New Mexico · Hiking · Near Santo Domingo Pueblo

Cerro La Jara Stop 1

Cerro La Jara Stop 1Photo: NPS
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Cerro La Jara Stop 1 open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Valles Caldera National Preserve.

As of · Source: NPS · Valles Caldera National Preserve. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Welcome to the Cerro La Jara Trail in Valles Caldera National Preserve. This trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and will likely take 1 to 2 hours to complete. The elevation change is small – about 50 feet. Leashed pets are permitted on this trail, but please ensure that your pet maintains a safe distance from wildlife as you hike. Take some drinking water with you and as always, be aware of your surroundings and the weather. This tour will focus on the geology you see, and help you imagine some you can’t see. If you are hiking this trail in the winter, some of the rocks might not be visible due to snow cover. From the northern edge of the Entrance Station parking lot (near the solar panels), find the brown trail post and follow the trail across the road. When you reach the trail intersection on the opposite side of the road, turn left and continue to Stop 2. As you walk, look around at the rocks and landforms. What do you see? Bienvenido al sendero Cerro La Jara en la Reserva Nacional Valles Caldera. Este sendero tiene una longitud aproximada de 2.4 km y se tarda entre 1 y 2 horas en completarlo. El desnivel es pequeño, de unos 15 metros. Se admiten mascotas con correa en este sendero, pero asegúrese de que su mascota mantenga una distancia segura con la fauna silvestre mientras camina. Lleve agua potable y, como siempre, esté atento a su entorno y al clima. Esta excursión se centrará en la geología que se puede ver y le ayudará a imaginar lo que no se puede ver. Si recorre este sendero en invierno, es posible que algunas de las rocas no sean visibles debido a la capa de nieve. Desde el extremo norte del estacionamiento de la estación de entrada (cerca de los paneles solares), busque el poste marrón que indica el sendero y siga el camino que cruza la carretera. Cuando llegue al cruce del sendero al otro lado de la carretera, gire a la izquierda y continúe hasta la parada 2. Mientras camina, observe y la geográfia. ¿Qué ve?

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Camp May

    Campground

    Campground · 6.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Pig + Fig

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Santo Domingo Pueblo
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Cerro La Jara Stop 1

    Best months: May–June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 9°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 20°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 25°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 32°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 39°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 45°

      15 wet

    8. Aug

      71° / 43°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 35°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 17°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 9°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos 13 W, NM, 1.7 mi away at 8,716 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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