Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Rocky Mountains
Photographed By Jackson Perrie, August 25, 2018
1. The Rocky Mountains Marker
The high mountains west of here are the beginning of the Rocky Mountains.
They are made up of resistant Precambrian granite and gneiss. The prominent red rocks
in Red Rocks Park are the Fountain Formation, a series of sandstones and conglomerates
that provide evidence of a much older episode of mountain building. That 280 million
year old mountain range resembled the modern Rocky Mountains, but was eroded completely
away before the Morrison Formation was deposited. The modern Rocky Mountains formed
about 70 million years ago and tilted the rocks on which you stand.Erected by Friends of Dinosaur Ridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 39° 40.667′ N, 105° 11.682′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from Hog Back Road (State Highway 93) near West Alameda Parkway. The marker is on the Dinosaur Ridge Trail which is a 1.1 mile wide paved section of West Alameda Parkway that is closed to traffic. This marker is found
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Volcanic Ash (within shouting distance of this marker); Brontosaur Bulges (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Deformation (within shouting distance of this marker); Morrison Fossil Area (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Late Jurassic Time (about 300 feet away); Theropod Track (about 400 feet away); Cretaceous Time (about 600 feet away); West Alameda Parkway / Dinosaur Ridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.
Also see . . .
1. The Rocky Mountains. Encyclopedia Britannica entry (Submitted on October 17, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. The Fountain Formation. (Submitted on October 17, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Abigail Perrie, August 25, 2018
2. Eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and the Fountain Formation
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
