Wheeler Geologic Area

Today we feature a very interesting natural phenomenon in the area. The Wheeler Geologic Area is a highly eroded outcropping of layers of volcanic ash, located in the La Garita Mountains of Mineral County, in southern Colorado. The ash is the result of eruptions from the La Garita Caldera approximately 25 millions years ago.


The area was designated a National Monument from 1908 until 1950; and was Colorado's first National Monument. It is now part of the La Garita Wilderness and administered by the Rio Grande National Forest. Lying just below the crest of the range at an elevation of 11,960 feet (3645 m), it can best be reached via the East Bellows Trail (FS790).

The formations are named after Captain George M. Wheeler, who explored and surveyed this area in 1874 for the U.S. Army.


For more information check out Hiking Colorado, by Caryn and Peter Boddie