Wheeler Geologic Area, Volcanic ash formation in San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
Wheeler Geologic Area is a protected site in Colorado's San Juan Mountains with white stone spires and towers built from volcanic ash layers at about 11,960 feet (3,650 meters). The formations display complex erosion patterns created over millions of years, making each tower and ridge distinct in shape and texture.
President Theodore Roosevelt designated this location as Colorado's first national monument in 1908, granting it early protection. President Truman removed that status in 1950, marking a shift in how the site was managed.
Local people call these white stone formations "The City of Gnomes," showing how visitors and residents see faces and figures in the natural shapes. This playful naming reflects a way that people connect imaginatively with the landscape.
You can reach the site by hiking a trail of about 8.4 miles (13.5 kilometers) or by driving a road of about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) that requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Weather shifts rapidly at this elevation, so bring layers and be prepared for sudden changes.
The stone towers formed around 25 million years ago from eruptions of the La Garita Caldera, one of the largest volcanoes ever known. This ancient volcanic material sits exposed in layers that visitors can see while walking through the landscape.
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