# Tooth of Time > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tooth_of_Time > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tooth_of_Time.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_of_Time > Source revision: 1355993844 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Geological feature in New Mexico, US}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2025}} {{use mdy dates|date=May 2012}} {{infobox mountain | name = Tooth of Time | image = Philmont Scout Ranch Tooth of Time 2004.jpg | image_caption = Tooth of Time from the South | elevation_ft = 9003 | elevation_ref = [http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=21394 Tooth of Time - Peakbagger.com] | prominence_ft = 203 | prominence_ref = | map = USA New Mexico#USA | location = [Colfax County](/source/Colfax_County%2C_New_Mexico), [New Mexico, US](/source/New_Mexico) | range = [Cimarron Range](/source/Sangre_de_Cristo_Mountains), [Sangre de Cristo Mountains](/source/Sangre_de_Cristo_Mountains) | coordinates = {{coord|36|26|53|N|105|0|29|W|type:mountain_region:US_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | range_coordinates = | coordinates_ref = | topo = [USGS](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey) Tooth of Time | first_ascent = antiquity | easiest_route = [Scramble](/source/Scrambling) }} The '''Tooth of Time''' is a geological feature on the [Philmont Scout Ranch](/source/Philmont_Scout_Ranch) located {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} southwest of [Cimarron, New Mexico](/source/Cimarron%2C_New_Mexico), United States, and is one of Philmont's most popular sights. It is an [igneous intrusion](/source/igneous_intrusion) of [dacite](/source/dacite) [porphyry](/source/Porphyry_(geology)) formed in the [Paleogene](/source/Paleogene) Period of the [Cenozoic](/source/Cenozoic) Era some 22–40 million years ago. == Santa Fe Trail == The Tooth rises prominently from the valley floor, some {{convert|2500|ft|m}} below, creating a sheer vertical face unable to support substantial plant life. Both its pinkish-gray color and its unusual shape make it a particularly notable geological landmark. It was well known among the overland traders on the [Santa Fe Trail](/source/Santa_Fe_Trail), who used it to mark the final seven-day push to [Santa Fe, New Mexico](/source/Santa_Fe%2C_New_Mexico). == Geology == The Tooth was formed when [magma](/source/magma) from deep within the Earth rose through older rock layers and slowly cooled. Over many thousands of years, the older [sedimentary rock](/source/sedimentary_rock) eroded and left the harder igneous formation. The sedimentary rock acted as a mold for the intrusive magma, causing it to harden and cool where the sedimentary rock was strongest. The Tooth sits atop a prominent ridge created through the process mentioned above. == Climbing == thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Panoramic view from Tooth of Time|Panoramic view from top of the Tooth of Time. The Tooth of Time is located on the east end of Tooth of Time Ridge, while Shaefer's Peak is located on the west end of the ridge. A trail extends about 3.5 miles from Shaefer's Pass to the [Tooth Ridge campsite](/source/Philmont_Scout_Ranch_camps), located at the base of the Tooth of Time, with a short scramble ascending the Tooth. Another trail, known as the Stockade Trail, extends along the steeper back side and terminates at an animal [stockade](/source/stockade) along a road.[http://summitpost.org/tooth-of-time/151117 Tooth of Time : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost] The first roped ascent of the main face was completed in July 1972 by Lee Davis, Rick Barrett, and Randy Wright.Climbing Magazine, Sept/Oct 1972{{verify source|date=December 2017}} == See also == {{portal|Scouting}} * [Baldy Mountain (Colfax County, New Mexico)](/source/Baldy_Mountain_(Colfax_County%2C_New_Mexico)) * [Mount Phillips (New Mexico)](/source/Mount_Phillips_(New_Mexico)) * [Geography and ecology of Philmont Scout Ranch](/source/Geography_and_ecology_of_Philmont_Scout_Ranch) == References == {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://scouting.org/philmont Official website of Philmont Scout Ranch] {{Philmont Scout Ranch}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tooth Of Time}} category:igneous intrusions category:landforms of Colfax County, New Mexico Cimarron, New Mexico category:rock formations of New Mexico category:Santa Fe Trail --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tooth of Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_of_Time) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_of_Time?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.