Hike with an expert in Colorado's geologic history!
The Pikes Peak region is world renowned for its spectacular geology. Learn the incredible story of ancient mountains, deserts, and seas that led to the fantastic scenery in the Garden of the Gods Park and the surrounding area.
We Specialize in fun, educational, high quality hiking tours!
Garden of the Gods
Ancient Landscapes: From Deserts to Seas
On this immersive hike, we'll identify minerals, fossils, faults, and details that reveal the rock's secret history. This hike offers spectacular scenery in a quieter, less traveled area that is unparalleled in its display of the Garden of the Gods geologic history. This is a private hiking tour just for your group!
Full tour schedule mid-May to late August
(limited availability from late August to mid-May, please contact us to book during this time)
Your Guide
Investigating metamorphic rocks (metaquartzites) along Diamond Hill, Ireland
Eric Billmeyer
Eric is an award winning instructor of geology and physical geography with over 18 years of teaching experience at the university level. Eric has led field courses throughout Colorado, Utah, and Ireland and is excited to share his knowledge with you as we explore Colorado's amazing geology!
Plaster jacketing dinosaur bone at the Nail Quarry, Como Bluffs, WY
Susan
Sept 29th, 2022
“We booked the Garden of the Gods Full Experience Tour with Eric for September 24th. Based on the ease of booking the tour, directions to the meeting point, and final confirmation of the tour, we had a great experience before the tour even began! We were impressed by Eric’s ability to share his vast geologic knowledge in an organized, logical manner that did not overwhelm. The almost 4-hour tour kept all of us engaged, including our 11yo son. Eric took us on a journey across time that educated us on the formation of the Rocky Mountains, Pike’s Peak, Garden of the Gods, and much more. His ability to explain all this to three (enthusiastic) novices was just extraordinary. We loved learning about the various rock formations and seeing a variety of fossils along the way. We would have missed out on many of these fossil sightings if we had hiked the Garden of the Gods on our own. We highly recommend the Garden of the Gods Full Experience tour with Eric; you will not be disappointed!”
Sean
July 11, 2022
“Trail Gem Geology Tours was fantastic! The Garden of the Gods park is already beautiful, but the geology tour is a definite recommend. From the beginning to the end, it was like walking through millions of years of history over a two hour hike, and let me tell you, it didn’t feel like two hours at all. The structure of the hike going through the different geological time periods, stopping to look at different formations and how and when they were formed, and seeing local minerals and fossils were all highlights. His professorship showed as it felt like a really entertaining geology class wrapped in a scenic hike. The stops along the hike were also well timed to get snacks and water and shade, and also highlighted different minerals, rocks, or formations so the stops were restful, but never boring. I’d do this hike again and again. Very well done.”
Rick
July 3, 2022
We highly recommend taking a guided tour with Trail Gems Geology Tours. Our family loved our geological tour through Garden of the Gods! We were all amazed with not only the beautiful views on our hike but the abundance of information and knowledge shared with us. We would have missed seeing the coolest things if we had walked the trail on our own. I think our favorite part was seeing the fossils. The mid-hike snacks were much appreciated too! Thank you again Eric for a fun, memorable morning during our vacation in Colorado! Wish we could have you in our back pocket on all of our hikes 🙂
ABOUT US
At Trail Gems we specialize in fun, educational, high quality tours and hikes to discover the beauty and rich geologic history on display throughout Colorado. Our experienced guides are very knowledgeable about the regional geology and are passionate educators. Book a trip with us and let us take care of you on an amazing geology adventure!