1.25 million years ago the volcano erupted. The blast was 300 times more powerful than Mount Saint Helen’s 1980 eruption.

Valles Caldera National Preserve (est. 2000) was first visited by Paleoindians in search of obsidian (volcanic glass) for arrowhead points. Later settled by ancient Puebloans (800 years ago), then Spanish settlers (1500s) and eventually became cattle land for the Baca Family Ranch. Wildfires in 2011 and 2013 torched the area and today it sees a spectacular rebirth of flora and wildlife.