Colorado’s Paint Mines

Park sign at the entrance
Park sign at the entrance

I just got back from a short foray on the plains of Colorado.  It was my first time visiting Paint Mines Interpretive Park, but I guarantee it will not be my last.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is part of the El Paso County Parks system.  It’s a small park (approximately 300 acres) about 50 miles southeast of Denver, or about 30 miles northeast of Colorado Springs.  The park consists of about four miles of hiking trails through scenic badlands in the lower washes, and windswept open plains in the higher sections.  The trails are well maintained and well marked, but the best part about Paint Mines Interpretive Park is that it is perfectly located for being a part of the GPT!

Beautiful red and yellow badland formations are the highlight of the park.  The colors are due to oxidized iron in the soil.
Beautiful red and yellow badland formations are the highlight of the park. The colors are due to oxidized iron in the soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpretive signs explain the history, geology, and ecology of the area.
Interpretive signs explain the history, geology, and ecology of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trails are well maintained.
The trails are well maintained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The higher trails offer excellent Great Plains views and vistas!
The higher trails offer excellent Great Plains views and vistas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Routing the GPT through Paint Mines should be a priority as established trails in this area are few and far between.

The pleasant town of Calhan, CO is just about a mile or so to the north and offers most basic amenities.

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