Valles Caldera Snowshoe

The Valles Caldera National Preserve, about to become a National Park, is the location of an old filled-in volcano. Caldera means "kettle" in Spanish. Imagine a very large idyllic meadow (Valle Grande) rimmed on the edges. The mount above, in the middle of the Valle Grande is called Redondo Peak and is considered a sacred mountain by native tribes in the region. Because of its vast expance of flat and hilly terrain, the Valle Grande attracts cross-country skiers and snowshoers alike. (Besides being an attraction for skiers, hikers and tourists, the Valle Caldera is also a money-making cattle ranch and the location of scientific and archeological digs.)



No need to stay on groomed trails. Here is Jim blazing trail in snow that was over a foot deep. (Yes, it is hard work and we took turns.)

View from the southwest edge of the Caldera with an old western movie set called "Missing Movie Set" in the background.

We saw a number of animal tracks, birds, elk, deer, cayotes and, of course, dogs. Any guess about what the tracks above could be? Rabbit?