On a clear day, visitors can see mountains and volcanoes over 80 miles away
NPS Photo/Melissa Weih
One of the fundamental resources and values identified in the foundation document for Capulin Volcano National Monument is the scenic and historic viewshed that includes "unobstucted panoramic views of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field and traces of overland trails of historic importance that are possible along Volcano Road and the Crater Rim Trail" at the top of the volcano. On clear days, it's possible to view mountains around 80 miles away from the top of Capulin Volcano. Though the monument itself is small, the surrounding area is mostly rural ranchland, so the views are mostly unimpeded by manmade stuctures. The extent of the lava flows from Capulin Volcano as well as the pressure ridges created by those lava flows are readily visible on the prairie that extends out from the base of the volcano. When hiking the Crater Rim Trail to the topmost point of Capulin Volcano, mountains in Colorado, volcanoes in New Mexico, Black Mesa in Oklahoma, and land beyond Rabbit Ear Mountain in Texas can be seen when the air is clear. Besides these four states, the scenic views at the top of Capulin Volcano show visitors the contrast between the pinon-juniper forested sides of some volcanic areas and shortgrass prairie that covers much of the land between the volcanoes.
