Pike National Forest, Eastern Part, Colorado, Parts of Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, and Teller Counties
The most common soil here is Sphinx, on about 46% of the land: a very gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Catamount and Legault come next.
About 96% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 91% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Pike National Forest, Eastern Part, Colorado, Parts of Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, and Teller Counties, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Pike National Forest, Eastern Part, Colorado, Parts of Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, and Teller Counties. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sphinx-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 80 percent slopes | 82K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sphinx gravelly coarse sandy loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 61K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sphinx, warm-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 80 percent slopes | 50K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sphinx gravelly coarse sandy loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 41K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sphinx gravelly coarse sandy loam, warm, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 30K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ivywild-Catamount gravelly sandy loams, 5 to 70 percent slopes, very bouldery | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catamount-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sphinx gravelly coarse sandy loam, warm, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aquolls, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Legault-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cirque land, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Legault very gravelly coarse sandy loam, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boyett-Frenchcreek complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Sphinx, warm complex, 15 to 80 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Sphinx complex, 15 to 80 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Catamount complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 5K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Legault very gravelly coarse sandy loam, 40 to 65 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tecolote very gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catamount gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catamount gravelly sandy loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.