Indian Springs Trace Fossil NNL Site

This 450 million-year-old National Natural Landmark changed paleontology history when it was discovered on a private working ranch by Bennie Thorson just east of Cañon City in the 1960s. Carly Thorson, his daughter, provides a guided tour and will decipher and explain the movement of the creatures whose incredibly-preserved fossil footprints were captured in one moment of time when a storm event covered the shallow floor of this Ordovician – Harding Sandstone Formation estuary. Literally stopped in their tracks, we will learn to spot a resting spot, feeding trace, flick of a fin in the sand, even the impression of bristles on a leg, a stinger on a tail, and the tiniest trilobite tracks.

Indian Springs is considered the best Ordovician trace fossil site in North America and has been a federally protected registered National Natural Landmark since 1979. It is a significant location for paleontology, geology, archeology, botany, and recent history. It is the type locality for 9 trace fossil genera and species, and illustrates traces of arthropods (trilobites, eurypterids, horseshoe crabs), polycheate worms, and ostracoderm fish – primarily Astraspis desiderata, a primitive jawless fish which represents the earliest record of cartilage-to-bone in the chain of evolution.

During the walk through pristine juniper woods and then along a 2-track, Carly will describe the medicinal nature of various plants, a Civil War site, a petroglyph, and geologic features.

Indian Springs is a private working ranch. No collecting is allowed. Participants must walk in as a group and leave as a group – no early departures except in an emergency. The 1/2 mile walk to the monument is not strenuous, but there can be cactus, rattlesnakes, cows, barbed wire, etc. Wear sunscreen, bring water and snacks/lunch, and wear hiking boots; no open toed shoes allowed. The tour will depart at 9:30 am sharp. Please arrive by 9:15 am. For safety reasons, late arrivals will not be allowed to go on the field trip. The field trip will last 2-3 hours.

An additional $15 per person for the guided tour will be collected at the site on the day of the field trip. Be certain to bring the exact cash of $15 per person, as checks and credit cards can’t be accepted. Additional information will be sent out a week prior to the field trip.