Erosion over millions of years has created the unique rock formations in the Wheeler Geologic Area. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)
Millions of years ago the volcanic eruptions in the San Juan Mountain near Creede, Colo., created this nature wonderland. The seven-mile hike or 14-mile Jeep road are worth it. Photos by Christian Murdock
Erosion over millions of years has created the unique rock formations in the Wheeler Geologic Area as seen Monday, July 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Seth Boster hikes the final stretch of the West Bellows Creek Trail No. 871 into the Wheeler Geologic Area in the La Garita Wilderness Area Monday, July 6,2020. The more popular routes into the volcanic formations are a 7-mile hike starting on the East Bellows Creek Trail No. 790 or a 14-mile four-wheel drive road beyond the trailhead to a dispersed camping area about a mile from the area. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)A rainbow shines against the dark clouds after a thunderstorm passed through the La Garita Wilderness Area near Creede, Colo., Sunday, July 5, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Seth Boster climbs into the canyon below the rock formations of the Wheeler Geologic Area Monday, July 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Indian paintbrush grows below the rock formations in the Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, Colo., Monday, July 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)The sun rises over the Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, Colo., Monday, July 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Seth Boster takes in the landscape at the Wheeler Geologic Area Monday, July 6, 2020, created by volcanic activities 30 to 40 millions years ago. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Volcanic tuff from 30 to 40 million years ago created the rock formations in Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, Colo., as seen Monday, July 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)The morning sun outlines the volcanic rock formations in Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede in this July 6, 2020, photo. (Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)Evergreen trees grow among the eroded volcanic tuff Monday, July 6, 2020, in the Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Years of erosion has shaped and colored the rock formations in Wheeler Geologic Area as seen Monday, July 6, 2020. Volcanic activities 30 to 40 million years ago were the orgin of the area. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Rock formations tower oversome beetle kill trees in the Wheeler Geologic Area Monday, July 6, 2020, near Creede, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Seth Boster enters the Wheeler Geologic Area after a short hike from the end of a four-wheel drive trail Monday, July 6, 2020, near Creede, Colo. A seven-mile hike on the East Bellows Creek Trail No. 790 from the Hanson Mill Trailhead or a 14-mile rough drive on a rough road and a short hike are the common ways to reach the area. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Eroded volcanic tuff from 30 to 40 million years ago resemble candy Dots Monday, July 6, 2020, in the Wheeler Geologic Area in the La Garita Wilderness outside Creede, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)The sun rises over the Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, Colo., Monday, July 6,2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)Wildflowers grow among volcanic tuff on the top of Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, Colo., July 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)A rainbow shines against the dark clouds after a thunderstorm passed through the La Garita Wilderness Area near Creede, Colo., Sunday, July 5, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
