We have to start with a warning: there are a lot of photos in this post. Perhaps too many, but it was hard to choose and we wanted to share with you the beauty of Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Furthermore, many of these too many photos are of rocks and rock formations. If you are not into that, we apologize in advance.
This time we headed about an hour and a half south east of Denver to visit the beautiful Paint Mines Interpretive Park.
Sadly, Penny had to stay behind again as dogs are not allowed. We will really have to make it up to her for all of this neglect.
There are three parking lots with access points to the formations and to several longer trails. We stopped at the overlook which is the second parking lot and walked over to the rails overlooking the formations.
The expanse of the formations took us by surprise..
We walked down to the formations from the lookout area instead of taking any of the longer hikes.
There were a few groups of people around and many of them were on top of the formations. We scoffed at that, especially since there were clear signs to stay off the formations, however, we realized very quickly that it’s easier said than done. It was not clear where the formal trails ended, and the informal ones started. Several times, we found ourselves in places that we shouldn’t have been on.
There was so much to explore!
The magnificent columns of different colour were the source of clay and paint for Native Americans that frequented the area for at least 9,000 years.
A close look at the face of the rocks reveals interesting textures and inclusions. Some formed by water, some be time and compression.
In the photo below you can see a layer of what looks like plaster that formed in a thick layer over the rock.
We must have roamed for a couple of hours
along colourful walls of purple and ochre,
by natural sculptures,
through crevices,
some too small to fit,
some we fit through after a short struggle.
Whichever way we looked, there were new and interesting geological formation to look at.
New colours.
New types of rocks that eroded in a different way.
It was a cloudy day and we could only imagine how vibrant the colour will be under full sunshine,
or how deep the oranges would get when the sun sets.
but even under these muted conditions there was wonder and beauty all around us.
There are many conglomerate rocks,
some have special surprises embedded in them.
And there were hoodoos everywhere
This is a harsh environment.
There are very few trees around and this nest must have fallen from a crevice in the rocks. The remnants of the small chicks were still inside.
We kept exploring
This time the trail led us to a small cave
and when we turned around we had a great view of the expanse of the mines.
We then followed a trail that took us to the “archaeological area”.
The trail snaked through grass and prairie land,
but we only came across one plaque that covered the archaeological aspect of the trail.
You can still find some hints to these activities on the landscape. Below is a piece of chert, the type of stone that lends itself to stone tool-making.
We followed the trail for a couple of kilometers
and admired the display of dry vegetation. It must look very different in the spring.
Then we turned around
and made our way back to the parking lot.
One last view of the mines and we were off.
The drive back though prairie
and sparse forests
and as the sun set,
we left a looming storm behind
and went home to rescue Penny.
This was an overload of beauty. We don’t know if we can take any more of this!
I’m glad you shared so many photos! My wife and I just hiked to Upper Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park in California – so much beauty to capture!
There are so many amazing places to visit and share! Yosemite is one of these very special places for sure!
What a fascinating place! Nature is incredible. I’ve never heard of Paint Mines, but now I’ll look for them if I ever am in Colorado. Maggie
Yeah, make a point of visiting if you are in the area. For some reason a lot of locals don’t even know about it. I think it’s because everyone heads towards the mountains and this is the opposite way.
Truly amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks for coming along!
You can never have too many photos! Plus, I LOVE rock formations!
Then this post is for you ☺️
Cheers!
You can never post too many photos of such a stunningly beautiful place. Loved every one of them.
Thank you so much for saying this <3
A fascinating place for sure. Some of the painted rock areas remind me of the South Dakota Badlands. Thanks for sharing. Stay well. Allan
Yes, the whole area has some resemblance to the Badlands and the Black Hills. Beautiful country! Thanks for coming along!
Absolutely amazing! I enjoyed all the pictures. Next stop the dog park 😉
Thanks so much, and I think you have the right idea! Penny already loves you 🙂
I enjoyed your pictures very much. This area reminds me a lot of places I have seen in Arizona. I do love Colarado and have been there many times. Looks like you are enjoying your trip.
Thanks so much! We are really enjoying our time here, both spending time with our daughter, and sightseeing in and around Denver.
Beautiful and unique rock formations! They resemble those of the Badlands in South Dakota. Looks like a wonderful day out; I’m sure Penny forgives you for the trip without her! 😉
Yeah, it does look like the badlands in South Dakota. Penny is enduring this very gracefully, especially since we take her for long walks every evening 🙂
I understand that the selection was difficult, showing so many allows the reader to make their own selection. I liked all those narrow crevices between the walls, there is a little stress in the air about how it will end.
That’s a good way to look at it, thanks for that! I also liked those crevices and the uncertainty around them. They reminded me of Fat Man’s misery in Collingwood 🙂
So many interesting colors, formations and more! I throughly enjoyed your post. I just love the Southwest.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful photos and those rock formations were really something 🙂
Thank you! The formations were pretty cool!
So unique and beautiful colours 🙂
It was! Thanks for coming along!
there were a lot of beautiful formations; I don’t think I’d try to squeeze through those tight spots…
Haha, not a good idea for sure! I once helped extract a couple of people from a crevice such as this. It took a long time and it wasn’t fun at all.
that would be a bit scary to be stuck like that – how nice of you to help!
It is so fascinating to see the evidence of life before the white man came – same as here in Aust. I especially like the “One Last View” photo.
You are right, there is evidence all around us, both in the landscape and through artifacts, but mostly through living cultures that are still here. Just like it is in Australia.
There’s no such thing as too many pictures. The landscape looks beautiful with all those interesting rock formations and colour combinations. Thank goodness you finished up before the storm rolled in as those dark skies look scary!
Haha, I guess, but don’t encourage me too much 🙂
Wow such a fantastic place👀💕✨
Thanks for joining us!
I am absolutely amazed by this place – thanks for including all the photos. I can’t believe I’ve lived in Colorado for so long and have never heard of Paint Mines. What a hidden treasure!
It is pretty amazing! Almost every local that I talked to here did not hear about the Paint Mines so don’t feel bad. It’s also funny that you’ve just been to Toronto (our old neighbourhood) and eaten one of my favourite dishes in an Egyptian restaurant that I didn’t know about! I love learning new things about places I thought I knew.
It’s a great city, and so many different things to experience – hard to keep up with it all, I’m sure! I suppose the Paint Mines just hasn’t done any publicity. Perhaps they like to keep it from getting crowded like so many parks.
Too Many? Absolutely not. They’re gorgeous. Cheers, Muriel
Thanks, Muriel! You really shouldn’t encourage me like that…
I see why you suggested Paint Mines to us! It does look beautiful!
I think you will love exploring it!
nice article. Thanks
Thanks for joining us!
Love that place. The formations are so cool
It really is an amazing place!