wheeler geologic area

Seeing Wheeler in-person, you gaze out and get the feeling that you're looking at something very special that only a handful of people in the world have been able to see. Reading the fascinating volcanic history of the area makes you truly appreciate the concept of time and how many eons it took to create such a place. Walking around and looking at the awesome and bizarre rock formations, you get the feeling that you're no longer on Earth, but some otherworldly place.Getting there, you have to earn it. You WILL need a 4WD to get out there, your Subaru isn't going to cut it on this one. That is actually the reason that it is called Wheeler Geologic Area - it used to be Wheeler National Monument, but its National Monument status was later reneged due to the inaccessibility (personally, I think that's a good thing and that's what's keeping it special). We rented a Jeep in Creede and started off around 10am. We stopped along the way in along a seemingly never-ending strawberry field and picked fresh, wild strawberries right off the vine - so sweet and delicious. The mountain was covered in wildflowers, it was almost like being in an alpine rain forest.It ultimately took about 3.5 hours to get out there, but the scenery and the fun of 4-wheeling makes it go by faster. Once there, it's about a 45 minute hike to the formations along a very easy, level hiking path. There are no bathrooms, amenities, or cell service out there so taking a roll of toilet paper with you is a really good idea!You can hike all the way around Wheeler, we ended up turning around after about an hour as storm clouds were heading in. The whole day, we saw only four other people. We returned to Creede at about 7:30 that night. You could probably do the trip in about half the time on an ATV, they can move over the rough stuff a lot easier, but you don't have the lovely rain protection offered by the Jeep.Hiking out there is also an option. There is a shorter (distance-wise) trail that is a hiking-only trail. I can't remember how long, but ultimately it is about the same amount of time whether to Jeep out or hike out. Just depends on what your preferred method is.

The Wheeler Geologic area is really beautiful, everyone who gets to see it feels "My goodness how in the heck did this very unusual rock formation ever get here!!!". To get to the Area you drive up Pool Table road and then at the old Hanson Mill you can drive your four wheeler on to an area to stop about a quarter mile from the Wheeler area since it is considered Wilderness. Nothing other than horse back or just walking can get you into the area itself, you can drive or ride an atv up to the place to stop prior to walking on to the area then the walk on to the Wheeler Geologic Area is very comfortable. If you go up there be sure to take your camera since it is so very unique and fun to photograph!!!!!!

Been vacationing in South Fork for 30 years and had never made it to Wheeler. This summer we decided this was the year we go. We unloaded our Kawasaki Teryx (which we bought from Bobby & Alice at the Kawasaki dealer in South Fork) at the Alder Creek Guard Station, took the back way up FR610 to FR611 to FR630 to FR600 to the parking area. Rough road YES. Great fun YES. Our side by side is so much smoother than our Jeeps. Still quite a bit of snow and wet roads and we hit every mud hole we could find. Truly amazing once you reach the formations. We sat there for hours taking it all in. Plan on taking our friends back this year.

The beating you take on the 3.5 HOUR jeep ride does not outweigh a unique site at the end. Hire a helicoptor.

Fabulous eroded rocks that would fill Coors Field. Gorgeous long views along the way. Tooks lots of photos and left a bit of Mom's remains there. A big part of the review must be the road in: Fun drive for real 4x4s or ATVs--don't kid yourself if you don't have at least 7 inches of ground clearance. I drove in with no problems in a 2007 Kia Sorento--only hit bottom about four times each way! Passengers may find the 2-1/2 hours of bouncing nauseating. Wait until September and the road will be dry. I can see where it would be impassible when very wet. If you love jeeping this is your kind of road--with a breathtaking reward at the end!

Hiked the East Bellows Creek trail from Hansen's Mill to the Wheeler. The multiple distances provided by signs and Forest Service information are different - some say 7 miles and some say 8.2 miles - here's the scoop. From the Trail Head to the end of the Wheeler 4WD Road (really more of a Jeep Track than a 4WD road) was 7.4 miles by my GPS. From the end of the Road to the Shelter site was 0.8 miles by my GPS, or 8.2 miles by trail. The hike is relatively easy, gaining some elevation at the very start, dropping down to cross E. Bellows Creek, then climbing up to the junction with the road (about 1 mile from the "parking area") and then climbing slightly to the shelter and viewing areas. The crossing has some rocks and tree fall, but it is easy to see where you might want to wade. After crossing E. Bellows Creek there are posts along the route until the junction with the Road.The hike is pleasant and there some excellent views of rocky canyons, forested portions and open 'parks.' The trail is mostly a dirt path, though it is rocky in a few areas as you traverse several drainages and rock outcroppings in the parks. The Wheeler Geologic area itself is outstanding, the welded rhyolite (Rat Creek Tuff) creating incredible shapes and brilliant white colors. On the hike while the trail is closing in on the road you get a glimpse of the tuff formations, a very nice visual tease!While there (August 7, 2014) we saw a lot of ATV's on the road and the parking area. While the hiking trail (and Hansen's Mill camp area) were largely empty of people, the road was busy and the "moderate to heavy use" description by the Forest Service is accurate. One note. We drove to Hansen's Mill from Lake City and from the Slumgullion just south of Lake City through the forest past Pool Table Road and including the trail to the Wheeler, you are largely traversing a dead conifer forest. Looks like the bark beetle damage has destroyed the forest, forcing the FS to close some camping areas due to tree hazards. We saw fresh tree falls along CO149 as well as on the trails.

This is a great 4X4 trip into the beautiful Colorado back country. The trail definitely requires a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle. The trail is not difficult, but it is 15 miles in and 15 miles out. There is a short hike into a wilderness area to reach the unique geologic formations.

After talking to locals we decided to visit but not in our truck. We were told the road was rough and they weren't lying. We rented one atv and one razor from Creede ATV and spent the day. They recommended that we leave early and we were glad we did. It seemed to be raining every afternoon we were there. It took us about 2.5 hours to get there and it was a fun ride. The mud puddles added a bit of excitment. Once at the end of the trail we hiked to the formations (about 15 min) and they were SPECTACULAR. Some of the best pictures we took during the entire trip. We made it back before 3pm when the rains came in.Highly recommend you make this part of your Creede Trip.

This is such an amazing site. If you are taking an ATV, you travel 10 miles on a graded dirt road and 14 miles on a very rugged 4x4 road. It took us two hours to travel that 24 miles. When you get to the end of the 4x4 road, you need to get out and hie about a mile to the geological features. They are amazing! However, there are many steep drop-offs, so watch your kids and dogs. We will never forget our trip to this place.

Its a LONG rough road, alllll day trip but its a must see! Take the time to look around once you are there, there are all kinds of formations to see. Leave early!

It's a long drive by 4 wheeler and rough travel but worth it. s It is also a nice all day hike or an overnighter.

I don't believe you can find a geological feature such as this anywhere else in the world. The tall white spires and numerous other formations take your breath away. The 4 mile loop trail around the site is well worth the climb to about 12,000 feet. My husband and I packed in the 7 miles from Hanson's Mill with our donkeys for a 2 night stay. Though you share the area during the day, you practically have the camp area to yourself at night (except for a few cows!). The trail there is fairly easy (about 3 hours more or less depending on what shape you are in) but has a fairly wide creek crossing that was flowing about mid-calf due to numerous summer afternoon rains (or if you have great balance, you can walk across on two somewhat precarious logs. If you go in late August, you can feast on a bounty of wild strawberries. You can also take the 4-wheel drive road with a high clearance vehicle or an ATV (husband said he did the road one and never again). Just make sure you give yourself enough time to take in the absolute pure beauty of this area.

It takes longer than you'll expect to drive it and you'll need an ATV or Jeep, but it's worth the trip. The hoodoos are amazing. Due to all the recent rain, there are two mud bogs that cannot be driven. I dislike going off-trail, but there was no other choice. Even with differential lockers, it took a winch to get out of the one we attempted.

The Wheeler Geologic area is a sight to behold. You can climb around, too, and marvel at the power of nature in giving us these formations! Very worth it, but leave fairly well early so you have time to spend while you are there.

It is a trek to get back to this area. We took Polaris RZR's on the park trails and "only" 2.5 hours later, we were viewing a unique erosional phenom. The San Juan Mtns are all there due to volcanic eruptions 28 million years ago and Wheeler is a small area of volcanic ash exposed to erosion, making very dramatic formations. Well worth the ride.