Entry No. 38 — the Durango file — filed under: volcanic-geology

Wheeler Geologic Area

This was Colorado's very first national monument — designated by Teddy Roosevelt in 1908 — then quietly stripped of that status in 1950 because it was too hard to reach. What Congress abandoned is a silent city of cream-and-ochre volcanic tuff spires erupted from the La Garita caldera, columns and fins and hoodoos that look like something hauled in from Cappadocia and then forgotten. Getting here costs you either an 8.4-mile round-trip hike through spruce and aspen, or a white-knuckle 14-mile 4WD road that earns every inch. Almost nobody comes, which is the whole point.

The move: Drive the 4WD road in early morning to catch the tuff spires in low-angle light, eat lunch in the ghost-city of formations, and hike back out through the meadow before afternoon storms roll in.

📍 Before you go Two access options: (1) hike the 8.4-mile (one-way) trail from Pool Table Road trailhead — moderate but long; (2) drive the 14-mile 4WD road off Pool Table Road — high-clearance 4WD required, not suitable for ATVs. Road and trail both pass through Rio Grande National Forest. Snow typically closes access from late fall through late spring. No facilities on-site. Dispersed camping available along approach roads.

• 📍 South Fork / Creede
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Hours: Added 2026-06-21 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-21