Archaeologists have recovered little evidence of activity for the first 26 years of his reign, but in 652 CE there was a sudden rise in monument production, with two stelae being erected in the Great Plaza and four others in important locations across the Copán Valley.

He also erected a stela at the Santa Rita site 12 kilometers (7+1⁄2 mi) away and is mentioned on Altar L at Quiriguá in relation to the same event in 652.

It is thought that he was trying to stamp his authority throughout the whole valley after the end of some earlier restriction to his freedom to rule as he wished.

[1] After this sudden spate of activity, Smoke Imix continued to rule until almost the end of the 7th century; he dedicated another nine known monuments and made important changes to the architecture of Copán, including the construction of Structure 2 which closes the northern side of the Great Plaza and a new version of Temple 26, nicknamed Chorcha.

[2] Chan Imix is a playable leader (as "Smoke-Jaguar") of the Maya state in the 2001 video game Civilization III.