Wheeler Geologic Area

Wheeler Geologic Area is part of the La Garita Wilderness [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&WID=303], within this area you will find many trails, some nearby peaks over 13,000 ft and amazing views. Located near the old mining town of Creede, Wheeler is accessible by a 7 mile hike or a grueling 14 mile four wheel drive road. Your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation of moderately coarse volcanic tuff eroded into many different shapes.   Advice is to plan a whole day trip in order to travel into Wheeler, enjoy the formations, and then get back out.  It is not a short, easy trip. ROAD IS EXTREMELY ROUGH WITH DEEP RUTS      HIGH CLEARANCE JEEP OR ATV TRAVEL IS RECOMMENDED. In addition to trail # 790 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=28996&actid=51], East Bellows Creek Trail, from Hansons Mill, # 789 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=71054&actid=51] Wason- Wheeler Trail from north of Creede there are several trails  that either lead to Wheeler or from Wheeler on into the La Garita Wilderness. Check out the details for the following trails, 871 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29252&actid=51], 912 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29340&actid=51], 784 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29368&actid=51], 783 [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29380&actid=51] and 888. [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29378&actid=51] There is a lot of information available on the internet, the following are two good sites to visit: www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-rio-grande-national-forest-colorado-sidwcmdev_066105.html [http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-rio-grande-national-forest-colorado-sidwcmdev_066105.html] and www.sangres.com/features/wheelergeologic.htm [http://www.sangres.com/features/wheelergeologic.htm] At the end of the Wheeler Road #600 there are several dispersed campsites for the public to use.  You are not allowed to camp or have campfires inside the area of the formations. Dispersed camping is allowed at Hansons Mill site [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=29038&actid=34] located just south of the East Bellows Creek trailhead.