Ever stood inside an ancient volcano? Capulin Volcano in northeastern New Mexico erupted about 60,000 years ago, spewing lava across the high plains and shaping what’s now the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. The cinder cone rises over 1,300 feet above the plains, and you can actually drive up to the rim and hike around the crater’s edge for a full panoramic view of extinct vents, lava flows, and eroded cones stretching for miles. A perfect reminder that even the quietest landscapes were once alive

Had the opportunity to stop and hike to the top of Capulin Volcano National Monument today. The national Park service is still closed so they had the road access up to the crater rim locked. Bummer! I had to hike 2 miles up the volcano before even getting to the crater and the rim to hike around it. It was a long 7 1/2 miles 😳 But it was a great hike, left there and drove the rest of the day, and I have settled in for the night in a camp spot at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Wish