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The Valles Caldera National Preserve is a New Mexico treasure. This glorious 89,000-acre haven is situated inside of a collapsed crater located in the Jemez Mountains. The area that equestrians may explore is a region of up to ten miles of forests and meadows following old logging trails.

I have been a long time admirer and advocate for this beautiful area. With many others I held my breath when this area, formerly known as the Baca Ranch, went up for sale.

President Clinton and the Congress thwarted land developers and this precious land became the Valles Caldera National Preserve in 2000.

In order to preserve and restore the land and its wildlife, the stewards of the Valles Caldera Trust have adopted a sciencebased management to monitor and manage the preserve. The goal is to leave “the lightest footprints on the land”.

The restrictions and regulations imposed for these reasons can be a deterrent to riders who enjoy blazing new trails. Some things to consider: a rider must first register and pay a twenty dollar fee, the gate to the equestrian area is opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, manure at the unloading site must be collected and transported home, and there are designated dismounts where high ties are located for the horses.

Still, the desire to experience riding this historic, beautiful New Mexico landscape called to me. Nancy and I left Corrales on an overcast morning in September and headed to the Jemez Mountain Scenic Byway, State Highway 4. Our trek was slow going as we encountered many steep grades. However, we arrived in plenty of time for the preserve gate opening at 9 a.m.

The number of horses on the trails is limited, which ensures the sense of a solitary ride experience. Two other riders from Los Alamos joined us as we waited. Ron Breines, the friendly and enthusiastic director of the equestrian program, greeted us promptly.

After unloading our horses at 8,400 feet elevation, we quickly realized the weather change. The overcast sky now produced rain mixed with hail and the temperature had dropped by at least ten degrees. However, we were soon energized by the positive comments made by the other riders. Cindy Mills, with her Arabian, Gamborr, has ridden in the area six times and told me, “I love it here. It’s really delightful.”

Volunteer rider Caroline Hall Young, described her duties of patrolling the area to assist riders and protect the area described her work and commented that, “It’s a privilege and an honor to be here.”

Rides vary from the one-mile City Slicker Cutoff to the ten-mile Duke Trail. Because of the weather, we combined the four-mile Weekend Rider Trail with the three-mile El Cajete Loop. The old logging trails date back to the early 1900’s and the footing was good and well-maintained, offering opportunities to trot and canter.

The clean air and solitude enveloped us as we rode the old logging road, which cuts through forests of Aspen and Ponderosa Pine and offers views of the Jemez Mountains. At one point the trail opened to a peaceful meadow. In the spring, the meadows are filled with lush tall grass and wildflowers. Also, it is not uncommon to spot a variety of wildlife. We learned from two other riders that they had spotted at least 50 elk grazing in a similar meadow east of us.

Ron Breines, director of the Preserve’s equestrian program, was excited about new developments within the preserve, expected to be in place in the spring of 2007. Overnight accommodations will be available at the lodge. It is a large circular building that has amazing views of the Valle Grande. The lodge has eight bedrooms, and each room has two double beds and a patio with a barbecue grill. Inside the lodge are a full kitchen and a cozy lounge area with a huge stone fireplace. The cost for a room at the lodge is $125/night. The horses are comfortably quartered in the paddocks where there are fifteen enclosed stalls and a few very large covered paddock areas. A few rooms, which may open for guests at a later date, are located close to the paddock area and also have views of the Valle Grande. The cost for these rooms will be approximately $75/night.

In addition to offering on-site lodging, Breines hopes to offer clinics for the 2007 season, including an Equestrian Program and a Cow Working Program. The director is also hoping to open the spectacular Valle Grande for riding every other Wednesday. Still in its infancy as a National Preserve and horseback riding paradise, the Valles Caldera is an evolving project that offers many possibilities for horse and rider.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit the website at www.valles.caldera.gov. This website also provides driving directions, a checklist for riders and a map of the trails. You may also contact the preserve by calling toll free 1-866-382-5537.