Near Dolores in Montezuma County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Making of a Mountain
Two World Views of the Same Horizon
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2025
1. The Making of a Mountain Marker
In the very old days, Sleeping Ute Mountain was a great warrior god. He fought against Evil Ones who were causing much trouble. During a battle between the Warrior God and the Evil Ones, the Warrior God was hurt. He lay down to rest and fell into a deep sleep. The blood from his wounds turned into water for all creatures to drink. The Warrior God has four blankets, which he changes each season. He wears his light green blanket in spring, his dark green blanket in summer. In the fall his blanket is red and yellow, and his winter blanket is white.
The Warrior God can be seen on the horizon lying on his back, arms folded across his chest, his feathered headdress laid out to the north behind his head. Someday he will rise again to help his people fight against their enemies.
Ute Mountain Ute legend
Sleeping Ute Mountain is a laccolithic intrusion. Around 60 million years ago, molten rock (magma) from beneath the earth's crust pushed upwards against the sedimentary rock which covered the area. The magma created a bulge, but never broke through the surface. Over time, the sedimentary layers of sandstone and shale covering the
this page online
Erected by The Colorado Historical Society, the Bureau of Land Management, the Family of Nellie Mulnix Joy and the Frankston Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 37° 28.754′ N, 108° 32.814′ W. Marker is near Dolores, Colorado, in Montezuma County. It can be reached from State Highway 184 at milepost 7, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the Escalante Pueblo Trail at the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27501 Colorado Highway 184, Dolores CO 81323, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexicos Alta California.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2025
2. The Making of a Mountain Marker
Looking southwest; Sleeping Ute Mountain is visible in the distant background.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Great Sage Plain, Colorado and Utah (within shouting distance of this marker); Farmland... Now & Then (within shouting distance of this marker); Juniper (within shouting distance of this marker); Big Bend & McPhee (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dolores / McPhee Reservoir (about 300 feet away); Piρon (about 400 feet away); Wildlife or Relatives? (about 400 feet away); Prickly Pear Cactus (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dolores.
Also see . . . Ute Mountain (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Ute Mountain, also known as Ute Peak or Sleeping Ute Mountain, is a peak within the Ute Mountains, a small mountain range in the southwestern corner of Colorado. It is on the northern edge of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation. The Reservation forms the southwestern corner of the state and of Montezuma County. Despite being much lower than Colorado's highest peaks, Ute Mountain is the eighth most topographically prominent peak in the state, due to its isolation. It is notable for its large local(Submitted on December 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)relief in all directions, especially its rise of roughly 4,250 ft over the Montezuma Valley to the southeast.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 20253. Sleeping Ute MountainLooking southwest from the Escalante Pueblo Trail.
The Sleeping Ute is said to resemble a Ute chief lying on his back with arms folded across his chest. The mountains were valued as a sacred place by the Weeminuche Ute band. It is still a sacred place to their descendants, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and still plays a role in their ceremonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 48 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
