Pikes Peak

Geography and Geology

Much of the fame of Pikes Peak is due to its location near the eastern edge of the Rockies. Unlike most other similarly tall mountains in Colorado, it serves as a visible landmark for many miles to the east, far into the Great Plains. Driving south on Interstate 25 from the city of Fort Collins, it comes into view over a hundred and thirty miles away. It is notable for its imposing appearance both from the east (167Kb image) and from the west (179Kb image).

Related Topics:
Great Plains - Fort Collins - From the east (167Kb image) - From the west (179Kb image)

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Pikes Peak is made of a characteristic pink granite, called Pikes peak granite. The pink color is due to a large amount of potassium feldspar. The granite was formed by an igneous intrusion in the Pre-Cambrian age, approximately 1.1 billion years ago, during the Granville orogeny.

Related Topics:
Granite - Pikes peak granite - Potassium feldspar - Pre-Cambrian - Granville orogeny

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