Cerro La Jara Stop 1

The new Cerro La Jara Trailhead.

NPS

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?