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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260521T090000
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SUMMARY:Geology Hike: Ice Caves Loop\, Pagosa
DESCRIPTION:Again this year\, SJMA in conjunction with the US Forest Service\, Pagosa and Bayfield Ranger Districts\, is hosting educational geology hikes\, free for the public\, from May through October. These interpretive hikes\, led and presented by geologists Dave Bouquet and Scott McAllisters\, will be in an area of the San Juan National Forest rich with evidence of earth’s geologic history from some of the area’s oldest metamorphic rocks\, to Cretaceous seaways\, to Tertiary volcanoes\, to modern glacial deposits. \nFissuring Out the Past \nWhen you hear the term “ice cave”\, thoughts of dripping ice-encrusted stalactites clinging to the icy blue ceiling of a glacial cavern may come to mind. This hike is not that\, yet it’s fascinating in its own right. Not really caves\, these are more like giant cracks; fissures in the underlying Dakota sandstone. Varying in size from one to eight feet wide\, up to a hundred feet long and 30 feet deep\, these chasms are cool year-round and often hold snow well into the summer. Layers of rock tell a story as old as time. Your guide will briefly explain regional geology and Morrison\, Dakota and Mancos stratigraphy (Jurassic/Cretaceous) and also explain theory for the origin of ice caves. Included is a side hike to a stunning clifftop grand vista of the San Juan Mountains in the distance\, and deep riparian river valleys below. \nTrail Information: This is a loop route\, partially off trail\, with sustained\, moderately difficult inclines/declines\, on rocky terrain near high cliffs. Hike time is approximately 4 hours total\, 3.5 miles round trip\, and about 500 ft. vertical ascent. We will finish at the parking lot just after noon\, and there is a picnic area nearby if you wish to bring your own lunch to eat after the hike.  We will have a snack break along the trail at a beautiful overlook spot. \nWhen: May 21\, 2026 from 9:00am – 1:30pm \nWhere: Group meet at the Coyote Hill Trailhead\, 6 miles north of Pagosa Springs on County Road 600. After a brief introduction\, we will caravan to our next stop aprox. 20 miles further up the road. \nWhat to Bring: \n\nLayers of cool and warm clothing\nWater (1/2 to 1 liter per hour)\nSturdy\, supportive footwear\nLunch/snacks\nRain jacket or poncho\nHiking Daypack\nSunscreen and sunglasses\nCamera\n\nCost: Free\, $10 donation is greatly appreciated! \nPlease Note: Although pets are allowed in the national forest\, we ask that pets be left at home as a courtesy to the other guests in the group. \nRegistration is required. Spaces limited to 25 attendees. \n[vc_btn title=”REGISTER TODAY” color=”green” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fsjma.app.neoncrm.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Fsjma%2FeventRegistration.jsp%3Fevent%3D4883%26||target:%20_blank|”]\n 
URL:https://sjma.org/event/geology-hike-ice-caves-2026-05/
CATEGORIES:Interpretive Programs,Pagosa Area
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sjma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20251009_RFish_015_PagosaGeologyHike-web.jpg
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