Tooth of Time facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tooth of Time |
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Tooth of Time from the South
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 9,003 ft (2,744 m) |
| Prominence | 203 ft (62 m) |
| Geography | |
 Tooth of Time
Location in New Mexico
Tooth of Time
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | Cimarron Range, Sangre de Cristo Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Tooth of Time |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
The Tooth of Time is a famous rock formation at the Philmont Scout Ranch. It is located about five miles (8.0 km) southwest of Cimarron, New Mexico, in the United States. This unique rock is one of the most popular sights at Philmont.
The Tooth of Time is made of a type of rock called igneous rock. This means it was formed from hot, melted rock (magma) that cooled down. It was created between 22 and 40 million years ago, during a time called the Paleogene Period.
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A Landmark on the Santa Fe Trail
The Tooth of Time stands out clearly from the valley below, rising about 2,500 feet (760 m) high. Its steep sides mean that not many plants can grow on it. The rock's pinkish-gray color and unusual shape make it easy to spot.
Long ago, traders traveling on the Santa Fe Trail knew the Tooth of Time very well. They used it as a special landmark. When they saw the Tooth, they knew they were only about seven days away from reaching Santa Fe, New Mexico.
How the Tooth of Time Formed
The Tooth of Time was created when magma (melted rock from deep inside the Earth) pushed up through older layers of rock. This magma then cooled down very slowly.
Over millions of years, the softer, older rock around it slowly wore away. This process is called erosion. The harder igneous rock of the Tooth of Time was left standing tall. The older rock layers acted like a mold, shaping the magma as it cooled and hardened.
The Tooth of Time sits on top of a ridge, which is a long, narrow hill. This ridge was also formed by the same geological process.
Climbing the Tooth of Time
The Tooth of Time is on the eastern end of a long hill called Tooth of Time Ridge. Another peak, Shaefer's Peak, is on the western end.
There is a trail that goes for about 3.5 miles from Shaefer's Pass to the Tooth Ridge campsite. This campsite is right at the bottom of the Tooth of Time. From there, it's a short climb to the top. This type of climb, where you use your hands and feet but don't need ropes, is called a scramble.
Another path, called the Stockade Trail, goes up the steeper back side of the Tooth. This trail ends at an animal stockade (a fenced area) near a road. The very first time people used ropes to climb the main, steep face of the Tooth was in July 1972. This climb was done by Lee Davis, Rick Barrett, and Randy Wright.
Images for kids
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Tooth of Time from the South
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Panoramic view from top of the Tooth of Time.
