RMS-SEPM Fall Field Trip: Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Saturday October 24th, 2026
Leader: Dr. Bob Raynolds, Denver Museum of Nature and Science & Adjunct Faculty, Colorado School of Mines
Paint Mines Interpretive Park, located in east-central Colorado near Calhan, is home to towering hoodoos, colorful fluvial and pedogenic deposits, and a rich archaeological history. Mother Nature Network included Paint Mines as one of the twelve most colorful natural wonders on Earth, and not to be missed!
During this one-day field trip, we will examine two sequences of synorogenic deposits. Lignites and fluvial sandstone from the Cretaceous to Paleocene D1 Sequence are overlain by mudstones, paleosols, and fluvial and overbank deposits of the latest Paleocene to early Eocene D2 Sequence. An unconformity spanning 8 million years separates the sequences. We will discuss the two pulses of Laramide mountain building, with episodic displacement along thrust faults bounding the Front Range, that are recorded in these sequences. Another focus will be the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), which took place approximately 56 million years ago and occurs within the D2 Sequence.
This will be a family-friendly trip along mostly flat trails. Running shoes or sandals are perfectly adequate footwear. Be aware that after a rain, trails can be muddy.
Carpooling is highly recommended. One group will leave the Denver Museum of Nature and Science at 8 a.m. and another group will leave the Light Rail Station at Santa Fe and Mineral at 8:15 a.m. Be prepared for a 2-1/2 to 3 hour drive one way. If you prefer to drive on your own, please meet at the main (north) parking lot at 29950 Paint Mine Road NO LATER than 11:00 a.m. This is the only Park location with restrooms.
Bring your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of water or sports drinks. No water is available in the Park. Be prepared for hot and dry and/or cool and rainy weather. Sunscreen, sun hat, long-sleeved shirt if sun sensitive, rain jacket, and a light fleece or sweatshirt are recommended. Rock hammers are NOT allowed in the Park. We anticipate the trip will take approximately 3 to 4 hours before heading back to Denver.
Cost is $25 for RMS-SEPM members, $30 for nonmembers, and $10 for additional family members and students. Proceeds will be used for the RMS-SEPM student scholarship funds.
Registration is Open, Click that Hoodoo to Register!
Paint Mines Interpretive Park, located in east-central Colorado near Calhan, is home to towering hoodoos, colorful fluvial and pedogenic deposits, and a rich archaeological history. Mother Nature Network included Paint Mines as one of the twelve most colorful natural wonders on Earth, and not to be missed!
During this one-day field trip, we will examine two sequences of synorogenic deposits. This will be a family-friendly trip along mostly flat trails. Running shoes or sandals are perfectly adequate footwear. Be aware that after a rain, trails can be muddy.
Bring your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of water or sports drinks. No water is available in the Park. Be prepared for hot and dry and/or cool and rainy weather. Sunscreen, sun hat, long-sleeved shirt if sun sensitive, rain jacket, and a light fleece or sweatshirt are recommended. Rock hammers are NOT allowed in the Park. We anticipate the trip will take approximately 3 to 4 hours before heading back to Denver.
Cost is $25 for RMS-SEPM members, $30 for nonmembers, and $10 for additional family members and students. Proceeds will be used for the RMS-SEPM student scholarship funds.