Devil's Stairsteps along Highway of Legends Scenic Byway, Huerfano County, Colorado


The volcanic dike of the Devil's Stairsteps tower above the road along the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway in Huerfano County, Colorado. The dike is made up of both volcanic and baked sedimentary rock and is flanked by additional hardened fins of baked sedimentary rock exposed by erosion. This byway extends from La Veta in the north to Trinidad in the south, with a spur leading across Cordova Pass and back to Interstate 25 at Aguilar, Colorado. The Spanish Peaks are a magma intrusion that was uplifted and eroded to their current heights of 12,688 feet (East Spanish Peak) and 13,631 feet (West Spanish Peak). The Spanish Peaks are unique for the radial magma dikes extending in a circular pattern around West Spanish Peak and nearby Silver Mountain. One of the largest and most noticeable dikes is called the Devil's Stairstep.


Size: 5200px × 3467px
Location: Devil's Stairsteps, Highway 12, La Veta, Colorado
Photo credit: © Denise Dethlefsen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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