Devil's Backbone Open Space

Devil's Backbone Open Space is open from dawn to dusk, has no entrance fee, and is located west of Loveland, Colorado.

Red-tailed hawks soaring above, grasslands carpeted with wildflowers, towering rock formations - these are just some of the natural features to be enjoyed at the 2,198-acre Devil's Backbone Open Space. Its 12 miles of trail connect to Rimrock Open Space and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, observing nature, as well as enjoying close-up inspection of the rock outcrop and long vistas.

The Devil's Backbone itself is one of the most impressive and visible geologic landmarks in Larimer County, as well as an important cultural feature with a rich and colorful history.

Drinking water is available at the trailhead. Please carry enough for your hike or ride. This open space is popular. If you arrive to a full parking lot, that means trails are at maximum capacity. Please consider a different open space for the day and come back another time.

General Regulations

• Rock is unstable. Rock climbing not allowed.

• Day use only. Closed sunset to sunrise.

• The "dusk-to-dawn" gate at the trailhead opens and closes at sunset - please time your hike/ride accordingly.

• Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

• Stay on the trail to avoid and not disturb wildlife, including rattlesnakes.

• Firearms, fires, fireworks, hunting and trapping are prohibited.

• Bike riders - Control your speed at all times and remember trail courtesy. Bikers yield to everyone.

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL REGULATIONS SET BY THE PARK!

Devil’s Backbone is what is known as a hogback, or a rocky ridge with steep sides and tilted sedimentary rock protruding from the earth’s surface. The name comes from the ridge resembling the high, knobby spine between the shoulders of a hog. In most cases, the sedimentary rock that composes a hogback is two different types of rock that each erode at various speeds. The softer rock erodes more quickly than overlying hard rock. As time goes on, the softer rock erodes away leaving the harder sedimentary rock behind. This erosion creates cliffs that steepen as the softer rock continues to erode away. A hogback is defined as a steep slope that is greater than 30° - 40° with a near symmetric slope on each ridge face.

Devil’s Backbone is a hogback that has a spine that rises about 220 feet above the surrounding valleys and was deposited during the Cretaceous Period about 145 to 65 million years ago. The rock layers are part of the ancient beach that was created by erosion from the second rising of the Rocky Mountains mixing with the nearby ancient sea.

The above information was compiled using the following sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogback_(geology)

http://www.fcmdsc.org/trails/tour1/tour1-devilsbackbone.html

Answers can be found by visiting both signs on either side of the parking lot.

To log this EarthCache, email me the answers to the following questions:

1.) What kind of rock is the Devil’s Backbone composed of?

2.) What type of mineral was found in the southern end of Devil’s Backbone?

3.) The Devil’s Backbone is a remnant of an ancient fold in the earth’s surface, also known as what?

Also it is recommended (though not required!) that you add a picture of yourself at the Devil's Backbone. There is a waypoint that will take you to a good photo spot with the Backbone in the background, that is not a far walk down the trail. Below is an example of the photo location.

Ferrarifunatic at the Devil's Backbone

Enjoy the site and remember to have fun!