Near Calhan in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Geology

Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 8, 2019

1. Geology Marker

Inscription. Imagine standing here in a tropical hardwood forest 55 million years ago. The forest and ancient soils were later covered by white sandstone of uplifted and later eroded Pikes Peak Granite. The sandstone is known as the Dawson Arkose Formation. Its stone and clay layers have been weathered by wind and rain to produce the badlands, breaks, gullies, and hoodoos (fanciful stone and clay spires) you see. This unique geology, possibly one of only four such areas in Colorado, has attracted visitors for thousands of years to collect stone material to make tools, mine clay for pottery and bricks, and simply enjoy.

Erected by El Paso County Community Services.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Notable Places • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 39° 0.883′ N, 104° 16.151′ W. Marker is near Calhan, Colorado, in El Paso County. Marker can be reached from Paint Mine Road, 1½ miles east of North Calhan Highway. Located within the Paint Mine Open Space, along the Green Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29915 Paint Mine Road, Calhan CO 80808, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Also see . . . El Paso County website about the Paint Mines. (Submitted on June 18, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

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Geology Marker with portion of Paint Mines in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 8, 2019

2. Geology Marker with portion of Paint Mines in background.

Some of the Paint Mines formations. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 8, 2019

3. Some of the Paint Mines formations.

Paint Mines entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 14, 2012

4. Paint Mines entrance.

Paint mines formations. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 14, 2012

5. Paint mines formations.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 14, 2012

6. Paint mines formations.

Map and additional info about the Paint Mines. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton

7. Map and additional info about the Paint Mines.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 7. submitted on June 18, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.