecological and cultural interest. About 1.25 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 13-mile wide circular depression now known as the Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history. From Jemez Springs, NM: Follow NM-4 north. The Preserve is about 22 miles from Jemez Springs. Look for the Main Gate and signs at Mile Marker 39.2. From Los Alamos, NM: Take Trinity Drive to Diamond. Take a left on Diamond, then a right on West Jemez Road to the intersection with NM-4. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument], following the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains. The Preserve is 18 miles up NM-4 from Los Alamos. Look for the Main Gate and signs at Mile Marker 39.2. Valle Grande Entrance Station The Valle Grande Entrance Station has interpretive displays and information, offers park store collectibles, books, and preserve-related items for sale, issues recreational permits, has nearby accessible unisex vault toilet restrooms, and serves as a fee collection site. The entrance station is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas days. General hours are: Summer- 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Winter- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Staff is available during operating hours to provide assistance. From Jemez Springs: Take NM- 4 State Road north for about 22 miles. Main entrance is at mile marker 39.2. Travel two miles down dirt road to visitor center. From Los Alamos, NM: Take West Jemez Road to NM-4 State Road. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument], follow the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains. The Preserve is 18 miles up NM-4 State Road from Los Alamos. Main entrance is at mile marker 39.2. Travel two miles down dirt road to visitor center. Valles Caldera Ranger Station Located on the edge of the historic cabin district, the modern structure looks like a log cabin so it fits in with the surrounding historic structures. Rangers provide programs, information and help to visitors. A sales area offers park-related clothing, gift items, and books for purchase. Limited snack and beverage items are for sale. The building is NOT accessible. There are NO public restrooms in this building. From Jemez Springs, NM travel north on NM-4 23 miles. The entrance has a gate and signs on your left. From Los Alamos, NM travel west on NM-4 18 miles. The entrance has a gate and signs on your right. San Antonio Cabin San Antonio cabin under a mostly cloudy sky San Antonio Cabin often housed cowboys when the preserve was privately-owned and operating as a ranch. Elk Bulls Fighting Two bull elk fighting. The fall elk rut is a big attraction for visitors to see bull elk sparing and to hear the bulls bugle. Wide Open Views of Valles Caldera Scattered clouds over landscape view of winding river and brown grasslands The views of Valles Caldera are some of nature's best Wildlife Wonders of Valles Caldera Photo of young bobcat looking at the camera Bobcats, eagles, elk, and black bears call the Valles Caldera home. Wild Turkey hens and a tom too! Forest floor with three hen turkeys and a tom turkey fanning his tail in display Birding in the Preserve can be very rewarding! High altitude Landscapes Landscape view with grasses, a pond, fir trees, and a mountain background Hiking opportunities abound in the Valles Caldera. Valles Caldera Rainbow A rainbow coming down across a grassy valley with a pine tree. As thunderstorms roll over the caldera, they leave colorful rainbows. Fall Color in Valles Caldera Aspen tree trunks with golden fall leaf color above Visiting the Valles Caldera in fall offers wildlife and colorful viewing National Park Getaway: Valles Caldera National Preserve Among the newest additions to the National Park System, the 88,900-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve is a surprising gem at the top of the Jemez Mountains in north-central New Mexico that helps earn the state its motto—“The Land of Enchantment.” Horseback riders NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. [Site Under Development] valley and fall trees Prescribed Burns Planned on Valles Caldera National Preserve Fire managers are planning to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecasted weather, to conduct prescribed burns within Valles Caldera National Preserve during October 1 through December 31. The exact dates will depend on conditions on the ground. Prescribed Burns to Begin on Valles Caldera National Preserve Given favorable conditions, fire managers will begin prescribed burn operations within Valles Caldera National Preserve starting October 17. Burn operations are expected to last a few days, but smoke may be visible through next week. Map depicting prescribed burn area for Fall of 2019 in Valles Caldera National Preserve. Wildland Fire in Douglas Fir: Western United States Douglas fir is widely distributed throughout the western United States, as well as southern British Columbia and northern Mexico. Douglas fir is able to survive without fire, its abundantly-produced seeds are lightweight and winged, allowing the wind to carry them to new locations where seedlings can be established. Close-up of Douglas fir bark and needles. Valles Caldera National Preserve Acquires Property with Unique Volcanic Features Valles Caldera National Preserve Acquires Property with Unique Volcanic Features Volcanic features surrounded in forest. Wildland Fire in Ponderosa Pine: Western United States This forest community generally exists in areas with annual rainfall of 25 inches or less. Extensive pure stands of this forest type are found in the southwestern U.S., central Washington and Oregon, southern Idaho and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Recently burned ponderosa pine forest. 'Mantén Viva la Llama' - 'Keep the Flame Alive!' Mantén Viva la Llama' --'Keep the Flame Alive!’ describes the theme of the Spanish Language Training Exchange (TREX) held near Santa Fe, New Mexico in October of 2019. The two week TREX program brings diverse fire practitioners from many Spanish speaking countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain, together to build skills in prescribed fire, fire management, and fire ecology. monitoring surface vegetation Valle Grande Prescribed Fire An Ecological Success On May 11 & 12, 2016 the National Park Service (NPS) fire staff, along with many interagency partners, was able to successfully implement a prescribed fire in the Valle Grande of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The blackened Valle Grande will turn a rich green with the late spring moisture and will attract wildlife, especially elk. Firefighter ignites prescribed burn with a driptorch Valles Caldera National Preserve Plans Fall Prescribed Burns to Reduce Fuels Loads, Improve Forest Resilience The National Park Service is planning to initiate prescribed fires in the southwest corner of Valles Caldera National Preserve later this fall to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier, more resilient forest and watershed ecosystems. Fire creeping at along the ground through a thinned ponderosa pine forest. Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display at a visitor center Series: National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geoheritage-conservation.htm">geoheritage</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geodiversity.htm">geodiversity</a> resources and values all across the National Park System to support science-based management and education. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1088/index.htm">NPS Geologic Resources Division</a> and many parks work with National and International <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/park-geology.htm">geoconservation</a> communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available. park scene mountains Quaternary Period—2.58 MYA to Today Massive ice sheets advanced and retreated across North America during much of the Quaternary, carving landscapes in many parks. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve contains geologic evidence of lower sea level during glacial periods, facilitating the prehistoric peopling of the Americas. The youngest rocks in the NPS include the lava of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the travertine at Yellowstone National Park, which can be just a few hours old. fossil bone bed and murals of mammoths Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display in a visitor center