Jenny's Backcountry Hiking

I'm Jenny White, backcountry hiking girl. I hope you will like this site I've made about the backcountry.

MOSQUITO COILS
You only go camping without mosquito coils once.

FLASH LIGHT
Don't go camping in the back country without a very good flashlight, or two not so good ones.

SLEEPING BAG
You can get a cheap sleeping bag for about 25 bucks and it'll be just as warm as an expensive one, but it won't be as light and as compact when rolled up, that's the difference.

BACK PACK
Backpacks are very fashion sensitive items, lots of people get a new backpack because their old one isn't cool any more, if you're one of those people I can't help you, sorry. Buying a backpack is like buying shoes, you've got to try a bunch of different ones, and just like a good shoe it gets more and more comfortable the more you wear it. It adapts to your back over the years, so if you have a good old backpack that fits you well, keep it until it falls apart.

MULTI PURPOSE TOOL
Whether you're a Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool type of person you need to have a multi purpose tool with you.

TENT
Even if you're not planning on sleeping in a tent it is a good idea to bring one. Bad weather can develop very quickly and with a tent you have a shelter in a few minutes.

STOVE
Idiots bring fuel! If Neanderthals were still around they would laugh at people that bring fuel to the woods. Did you know that wood which is all over the place out in the woods actually burns, it was our main source of energy until about a hundred years ago when we switched to fossil fuels on a large scale. Get a Trailstove, it burns wood and is designed specifically for backcountry hiking.

1. FIND BRANCHES. Cut down two thickly vegetative branches 2-3 ft long (60-90 cm) from a fir or similar tree.

2. TIE STRING. Tie a string about 2 ft long (60 cm) around the base of the branch at a branching near the cut off end, in the branch.

3. TIE STRING AGAIN. Tie string again around the base but on the opposite side of the branching. This ensures that the string is fixed in any direction.

4. ATTACH TO SHOE. Tie string to the front of your shoe. Make sure it goes through the front shoe lace threading holes. Make sure all ends and sides of the branch are pointing up away from the ground.

5. ANGLE. Your shoe should be able to flip up to an angle of around 30 degrees. This is very important, the snowshoes must pivot around your toes and drag in the back. If the snow shoes don't pivot the front ends will go into the snow and you can't move forwards.

6. WALK. If you have done everything right you will be able to walk on the snow with your emergency snowshoes.

Capulin Volcano National Monument

Capulin Volcano, a nearly perfectly-shaped cinder cone, stands more than 1200 feet above the surrounding High Plains of northeastern New Mexico. The volcano is long extinct, and today the forested slopes provide habitat for mule deer, wild turkey, black bear and other wildlife. Abundant displays of wildflowers bloom on the mountain each summer. A 2-mile paved road spiraling to the volcano rim makes Capulin Volcano one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world. Trails leading around the rim and to the bottom of the crater allow a rare opportunity to easily explore a volcano.

Capulin Volcano erupted approximately 60,000 years ago with firework-like "rooster tails" of glowing hot cinders that flew through the air. Lava that flowed from vents located at the volcano's flank covered almost 16 square miles. Although no longer a volcano in action, Capulin Volcano remains a dramatic testament to the volcanic processes that shaped northeastern New Mexico. Capulin Volcano National Monument was established in 1916 to preserve this striking example of a volcanic cinder cone.

Over 65,000 people visit a year. Twentyfive to thirty percent of annual visitation occurs in July. During the summer, weekday and/or early morning or late afternoon visits are encouraged to avoid peak crowds.

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day. Winter hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day): 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. The Volcano Road is closed after park hours except on Friday and Saturday nights during July and August when it remains open until sunset.

Getting There
PLANE - Major airlines operate in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Amarillo. Albuquerque and Denver are approximately 270 miles from the monument. Colorado Springs and Amarillo are about 190 miles.

CAR - If traveling by car, the monument is located 33 miles east of Raton, NM, via US Highway 64/87 and 58 miles west of Clayton, NM, via the same highway. The park entrance is off New Mexico Highway 325, 3 miles north of the town of Capulin. Interstate 25 connects Raton with Denver, Colorado, from the north, and Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM, from the south.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no commercial transportation available to the park.

Weather & Climate
Elevations in the park range from approximately 7,000 feet to 8,182 feet on the crater rim. Summers are mild (highs in the mid-80s). Thunderstorms are common in July and August. Winters are cold, and blizzards may result in temporary park closures. Light jackets may be needed during the summer, and warm and layered clothing should be worn the rest of the year.

Accessibility
The Visitor Center, Nature Trail, and crater rim overlooks are accessible. The picnic area has accessible restrooms and picnic table. The video shown in the Visitor Center auditorium is captioned.

Getting Around
The Volcano Road, which leads to the rim, is approximately two miles long. Trailers, towed vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians are prohibited because the road is narrow and has no shoulders. The road is closed after park hours. Snow, ice accumulation, and/or severe thunderstorms can also close the Volcano Road. Current road conditions are available by calling monument headquarters.

The Crater Rim Trail is one mile and the Crater Vent Trail is 0.2 miles. The Lava Flow Trail at the base of the volcano is one mile.

Strollers are not allowed on the Crater Rim and Crater Vent Trails. A child carrier backpack is available for loan at the Visitor Center. Buses must be escorted on the narrow Volcano Road.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
EDUCATIONAL GROUPS
$Fee Waiver for One Time
Educational groups may apply for a waiver of park fees by writing the Superintendent prior to park visit. Fee waivers cannot be approved on site.

PER PERSON/MOTORCYCLE
$3.00 for 7 Days

PER PRIVATE VEHICLE
$5.00 for 7 Days

Local Passport
CAPULIN VOLCANO NM AND FT. UNION NM PASS
$10 for Annual
Pass Valid for entrance at Capulin Volcano National Monument and Fort Union National Monument . Valid for 12 months beginning with issue month.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
CAPULIN VOLCANO VISITOR CENTER
Location - 0.6 mile past the Monument entrance
Closures - The Volcano Road, which leads to the rim, is approximately two miles long. Trailers, towed vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians are prohibited because the road is narrow and has no shoulders. The road is closed after park hours. Snow, ice accumulation, and/or severe thunderstorms can also close the Volcano Road. Current road conditions are available by calling monument headquarters.
Special Programs - National Park Week is during the last week in April.
Exhibits - The visitor center contains exhibits about geology, natural history and human history of Capulin Volcano. A ten-minute video shown in the Visitor Center auditorium details the story of Capulin's eruption and the surrounding Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. A short Nature Trail is adjacent to the Visitor Center.
Available Facilities - A sales outlet, operated by Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, is located in the Visitor Center. Publications on geology, natural history, cultural history, and a wide selection of children's books are for sale.

MOSQUITO COILS		You only go camping without mosquito coils once.
FLASH LIGHT		Don't go camping in the back country without a very good flashlight, or two not so good ones.
SLEEPING BAG		You can get a cheap sleeping bag for about 25 bucks and it'll be just as warm as an expensive one, but it won't be as light and as compact when rolled up, that's the difference.
BACK PACK		Backpacks are very fashion sensitive items, lots of people get a new backpack because their old one isn't cool any more, if you're one of those people I can't help you, sorry. Buying a backpack is like buying shoes, you've got to try a bunch of different ones, and just like a good shoe it gets more and more comfortable the more you wear it. It adapts to your back over the years, so if you have a good old backpack that fits you well, keep it until it falls apart.
MULTI PURPOSE TOOL		Whether you're a Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool type of person you need to have a multi purpose tool with you.
TENT		Even if you're not planning on sleeping in a tent it is a good idea to bring one. Bad weather can develop very quickly and with a tent you have a shelter in a few minutes.
STOVE		Idiots bring fuel! If Neanderthals were still around they would laugh at people that bring fuel to the woods. Did you know that wood which is all over the place out in the woods actually burns, it was our main source of energy until about a hundred years ago when we switched to fossil fuels on a large scale. Get a Trailstove, it burns wood and is designed specifically for backcountry hiking.