Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico, June 13, 2021
On our way to Manitou Springs, we took a small side excursion as we were running a tad early for checking in. We normally try to get in some walks during a long driving day. This walk was different from most that find along our way.
We took the 1-mile trail around the rim. It’s paved and a bit steep in places. We were glad we went the direction we did as it worked out that the longest steepest grade of the loop trail was downhill for us.
The National Monument, located in northeastern New Mexico, protects and interprets an extinct cinder cone volcano and is part of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. A paved road spirals gradually around the volcano and visitors can drive up to a parking lot at the rim of the extinct volcano. Hiking trails circle the rim as well as lead down into the mouth of the volcano. The monument was designated on August 9, 1916, and is administered by the National Park Service. The volcano is located 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) north of the village of Capulin.
The parking lot at the top is small. If it’s full, the rangers at the visitor center place each new parties wanting to go up on a waitlist and call when parking spots open up.
Rocky mountain raspberry (aka delicious raspberry, boulder raspberry, snowy bramble; botanical name rubus deliciosus)
