Painted Mines Interpretive Park

Painted Mines Interprtive Park is an interesting place that I've heard about but never thought of visiting - I don't travel east much as it isn't appealing to me. It is flat, fences everywhere and probably not similar to the plains found in the past - I imagine were originally flowing, glowing grass fields long gone. This was a more of a photo trip vs. hiking and the interpretive park is very different - It stands out from its surroundings. This isn't what you would call a normal park, it is an geological anomaly with a history dating back 9000 years. You'll find colorful layered hoodoos created from clays indian tribes used as ceremonial paints and pottery.

This park is similar to Florissant Fossil Beds Natianal Monument as far as the walking paths - a basic stroll where the paths pass by the most colorful and interesting hoodoos and spires. The paths undulate throughout these badlands and provide a decent way to get a few steps in. I was curious which Native American Tribes inhabited the area and found that Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Ute tribes were mostly considered the most prevelant. These groups were nomadic and used the lands for hunting and gathering of the clays but this activity spanned 9000 years where certain groups dominited the area for periods of time.

The park is a 750 acre protected open space in Calhoun,CO listed on the National Registry of Histonic places and is focused mainly on the historic nature and the visually interesting landscape than a wide range of activities but it is worth a trip just see these interesting formations. The amemities are scarce but they have provided a restroom - pack in and pack out is always a good mindset - pick up some ramdom trash when you visit! Also note: Domestic animals are stictly banned.

Hoodoo showing pink layers

Highlights the variety of colorfull clays

A balancing rock