West Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Time Frozen In Stone

Garden of the Gods Park

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 6, 2019

1. Time Frozen In Stone Marker

Inscription. This rock formation, called Sentinel Rock, is a geologic treasure. It is composed of two types of rock - a fine sandstone and a gravelly conglomerate. The various layers in this rock were deposited 275 million years ago. During that time, ancient rivers flowed out of the ancestral Rocky Mountains and sand dunes were beginning to creep across the landscape.
The ripple marks you see on this rock represent a sandstone "cast" of one stream bed layer. Alternating layers of coarse and fine gravels were deposited when streams ran with high or low energy. The fact that the streambed is now vertical shows that the rock layers were tilted upward long after the sediments were turned into solid stone.
Since assuming their vertical positions, these rocks have continued to change shapes as water freezes in cracks and wind erodes the soft sandstone into unusual, bizarre shapes. Millions of years from now, the rocks may once again be a pile of sand and pebbles.

Erected by City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Natural Features • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the National Natural Landmarks series list.

Location.

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38° 52.693′ N, 104° 52.86′ W. Marker is in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is in West Colorado Springs. Marker can be reached from Garden Drive. Part of the Inner Loop Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colorado Springs CO 80904, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Priceless Gift (a few steps from this marker); The Garden of the Gods (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Priceless Gift (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Garden of the Gods Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Garden of the Gods Park (approx. half a mile away); Bloomer Girl; A Colorado Trailblazer (approx. half a mile away); Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site (approx. half a mile away); Indian Trail (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colorado Springs.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Garden of the Gods. (Submitted on June 7, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Marker on left, Sentinel Spires on right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 6, 2019

2. Marker on left, Sentinel Spires on right.

Very busy day with climbers all over the park.

Park is a National Landmark. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 6, 2019

3. Park is a National Landmark.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.