We stopped for a couple nights in Raton, NM, on our way from Albuquerque, NM, to Colorado Springs, CO. Most people just overnight there, but we opted to stay an extra night, giving us a longer break. Plus, we were very happy to find a car wash with an outdoor bay that would accommodate our dusty, dirty rig.
Originally, I had toyed with exploring the roads to the Taos and Angel Fire areas by Jeep. We'd have a better idea of what to expect if we ever took the bus that way. There are some high-end RV resorts in that area. The roads can't be that bad, can they?
At any rate, after checking the driving time to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains area, we opted instead for a more leisurely drive to Capulin Volcano National Monument. There is a visitor center at the base as well as a couple of hikes. You can drive to a parking area at the top and then take a one mile hike around the rim.
The rim trail is paved, but don't let that fool you. With a 12% grade on a portion and an altitude ranging from 7800 to 8200 feet, you can find yourself huffing and puffing more than you'd think. We experienced high winds when we were there too. I found myself actually being pushed from time to time. However, the 360° views were amazing. So, despite the wind, we were glad we took the time for the hike.
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| Lava flow views |
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| Lightning Strike damage |
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| Peeking down into the cone |
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| Going down the trail |
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