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In the background is the Devil's Stairsteps, one of the many large rock walls known as radial dikes. In the photograph above (top photo) and the geologic map below, you will see numerous dikes (over 500) radiating out, like spokes of a wheel, from the twin Spanish Peaks. Contrary to popular belief, the Spanish Peaks (also known by their Indian name Huajatolla, meaning "Breasts of the World") are not volcanoes. They began forming 65 million years ago when two huge masses of magma (molten rock) were pushed closer to the earth's surface by powerful subterranean forces known as plate tectonics - forces that helped create the Rocky Mountains.
The magma solidified into igneous rock beneath the earth's surface 24 million years ago, and continued to move upwards, causing overlying, softer sedimentary rock to crack in a radial pattern. Over the course of the next million years, the cracks filled with magma and cooled into igneous rock of different composition than the Spanish Peaks. As the region continued to rise, over a mile of sedimentary rocks eroded away, exposing the two Spanish Peaks, and the crack fillings, which became the radial dikes. The Spanish Peaks have one of the most spectacular radial dike systems in the world.
LEGEND
Eons ago, when the earth was new, the Devil sneaked out of his fiery home to survey the world. He found an easy way up by climbing the Devil's Stairsteps in the pristine Cuchara valley. As he viewed the beauty of the earth from the twin peaks, he plotted how to make the world his own. God, however, learned about his plan, and banished the Devil from this beautiful valley. The Devil reluctantly retreated down the Stairsteps, never to return.