Driving and Hiking an Ancient Supervolcano, Valles Caldera National Preserve

After getting off Rt 126 I headed east towards Espanola and originally intended to visit Bandera National Monument. However, on the drive I drove past Valles Caldera National Preserve and could not resist its draw! I had to go.
Campsite after the hike
Coordiates: 35.835696, -106.374410
Altitude: 8156ft
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hiking, overlanding, new mexico

[@larrylamb6377]

Back in 2018 I participated in a Sierra Club service vacation where we surveyed the fish in the creeks located in Valles Caldera. It was a great experience, but I plan to go back this year, hopefully, and hike some of the trails.I really enjoyed your video. It convinced me that I'm missing something worth seeing. My only issue will be altitude. I'm coming from Orlando, FL. I think I'll spend a couple of days either at Bandelier or Chaco to acclimate myself. Thanks again for producing the video. 🙂

[@dianespears6057]

Thank you.

[@barbarataychert4910]

Your enthusiasm is contagious. Great footage.

[@Slowhiker-xw2kp]

New Mexico is a wonderful place!!!!! Can't wait to get back there for the final life episode!

[@edwardsbarbara25]

So lovely!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!

[@kendallt2020]

hey jay i find myself watching you with more appreciation every video. you really have the music on point for the scenes,

[@highcurrent1125]

Beautiful place...wow!

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Nicely done. Thanks.

[@chrispiatt2235]

Hey Jay, really cool you got to see that. My girlfriend and I drove through/along that unwittingly like a decade ago and were stunned by its size and beauty. I remember seeing these teenie black specks inside of it and then realizing they were cattle and it really put the scale into perspective. Anyhow, very cool place. Thanks for showing it to us again.

[@JayWandersOut]

Huge right? I found out the national park service only recently bought it from private owners and the the originals owners are allowed to raise cattle there. It's a win for both parties and especially for us since we now have access to this wonder.

[@glo_glo488]

Amazing view/adventure 💯🤗

[@takingawalkadventures]

the valles caldera is absolutely beautiful the views are amazing jay awesome video. new Mexico has some great places to check out and explore

[@waynemoosman2127]

As someone who is becoming more and more addicted to all things NM CDT, watching your last few videos has been awesome. The VC is one of my all time favorite places. Thank you. Now that you've been there, I recommend you watch (or rewatch) the 2003 Tommy Lee Jones movie The Missing (see if you recognize the old home/movie prop right near the entrance), and also the TV series Longmire (Longmire's cabin).

[@JayWandersOut]

Wow, I didn't think that some movies may have been filmed there. I'll ha e to check those out. Beautiful place! So unknown too.

[@mrdan322]

Much of the Caldera used to be ranch land for a man named Dunnigan. I could be off on the name a bit. But in the 60s and 70s you could see thousands of head of cattle grazing. Clinton made it a Natural Preserve in the 90s.

[@randysmith6493]

Neat, pretty, Where are all the wilder beast and lions, zebras and giraffes and stuff. it is mind boggling, 13 miles. in contrast Yellowstone caldera is 43x28 miles.

[@JayWandersOut]

Yeah when Yellowstone blows it'll be a rough one all right. By the way I've been watching your recent videos and they're awesome! You had a sudden leap in quality there.

[@randysmith6493]

@@JayWandersOut A flying leap like a Mini 2 :) . Still can’t a afford a Osmo , but maybe an iphone 13 later, I do need stabilization. Thanks ! You do need come this way There is a full summer of majestic mountains, trails, moose and bear. Nice your watching out for Tina.

[@JayWandersOut]

I had the Osmo Pocket with me on the AZT but found my Samsung S21 video stabilization was quite amazing. It only stabilizes 1080p but it was good enough I didn't use the Osmo for the hike. I think the latest generation of phones have finally caught up with stabilization. Audio is still the concern though so I use a lav mic with a wind muf when it's windy at all.

[@dougdekuiper3194]

👍

[@thomasmosch8113]

Have you ever visited Tent Rocks, New Mexico 87025, USA pretty close to where you were in the caldera video, stunning short hike

[@JayWandersOut]

It was on my list if places to visit but I didn't have the time. There are a few other Monuments I wanted to visit as well but didn't. Some other year.

[@maryleonard6381]

The meadow is in the ancient caldera?

[@JayWandersOut]

Yep! Super wide open grassy meadows with meandering streams running through here and there. It's pretty wild.

[@laurenbouchie2394]

I would try apple cider vinegar for your feet just soak them . If that doesn't work you need to see a foot dr...