Capulin Volcano National Monument

I started today with a visit to Capulin Volcano National Monument in northeastern New Mexico.   The park's central feature is a 1,000 foot tall cinder cone volcano.    I drove the road that spirals  up to the top of the crater in order to to hike the one-mile trail that loops around the rim. 

The views were spectacular, but I had to battle a gusty wind in order to enjoy them.  One blahst was strong enough to knock my sunglasses off, fortunately not too far.   The wind was chilly, but I was bundled up enough to handle it that aspect of it.  After finishing the loop, I hiked down the short trail to the bottom of the crater.   Then before leaving the park, I walked a short, much calmer path called the Lava Flow trail at the base of the mountain.