Capulin Volcano National Monument

On our latest trip, Donna and I returned to one of our favorite gaming destinations -- Cripple Creek, Colorado. Now, Donna and I have different interests. She likes gambling, while I like seeing new places, especially if they deal with history in some way. So usually on these trips, we spend a few days in Cripple Creek and then a few days exploring new places along the way.

We left our home last Wednesday morning (July 10). We usually make our way up to Raton, NM, where we spend our first night. On previous trips, we had noted an unusual "mountain" along the way, so this time, we decided to stop and do a bit of exploring.

Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in the northeast corner of New Mexico, just north of the village of Capulin. The volcano is an extinct cinder cone volcano, and it is clearly visible from US 87 for several miles. The monument is part of the national parks system, and we were able to get in using our National Parks Pass. Please note that there is no camping available within the park, and there are restrictions in place regarding length and size of vehicles that wish to drive the road to the top. Please take these restrictions seriously, as the road to the top of the volcano is challenging. For me, it was downright terrifying.

Capulin Volcano as seen from US 87, about 4 miles away. The horizontal line across the middle of the volcano is the road that spirals to the top. The visitor center/headquarters is on the left side.

After a brief stop at the visitor center to check in, we began the spiral drive up the volcano. There is no guard rail on the down side of the road, and the view is spectacular. At the top, you can view into the crater of the volcano and explore the area. There are great views from the top looking out from the southwest to the north.

Visitor Center/Headquarters near base of volcano.

Donna standing at edge of parking lot at the top of the volcano. This view looks west.

Donna used smelling salts to revive me after the terrifying drive to the top, then propped me up for this picture. The view looks southwest. After an hour or so, I was able to loosen my limbs enough to walk around.

This photo is from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. This aerial view clearly shows the crater at center of volcano, as well as spiral road leading from visitor center at bottom. The parking lot at top is located almost exactly at the center of the bottom lip of the crater. You can barely discern the end of the road leading there. 

Crater of the volcano

The maximum elevation of the volcano is 8,182 feet. The elevation of the nearby town of Capulin is 6,844 feet. That means that the volcano rises somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,338 feet above the surrounding ground.

This photo was snapped as soon as we started our descent. Notice there is no guard rail on the down side of the slope. I don't like that!

Nothing to our left except space, and lots of it.

I believe this is Sierra Grande Mountain, which reaches 8,720 feet. It is to the southeast of Capulin.

Almost at the bottom. You can see the approach road lower left. I do not know the name of the mountain in the distance.

Close up of Capulin Volcano, taken from the approach road. You can barely make out the spiral road starting at lower right of volcano.

Following our ride up and down the volcano, we continued on to Raton, where we checked in to our hotel, enjoyed some sandwiches from the Arby's next door, and settled in for the night so that we would be rested for the next day.