An Inspired Cook

The Valles Caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption that happened over a million years ago which created a volcanic depression in the earth approximately 14 miles wide in diameter. Located in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, it is now a beautiful valley known for it’s huge grassland meadows, the East Fork Jemez River and hiking trails. It is also a wildlife preserve and home to the 2nd largest elk population in New Mexico. You might see prairie dogs that pop up along the road to the Valle Grande entrance station or a coyote strolling through the grassy meadow. There are numerous hiking trails in and around the preserve but if you want to hike or backpack in the backcountry you will need a pass or a code to drive to the backcountry trails. They only allow a few vehicles in the backcountry per day. Check in with the entrance station or reserve a pass online. Over the past 5 years we’ve visited the Valles Caldera numerous times and each time is a different experience. Sometimes it’s sunny, sometimes foggy or low lying clouds in the valley. Depending on the rainfall, the meadow can be gorgeous green or a dull wheat color. We love to go in late Spring and early Summer when the wildflowers are in bloom. This is one of our favorite places to get away. Here’s a fun fact: If you’ve ever seen the tv show “Longmire”, you might recognize the cabin and stables where Walt Longmire’s ranch scenes were filmed. While the series took place in Absaroka County, Wyoming, it was actually filmed in NM. The Sherriff office and town scenes were filmed in Las Vegas, NM. I hope you will enjoy some of our adventures over the past few years exploring the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Valles Caldera National Preserve

Follow the road to the Valle Grande entrance station. Make sure to drive slow and watch for all the prairie dogs that will greet you along the way.

Our most recent visit was in June. We hiked the Hidden Valley Trail which took us by this old cabin which is known as the Missing Cabin because it was used in the 2003 Ron Howard film “The Missing” starring Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett.

We couldn’t resist a closer look.

A lone tree along the trail.

As we get further along the trail it we came across the East Fork Jemez River. We walked along the river for the duration of the trail.

We saw fly fisherman along the river. It always reminds me of my dad taking me fishing up in the mountains.

This was the perfect spot for a reflection photo.

This trail provided tranquility of flowing water and ample shade from the trees for an enjoyable hike.

The tree sculpture that captured my heart and imagination.

The leaning tree that defies the odds.

The sun was aglow over these trees.

The Hidden Valley Trail turned out to be one of the most beautiful trails we’ve hiked in Valles Caldera.

Walt Longmire’s cabin from the tv series “Longmire”.

Longmire Ranch.

The wildflowers . . .

In 2020 on a rainy foggy morning we got up early and drove to the preserve. The grasslands were so green as the fog rolled in. It was haunting but somehow uplifting as we were going through the height of the pandemic. Getting away from all the worries at that time was the one thing we truly needed and our daytrip to the preserve was a memory I will never forget.

Just south of the turnoff to the preserve there is a pullover spot for elk viewing. We always stop but rarely see them. On this day, however, there was a small herd grazing in the distance.