Wheeler Geologic Area Map with revision
A revised map of Wheeler Geologic Area, showing trails, structures, and approximate areas of natural features.
Collection
Creation Date
1961-02-17
Your TR Source
Rio Grande National Forest
The Wheeler National Monument
Frank C. Spencer reviews the history of Wheeler National Monument, including both the history of the area under Native Americans and European explorers, as well as his own involvement in the designation of the area as a National Monument. The area is formed by an eroded lava flow, and Spencer and his companions named various formations many different fanciful names when they traveled there. Spencer was a strong advocate for this location, and helped convince President Roosevelt to set the area aside as Wheeler National Monument.
Collection
Creation Date
1924-03
Creator(s)
List of early Forest Supervisors
A list of Forest Supervisors of the Rio Grande National Forest noting their years of service, as well as their present occupation if known.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
History of Rio Grande National Forest
This history of the Rio Grande National Forest focuses primarily on the timber industry within the Rio Grande National Forest. Prior to the area’s inclusion in the national forest system, it “suffered many abuses pertaining to the mismanagement of timber resources.” Additionally included in the report are lists of early sawmills and early timber sales associated with the Rio Grande National Forest.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Proclamation of Wheeler National Monument
President Roosevelt proclaims an area of Colorado designated on an attached map as Wheeler National Monument. This declaration does not remove the area from the Rio Grande National Forest or Cochetopa National Forest, but applies additional protections over the area.
Collection
Creation Date
1908-12-07
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Publication Date
2023-10-19
Four wheel drive
A description of how to access Wheeler Geologic Area, as well as recommendations of how best to traverse it. The road leading there is “roundabout, rough, and slow,” and requires four wheel drive after a certain point.
Collection
Creation Date
1981-05
Creator(s)
Publication Date
2024-10-03
Early photo of Wheeler National Monument
Written on back “A steep climb up the hill of white rock, but by water courses. The crest of the great divide in the background.
Collection
Creation Date
1918
Creator(s)
Early photo of Wheeler National Monument
Written on back “Preparing to return. Dow is the horse without a rider in the background.”
Collection
Creation Date
1918
Creator(s)
Early photo of Wheeler National Monument
Written on back “Resting at the foot of the pillars”
Collection
Creation Date
1918
Creator(s)
Wheeler Geological Area
A brief description of how the Wheeler Geologic Area was formed, how to get there, and how it came to be protected by the United States government.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Wheeler Geological Area
The Creede-Mineral County Chamber of Commerce describes the Wheeler Geological Area as being “now at its prime in developing a truly singular panorama,” and describes how people can visit. The area consists of volcanic tuft that has been eroded in a variety of striking ways, and was originally designated as a National Monument by Theodore Roosevelt, although it was later transferred to the National Forest System and returned to the Forest Service.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Wheeler Geological Area: “Ghost City of the San Juans”
Thomas Curry describes how Wheeler Geologic Area formed through volcanic eruptions and erosion, which produced the striking formations seen today. The area was declared a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt, but later was made part of the Rio Grande National Forest and returned to the Forest Service. Curry encourages his readers to visit the site, but admits that the route to get there is rather difficult, as he describes.
Collection
Creation Date
1997
Creator(s)
The Wheeler National Geological Area: “San Juan’s Badlands”
Greg Baneck describes the history and geology of the Wheeler National Geologic Area, as well as how to access the site.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Wheeler
An image of some of the igneous formations found in the Wheeler Geologic Area.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Publication Date
2022-12-15
Wheeler Geological Area
The Wheeler Geologic Area contains a variety of rock formations formed from volcanic tuff. The area was designated a National Monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, and remained so until 1950 when it was abolished and returned to the Rio Grande National Forest. It was expanded and protected in the 1960s, and in 1993 it was designated as a wilderness area. Reaching the area is difficult, but can be done via a long, 4-wheel drive road.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Wheeler Geologic Area
Berkeley Chew briefly describes the history of the Wheeler Geologic Area, and provides his recommendations for visiting the remote site.
Collection
Creation Date
Unknown
Creator(s)
Publication Date
2022-12-15