Colorado Landscapes

Wheeler Geologic Area in the La Garita Mountains of Mineral County contains eroded pinnacles of volcanic ash what were formed 25 million years ago by eruptions from the La Garita Caldera. The area is located about 10 miles east of the old mining town of Creede. Wheeler is accessible by a 7-mile trail or a very rough 14-mile road, best used by ATVs. Photo by Linda Boley.

This photo was taken by Tom Lebsack from near the top of the Governor Basin OHV road southwest of Ouray. The peaks are, from the left, Stony Mountain (closest), Mt. Sneffels in the far background, Teakettle Mountain and Potosi Mountain in the shadow. The flowers are mostly Rosy Paintbrush. The Governor Basin Road is a 15.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ridgway, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate.

West Bijou Ranch (at the time, in 2003, it was part of the Plains Conversation Center; now its a national natural landmark property managed by the Savory Institute on the eastern edges of Arapahoe and Elbert counties. This 7,500 acre ranch, dominated by shortgrass prairie, is home to a majestic herd of bison, and archeological and cultural assets, such as the famous K-T Boundary. (the K-T Boundary is the transition between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods of geologic time characterized by a mass extinction of many forms of life, the boundary is only found in certain rocks exposed by erosion. Photo by Skot Latona

South Platte Park in Littleton, just north of C470 along the South Platte River. The South Platte River is one of two tributaries of the Platte River (the other being the North Platte River). It in turn has two tributaries, The Middle Fork which arises from Mt. Lincoln, a 14,293-foot fourteener in the Mosquito Range, and the South Fork which originates in South Park. Photo by Skot Latona

The Shrine Ridge Trail is located at exit 190 off of I-70 between Frisco and Copper Mountain. It is rated as a moderate hike, 4.3 miles out and back with an elevation gain of 900 feet to 11,905 feet. The trail is very popular, and is most known from its wonderful wildflowers and birds. Photo by Carol McGowan

Jura Knob is located near Coal Bank Pass on Route 550 in the San Juan Mountains. It is 14 miles south of Silverton and 35 miles north of Durango. Its elevation is 12,614 feet. Photo by John Bregar.

The Dillon Pinnacles, which tower above Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County were formed by volcanic eruptions into brecca rock towering spires, rising to 7,800 feet. Photo by Mo Ewing

Summit lake is a tarn (alpine lake), located 12,836 feet in a glacial cirque on the north face of Mt. Evans (14,271 ft. elevation). Part of the Pike and Arapaho National forest, it was incorporated into the Denver Mountain Parks System in 1924 and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965. Photo by Dina Baker

This photo was taken by Tom Lebsack from below Fletcher Mountain (13,908') near the end of the McCullough Gulch Trail. McCullough Gulch Trail is a 6.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located south of Breckenridge that features wildflowers, a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October.

Ophir Pass is located in the San Juan Mountains standing at 11,789 feet. It’s reached from the town of Ophir, about 13 miles south of Telluride, or from the east in Silverton. The town and the pass bear the name of a biblical mine which brought gold to King Solomon. It was originally a toll road opened in 1881, but was replaced by the railroad which went over nearby Lizard Pass. Photo by Carol McGowan