Alamo Boundary to Coyote Call (Valles Caldera)

Alamo Boundary is a short out and back trail starting off the Dome Road (Forest Service 289).  About a 5 mile round trip can be made by adding Coyote Call Trail (on the Valles Caldera National Preserve).  This is a relatively easy trail with some uphill coming back.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

29 seconds

This area was heavily burned in the 2011 Las Conchas Fire but vegetation is returning rapidly.

 

Duration:

36 seconds

A short distance along the trail there is an elk pond. It's a good place to see birds and in spring to hear chorus frogs.

 

Duration:

14 seconds

Watch for water striders in the water of the pond.

 

Alamo Boundary is a very slow uphill.  Open meadow in some places and forested in others.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

24 seconds

This trail is a great place to see how aspens are recovering from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire. Some old mixed conifers remain from before the fire and add some very welcome shade.

 

Duration:

50 seconds

This red squirrel seems as curious about hikers as they are of him.

 

Duration:

32 seconds

If you do this full loop you will be in two different NPS sites. The rules are not the same for Bandelier and the Valles Caldera so be aware of the expectations.

 

A wide variety of flowers bloom on Alamo Boundary and Coyote Call trails.

photos by Sally King

 

Duration:

23 seconds

The Coyote Call Trail offers amazing views into the Valles Caldera. Lots of pretty flowers here too.

 

Duration:

20 seconds

Tiger Swallowtails are one of the largest butterflies in the area. There are two kinds: two tailed and Western.

 

A view into the Valles Caldera from Coyote Call trail.

photo by Sally King

 

Rocky Mountain clematis adds color as it twines across other vegetation.

photo by Sally King

 

Western Baneberry

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

20 seconds

Another amazing view of the Valles Caldera with bird song.

 

Duration:

17 seconds

A male reakirt's Blue butterfly tries to impress a female.

 

Yellow evening primrose look a lot like sundrops and other evening primroses.  The diversity of life is amazing.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

36 seconds

The trail parallels highway 4 in this section with many opportunities to view the Valles. Remember what you are seeing is only a small part of the full caldera preserve.

 

Duration:

27 seconds

This is the steepest uphill part of these trails. This area was heavily burned. There are lots of dead standing trees so not a good place to be on a windy day.