I went up to Valles Caldera, in the Jemez, a few days ago. I’ve been noticing a larger-than-usual crop of mariposa lilies high in the Sandias and figured they’d be blooming in Valles Caldera as well.
The mariposa lilies in the Sandias are quite beautiful. But …
The Valles Caldera lilies are drop-dead gorgeous.1 I found them in Valle Grande, the largest of the valles for which the caldera is named. Valle Grande was the only name by which I knew the area until 2000, when it became part of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Even then, it was both difficult and a bit costly to get into most parts of the preserve. It’s only within the last five to ten years that it’s become easily accessible to the general public.
Although Valles Caldera contains just about every kind of terrain you can imagine (and then some), its wide, grassy valleys and numerous meanders are most characteristic of the area. The meadows are more lush this year than I’ve ever seen them, and they’re covered with wildflowers.2 That’s especially encouraging since it was only 10 years ago that the Las Conchas wildfire swept through this part of the Jemez.
Both versions are also known as sego lilies.
If you live in central or northern New Mexico, I urge you to get out to Valles Caldera this month. Go early in the day so you can beat the certain afternoon rain and attendant lightning.