Wild Trout Research in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico

The Trip

We will be working on meaningful environmental research at Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP), a spectacular location in northern New Mexico’s beautiful high country.

About 1.25 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption, 500 times greater than Mt. St Helens, created the 13.7-mile-wide circular depression now known as the Valles Caldera. It is the world’s best example of a resurgent caldera -- a circular volcano with an uplifted center floor, Redondo Peak. The rim of the caldera is around 10,500 feet and the grass valleys have a base level of 8,700 feet. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The valleys are grasslands, while the mountains are covered with coniferous forests and aspens. New Mexico’s largest herds of elk migrate through the caldera. Deer, black bear, and mountain lions are present, but rarely seen. Year-round raptor residence makes for fine bird-watching in the valleys.

Come join us in this new addition to our national park system for meaningful volunteer service work while staying in a unique setting in northern New Mexico’s beautiful high country!

The Project

Trout and native fish populations in the Valles Caldera National Preserve have undergone extreme fluctuations following the large wildfires in 2011 and 2013. Long-term population monitoring of fisheries has tracked the post-fire abrupt decline of trout populations and the accompanying increase in native non-game fish (due to the elimination of the predatory brown trout); recent data indicate that the trout populations are rebounding, and the native non-game fish populations are declining to pre-fire levels. Sierra Club volunteers will assist Valles Caldera biologists in sampling streams on the preserve using electro-shocking units to live-capture, measure, and release fish at numerous permanent stream monitoring locations across the preserve. Fish data, combined with data on aquatic invertebrates and water quality, are used by preserve staff to manage fisheries and track the changes in post-fire stream ecosystem health.

Additionally, we may have the opportunity to assist the caldera’s biologists in other research efforts. For example, completing an inventory of the Jemez Mountains salamander (an endangered species) or monitoring elk calves.

We will be picked up at our lodging each morning by the caldera’s staff and taken by truck to the various monitoring sites. We will may work together as a group, or be divided into smaller teams, each with a biologist. All equipment needed for the research will be provided, including fishing waders.

Day 1: On Sunday afternoon we will meet at the Hummingbird Music Camp in Jemez Springs.

Days 2-3: On Monday and Tuesday, we will have an early breakfast and then go by trucks into the caldera for our service project.

Day 4: Wednesday will be our choice day to hike, explore, or rest.

Days 5-6: On Thursday and Friday, we will continue work on our project.

Day 7: On Saturday, we will have breakfast at the lodge and say our goodbyes.

The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary to ensure the safety and well-being of the group.

Getting There

The nearest airports are the larger Albuquerque Sunport and the smaller Santa Fe Municipal Airport. There is no bus transportation to Jemez Springs. Driving time from Jemez Springs is approximately 75 minutes from Albuquerque or 55 minutes from Los Alamos. Renting a car and ride-sharing is the best way to get to our meeting spot. We will share the roster to help facilitate your making ride-sharing arrangements.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified by the leader to do so.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at Hummingbird Music Camp. We will have use of several rooms -- some have single beds and others are dorm rooms (male & female are separate). The first people to sign up will have the choice of a room or dorm (housing is not equal). We will have breakfast and dinner in the dining hall and the camp will provide packed lunches for us to take to our work sites. Our first meal on the premises will be dinner on day one, and our last meal will be breakfast on the last day.

Trip Difficulty

This will be a moderately strenuous trip. Be in good shape and prepared for lots of work and fun. Anyone who doesn't live in mountain/high desert environs must have a healthy respect for the altitude. We will be working at 8,000+ feet. A current up-to-date tetanus shot is required for this trip. To fully participate in this trip, an ongoing commitment to a regular aerobic training program is very helpful. There will be a hike of various lengths to our work sites each day with lots of bending and standing. Good physical conditioning and a flexible attitude are essential.

Equipment and Clothing

The leaders will provide an extensive equipment list, which includes essential items such as water bottles/hydration systems, rain gear, clothes for working and layering for warmth, and a personal first aid kit. You will also need shoes/boots that are well broken, but not broken down. The caldera staff will provide the work tools and transportation to the work sites.

References

Books:

• deBuys, William and Don J. Usner, Valles Caldera: A Vision for New Mexico’s National Preserve.
• Goff, Fraser, Valles Caldera: A Geologic History.
• Dubuis, William, Enchantment, and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range.

Map: 

• Dick Huelster and Kirt Kempter, Valles Caldera: Guide and Map.

Website:  

• https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm

Conservation

The use of the caldera dates back 11,000 years ago by Native American tribes that frequented the area for hunting and for obsidian, used for spear and arrow points. Spanish, Mexican, and Navajo settlers used the caldera seasonally for grazing. The caldera became part of the Baca Ranch in 1876. Since then it has had a string of private owners. In the Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2000 created the Valles Caldera National Preserve administered by a trust and board of directors. It became part of the national park system in September 2015.

As one of the newer National Park areas, the VCNP has been going through changes and planning for how to best preserve the area. Research into wildland ecology and building reliable data make crucial planning more factual and informed for land managers. Concerned volunteers, like us, who partner with conservation agencies in land stewardship, help ensure that this legacy of wild lands will continue for future generations.

The Pueblo of Jemez (pronounced “Hay-mess” or traditionally as “He-mish”) is one of the 19 pueblos located in New Mexico. It is a federally recognized American Indian tribe with 3,400 tribal members, most of whom reside in a Puebloan village that is known as “‘Walatowa” (a Towa word meaning “this is the place”). Walatowa is located in North-Central New Mexico, within the southern end of the majestic Canon de Don Diego.

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.