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Humans probably put the fence up, to keep the elk from being slaughtered by cars on Highway 4... I guess you haven't been there?
A few observations from the picture-
Most fences (especially that fence) will do little to stop elk. It's possible the fence exists to keep out cattle, and it's also possible it's on the periphery of the preserve/park.
As to the identity of the fence builder, it could be a state or federal agency, or a local rancher.
The fence does not look like something abutting highway 4.
Could have been the rancher who once owned the land. When I was last there several years ago, the old ranch house and other structures, though in disrepair, were still standing.
It's possible the fence exists to keep out cattle, and it's also possible it's on the periphery of the preserve/park.
The fence does not look like something abutting highway 4.
But there is a fence close to Highway 4, have stopped and leaned on it a few times... Depending on were you are at and where you look you see some other fenced off areas. Your probably correct that that it might be for cattle etc...
I've gazed at Valles Caldera many times over 15+ years at various pull off spots on Highway 4. I'm glad we will have more easy access than just doing that...
While this is an administrative move from one government funded bureau to another, I haven't seen anything to indicate the name will be changed from its current designation as a "national preserve." It goes without saying that if it is ever changed to "national park" it will draw more attention, IMO.
I think you're correct: management has shifted from a separate non-profit trust to the Park Service, but the Caldera remains a National Preserve, cattle ranching, fishing, and hunting will continue, and other than modestly increasing access to build more revenue there are no plans to radically change how the Caldera is managed. The trust had some organizational problems and it's my understanding this decision had as much to do with managerial efficiency as anything else.
The area around Bandelier remains fairly pristine and commercialism and tourist development is kept to a minimum despite that park's relatively high visitor numbers. Same goes for just about every other National Park Service unit in New Mexico with the possible exception of Carlsbad Caverns. I can't imagine they'd try to do anything different here. If nothing else, the Caldera's importance to the Jemez people and a number of other local Native American communities makes any attempt at major commercialization unlikely. And as others have pointed out, the Caldera is essentially just a big, beautiful valley with a large elk herd and some interesting archaeological and vulcanological features...no geyser fields or glaciers or grizzly bears or big lodges. A sudden transformation into another Yellowstone or Yosemite seems unlikely in any case.
I think you're correct: management has shifted from a separate non-profit trust to the Park Service, but the Caldera remains a National Preserve, cattle ranching, fishing, and hunting will continue, and other than modestly increasing access to build more revenue there are no plans to radically change how the Caldera is managed. The trust had some organizational problems and it's my understanding this decision had as much to do with managerial efficiency as anything else.
The area around Bandelier remains fairly pristine and commercialism and tourist development is kept to a minimum despite that park's relatively high visitor numbers. Same goes for just about every other National Park Service unit in New Mexico with the possible exception of Carlsbad Caverns. I can't imagine they'd try to do anything different here. If nothing else, the Caldera's importance to the Jemez people and a number of other local Native American communities makes any attempt at major commercialization unlikely. And as others have pointed out, the Caldera is essentially just a big, beautiful valley with a large elk herd and some interesting archaeological and vulcanological features...no geyser fields or glaciers or grizzly bears or big lodges. A sudden transformation into another Yellowstone or Yosemite seems unlikely in any case.
Guess I was not clear. The fence in that picture is off the Valle Grande Trail hike. It's a two mile round trip hike starting just a bit east of the view pullouts. As was said that fence was probably more to keep cattle in as it's certainly not going to keep elk out. I did that short hike years ago snagging a geocache before the Las Conchas fire. My Backyard: Valle Grande Trail
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