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Colorado: Colorado's Hogbacks
J. Antonio Pérez
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"Hogbacks" at the entrance to
Fountain Valley in Roxborough
State Park, Colorado. Colorado's
hogbacks are spectacular,
slanting red rock ridges over a
billion years old. Dinosaurs
are known to have roamed among
these unique and beautiful
formations. (J. Antonio Pérez)
Nested at the southwest edge of Denver, Colorado, towering, slanted red megaliths can be found looming in the Roxborough State Park behind its visitor center. The more than two-mile long Fountain Valley Loop Trail winds through these three slanting red rock ridges, which are known as "hogbacks." They are over a billion years old.
With a camera attached to a uni-pod in one hand and a hiking cane loaned by the park in the other, I began my hike through this geological wonderland. My daughter Sheree, who lives in the area, was my expert guide. The family had gathered in the “Mile High City” for the Christmas holidays.
December’s snow and black ice covered much of the trail. Unquestionably, a tricky trek loomed ahead. Why would anyone want to hike under these foreboding conditions? Well, my nearness to the window-of-opportunity and the expected magnificent scenery of red rock ridges was an overpowering drawing force.
The park’s prime viewing area, near the visitor center, overlooks three separate, layered sandstone ridges that rise from the valley floor at a 60-degree angle. They are called hogbacks, geologically defined as long, sharp, crusted ridges formed by steeply inclined strata resistant to erosion. Their unique red coloring results from mineralized iron oxidation (rusting) within the rocks.
Located in the extreme southwest edge of Denver in Roxborough State Park (open year-round), gains renown for its exceptional geological and ecological features. This uniqueness arises from a transition zone between plains and mountains, with several plant communities that provide a large mix of prairie and mountain species.
| An Ecological Mix Roxborough State Park, Colorado provides a home for a large variety of wild life, including black bears, mountain lions, elk, mule deer, coyotes, bobcats and the occasional raccoon, to name a few. Golden eagles and prairie falcons nest in the area and can be seen soaring above the hogbacks, and summertime skies are filled with swallows, sparrows, hummingbirds and magpies. |
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This ecological mix provides a home for a large variety of wild life, including black bears, mountain lions, elk, mule deer (with their distinctive mule-like ears), coyotes, bobcats and the occasional raccoon, to name a few. The ridges also provide a haven to raptors. Golden eagles and prairie falcons nest in the area and can be seen soaring above them. Park pamphlets indicate summertime skies are filled with swallows, sparrows, hummingbirds and magpies, among others species. We watched a flock of birds soaring above the hogbacks, riding updrafts created by the sloping ridges.
Grasping our hiking canes, we moved cautiously along the slow, rising trail, avoiding black ice as much as possible. We soon came to a point where the trail splits to form a large loop around the middle hogback. We had an excellent view and gazed in wonder at the valley we were about to enter between the two reddest and most interesting-looking ridges, known as "Fountain Formation" and "Lyons Formation." In winter’s embrace, dry grasslands, skeletal scrub oak, aspen, cottonwood and shrubbery fill the valley. Yucca, prickly pear, and cactus grow near wild roses and aspens. Ponderosa Pine bristling with bright green needles, in striking contrast, covers much of the middle Lyons Ridge. It does not take much imagination to visualize the awesome beauty of this scene in springtime and autumn colors.
Facing a crisp breeze, we took the right trail at the split and walked gingerly on the ridges of the trail that seemed to have the least snow and ice. We soon came to an offshoot trail that leads to the top of the middle Lyons Ridge with its well-placed valley overlook.
Pine Valley Overlook
Bracing ourselves with the canes, grabbing branches of shrubbery and scrub oak when we could, we climbed the slippery slope to the top without falling on our posteriors. Moving to the overlook, the striking scenery changed every few steps as we peered through the Ponderosa Pine branches into the valley.
While we rested, enjoying some hot coffee Sheree had packed, two young men in tight-fitting gear and track shoes came running up the path with apparent ease. They stayed a few minutes to enjoy the view then retreated in the same manner they had arrived. So much for snow and ice as inhibitors.
A wood-planked overshoot, complete with a railing, jutted out from the ridge, giving us a clear view of the entire valley. We looked down upon the slanting ridges in awe at these rocks of the ages.
Primeval life and historical background
We returned to the point where the trail splits and followed the left trail that runs through the scenic Fountain Valley. On our right, beside the Lyons Ridge, rises a reddish, towerlike monolith that seemed to serve as an entrance gate to the valley. Animal tracks in the snow revealed the activity of deer, mountain lions and coyotes, which we were able to identify from a park booklet. There were other, unidentified tracks as well. More flocks of birds flying in the opposite direction seemed to be enjoying flight among the red ridges.
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Hogbacks at the entrance to
Fountain Valley in Roxborough
State Park, Colorado. (J.
Antonio
Pérez)
According to a center pamphlet, over 100 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the then-swampy marsh. Paleontologists have found their footprints among the hogbacks. Archaeologists have uncovered bones of mammoths, camels and human artifacts dating from 9,000 B.C. to 12,000 B.C.
Archaic peoples hunted in the area as early as 5,500 B.C. Later, Apaches dominated the area until the early 1700s. They were followed by Comanches and their Ute allies. Arapahos and Cheyennes, more recently, hunted among the rugged ridges.
During prohibition, Roxborough’s vast remote region of red rocks and its remoteness provided ideal hiding places for illegal whiskey stills. Business was brisk under the cover of night, even after prohibition.
Upon departing this remarkable park, we competed with three mule deer for road space as they decided to cross it as we approached. A fourth took no chances and pulled back until we moved through.
Driving out, we reflected on what we had seen. Geological features formed millions of years ago with slanting red rocks created by ancient upheavals. The unusual blending of ecological features of plains and mountain species to form a unique habit for
a large variety of plants and wildlife. Furthermore, we had learned that dinosaurs and ancient peoples had roamed this unusual backyard region of Denver. Roxborough State Park cradles significant evidence of Earth’s early history. It has it all. Indeed, it encompasses a fabulous, well-walked path through rocks of the ages.
Fascinating hogbacks are not limited to the state park; they extend next door to the Roxborough Housing Area, providing hogback hazards for its remarkable, beautiful Arrowhead Golf Club. Non-golfers might well arrange for a golf cart tour of the course, as I did. Drivers know well the most interesting sights to see.
MORE INFO
--Roxborough State Park 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, CO, 80125; Phone: (303) 973-3959; Email: roxborough.park@state.co.us; URL: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/roxborough. Office hours are 9am-4pm; park hours are 8am-5pm.
--Camping is not allowed at Roxborough State Park, but there are several options for camping available in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas.
--Temperatures in the park, as with other mountain climes, can fluctuate severely through the course of a day. In summer, temperatures can range from 85 degrees during the day to 40 degrees at night. Winter temperatures range from 45 degrees during the day to -20 degrees at night.
--Activities in Roxborough State Park are made for those who love the outdoors. The park has 14.3 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. It offers educational programs on the history geology and wildlife watching in Colorado. Mountain biking and horseback riding are not permitted within the park boundaries. For Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, Colorado, visit http://www.golfcolorado.com/display.php?courseid=4 or call (303) 973-9614.
For related articles, visit The World & I Online eLibrary archives:
--" History in the Sky: A Visit to Leadville, Colorado," by Stephen Voynick, August 2000 (Article #19151)
J. Antonio Pérez is a graduate of the University of
Washington in Seattle. He was commissioned in the United
States Navy in 1942 and served for twenty-three years, also
serving twenty years with Rockwell International on the
Saturn S-II Program. After his naval service he became a
published writer and photographer, his work being published
in many newspapers and magazines. He is author of I Was
There: Memorable World Journeys Including Prowling the
Pacific in Time of War (Authorhouse, 2004), and has been
honored by the International Society of Photographers.
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