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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Western Interior Paleontological Society
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260529
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20260227T164216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T225502Z
UID:18284-1780012800-1780271999@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:WIPS Contingent to the Tate Museum Conference
DESCRIPTION:Dates: May 29th – 31st – One day of speakers and two days of field trips. Saturday evening includes a dinner and Keynote Speaker Kirk Johnson. \nTheme: Twilight of the Dinosaurs: Terrestrial Life in the Cretaceous \nLeader:  Dennis Gertenbach \nLocation: Tate Museum\, 125 College Drive\, Casper\, WY 82601. \nLodging: The Ramkota Hotel in Casper is the host hotel. The Keynote Dinner will be held there. They also have a shuttle available to bring folks to the Casper College campus\, as long as there is no airport shuttle at that time. The number is 307-266-6000. \nField Trip(s): Still being finalized. One will include the Lance Formation area in eastern Wyoming. We will visit sites that have been worked on by Tate Museum crews for years. This is less of a collecting trip\, but rather a show and tell. There will be time for prospecting. On our field trips we usually allow personal collecting and/or collecting for your institution\, but the Tate Museum and the landowner would have first rights of refusal for any fairly complete or unusual specimens found. \nCost:  Participants are responsible for the conference cost\, lodging\, food\, and transportation to Casper and back. The cost for the conference has not been announced\, but those who sign up for the WIPS contingent will be notified about the cost and how to register for the conference. Note: There is no WIPS field trip fee for signing up to join the ‘WIPS contingent’ to the Conference. \nEvery year the Tate Museum in Casper\, Wyoming\, holds a three-day conference\, with one day of talks and two days of field trips. The topic for this year’s 30th Annual Conference will be Twilight of the Dinosaurs: Terrestrial Life in the Cretaceous. Kirk Johnson is the keynote speaker and Saturday’s talks will feature speakers from around the country. \nOnce again the WIPS Education Subcommittee is organizing a WIPS contingent to the Conference. We will meet up for breakfasts and dinners\, and enjoy each other’s company over the weekend. Participants can arrange for carpooling to Casper among themselves. \nParticipants are responsible for the conference cost\, lodging\, food\, and transportation to Casper and back. The cost for the conference has not been announced\, but those who sign up for the WIPS contingent will be notified about the cost and how to register for the conference. The Ramkota Hotel in Casper is the host hotel for the Conference\, and there are blocks of rooms reserved at the hotel for the pre-tax price of $89 per night. \nQuestions? Contact Dennis Gertenbach at gertenbach1@gmail.com. Come for an enjoyable weekend of Cretaceous terrestrial life.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/wips-contingent-to-the-tate-museum-conference/
LOCATION:Tate Museum\, Casper College\, 125 College Drive\, Casper\, 82601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Tate-Conference.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dennis Gertenbach - Leader":MAILTO:gertenbach1@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260110T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260110T110000
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20251101T193131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251214T224032Z
UID:17280-1768035600-1768042800@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Denver Museum of Nature & Science
DESCRIPTION:The Museum has offered WIPS members a behind the scenes tour. Group(s) of 10 to 15 members will be guided by an Earth Sciences curator. Tours will last about 60 to 90 minutes. After the tour members are encouraged to view the rest of the Museum on their own. Accompanied children\, age 10-17 are allowed. \nRegular WIPS field trip fees apply\, but there are no admission fees to the Museum. Enter at staff-volunteer entrance\, about 100 feet east (left) of main entrance and say you are here for WIPS tour. A greeter will direct you to our group. The Museum opens at 9:00\, so there is little point in arriving early. If you are running later than 9:15\, call trip leader Dan Winester at 303-709-4585 or curator James Hagadorn at 413-348-1176. \nThere is space to store jackets etc. and time to use the restroom. \nRegistration ends on January 2nd.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/denver-museum-of-nature-science/
LOCATION:DMNS\, 2001 Colorado Blvd.\, Denver\, CO\, 80205\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dmns-1093-1201x801-d21b45d.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dan Winester":MAILTO:deadfishrman@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251227T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251231T170000
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20251016T214020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251224T183356Z
UID:17228-1766826000-1767200400@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Comanche National Grassland: Upper Carlile and Lower Niobrara
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, December 27\, 2025 \nWIPS member Steve Miller (Principal Investigator) has obtained a Paleontological Resources Research Permit through the US Forest Service (USFS) to conduct a survey of the Blue Hill Shale Member of the Carlile Formation in the Comanche National Grassland. The survey enabled by this permit provides WIPS members with an opportunity to do some information gathering and fossil collecting that will benefit the USFS and those who choose to participate. \nThe survey involves examining the Blue Hill Shale Member to look for fossils and other influences in the paleoenvironment. We will be looking for features such as indications of wave base activity on a horizon\, localized denser and less fissile shales perhaps including nodules which encase fossils\, or any other horizon of paleontological interest. \nIndividuals are responsible for correctly identifying fossils as vertebrate\, invertebrate\, plant\, or some other feature or artifact. Consult the Principal Investigator or experienced member if you have questions about a fossil\, its provenance\, or its disposition. \nThe site is in a more remote area of the Comanche National Grassland. It is accessible with vehicles that have eight inches or more of ground clearance. Carpooling is recommended from a meet-up location. Shuttling can be arranged if necessary. \nThis trip will take place on Saturday\, December 27. \nThe area is large\, and people will be encouraged to spread out as far as they are comfortable from the parking area. Pack your lunch. Bring lots of water. \nWe’ll meet up at the Timpas Picnic Area on US 350 at 9:00 and leave there at 9:30 for the site. \n20 person limit. Kids under 18 allowed with adult members!
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/comanche-national-grassland-upper-carlile-and-lower-niobrara/
LOCATION:Timpas\, CO\, Rt. 350\, Timpas\, CO\, 81050\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251013_141309-scaled.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Steve Miller - Leader":MAILTO:steve_miller_cs@yahoo.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251102T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251102T150000
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20250915T141633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T141351Z
UID:15390-1762088400-1762095600@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Tour of Steve Jorgensen's Ammonite Collection
DESCRIPTION:Steve Jorgensen has accumulated a world-class collection of ammonites from the Western Interior Seaway and has invited WIPS members to his home to tour his collection. During the tour\, Steve will show examples of the wide variety of ammonites that lived during the Campanian and Maastrichtian Stages of the Late Cretaceous. You will see closely coiled planispiral ammonites\, as well as weirdly shaped heteromorph ammonites and straight baculites. As part of the tour\, he will touch on how ammonites fit in the ecosystem of the Western Interior Seaway. \nSeveral ammonites in his collection show signs of predation from other creatures that feasted on ammonites in the Western Interior Seaway. \nThe tour will last 2 hours\, beginning at 1 pm\, and is open to adult and high school WIPS members. It is limited to 10 participants. Cameras are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring Western Interior Seaway ammonites with locality information that you would like Steve to tentatively identify. \nAnd plan to bring food to share with the group.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/tour-of-steve-jorgensens-ammonite-collection/
LOCATION:Highlands Ranch\, Highlands Ranch\, CO\, 80129\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jorgensen-Tour-Photo.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dennis Gertenbach - Leader":MAILTO:gertenbach1@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250927T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250927T130000
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20250713T161025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250802T225253Z
UID:14176-1758963600-1758978000@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Indian Springs Trace Fossil NNL Site
DESCRIPTION: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. \nIndian 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. \nDuring 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. \nIndian 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. \nAn 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.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/indian-springs-trace-fossil-nnl-site/
LOCATION:Indian Springs\, 3257 County Road 67\, Penrose\, CO\, 81240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/thumbnail.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Cindy Smith - Leader":MAILTO:cindysmithrocks@me.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250904
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250908
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20240308T142254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250802T225713Z
UID:4561-1756944000-1757289599@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Como Bluff Three\, Nail Quarry 2025
DESCRIPTION:Home of the famous “Bone Wars” in the 1880s\, South-Central Wyoming’s Como Bluff has produced many well-preserved specimens from the Morrison Formation. Most of these were collected by men working for O.C. Marsh between 1877 and 1889 as well as the Hubbel brothers under E.D. Cope between 1879 and 1880. \nThe Nail Quarry is on private ranchland and Anita Colin along with J.P. Cavigelli are the quarry managers. Hundreds of bones have been excavated from this site; primarily remains of “classic” Jurassic dinosaurs such as Allosaurus\, Apatosaurus\, and Stegosaurus. All fossils are for scientific research and go to the Tate Museum in Casper\, Wyoming\, where they are prepped and studied by J.P. Cavigelli and his team. \nThis field opportunity is ideal for those with little or no experience working in a dinosaur quarry. Some tools are provided; however\, people are encouraged to bring their own tools. There are jobs for everyone from learning to identify and excavate fossils to hauling matrix out of the dig site. \nAbout 1/2 mile from the quarry is a marine exposure called the Sundance Formation where participants can collect and keep fossils such as belemnites\, ammonites and other invertebrates of the ancient seas. \nDirections will be provided\, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended\, for driving into the quarry. Folks who do not have a high-clearance vehicle can arrange to carpool with other participants or can park (and camp) at the top of the hill and walk the rest of the way into camp. People can camp at the quarry or stay in motels in Rock River or Medicine Bow for around $100 per night. \nWIPS registration is $10 per person\, and the additional cost of the trip is $50 per person\, per weekend. Checks need to be made out to the Tate Geological Museum for this additional cost.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/como-bluff-three-nail-quarry-2024/
LOCATION:Nail Quarry\, WY\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Quarry-scaled-e1740613836665.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Steve Miller - Second Vice President":MAILTO:wips_trips@westernpaleo.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250821
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250825
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20240308T134048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250802T225941Z
UID:4551-1755734400-1756079999@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Como Bluff Two\, Nail Quarry 2025
DESCRIPTION:Home of the famous “Bone Wars” in the 1880s\, South-Central Wyoming’s Como Bluff has produced many well-preserved specimens from the Morrison Formation. Most of these were collected by men working for O.C. Marsh between 1877 and 1889 as well as the Hubbel brothers under E.D. Cope between 1879 and 1880. \nThe Nail Quarry is on private ranchland and Anita Colin along with J.P. Cavigelli are the quarry managers. Hundreds of bones have been excavated from this site; primarily remains of “classic” Jurassic dinosaurs such as Allosaurus\, Apatosaurus\, and Stegosaurus. All fossils are for scientific research and go to the Tate Museum in Casper\, Wyoming\, where they are prepped and studied by J.P. Cavigelli and his team. \nThis field opportunity is ideal for those with little or no experience working in a dinosaur quarry. Some tools are provided; however\, people are encouraged to bring their own tools. There are jobs for everyone from learning to identify and excavate fossils to hauling matrix out of the dig site. \nAbout 1/2 mile from the quarry is a marine exposure called the Sundance Formation where participants can collect and keep fossils such as belemnites\, ammonites and other invertebrates of the ancient seas. \nDirections will be provided\, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended\, for driving into the quarry. Folks who do not have a high-clearance vehicle can arrange to carpool with other participants or can park (and camp) at the top of the hill and walk the rest of the way into camp. People can camp at the quarry or stay in motels in Rock River or Medicine Bow for around $100 per night. \nWIPS registration is $10 per person\, and the additional cost of the trip is $50 per person\, per weekend. Checks need to be made out to the Tate Geological Museum for this additional cost.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/como-bluff-two-nail-quarry-2024/
LOCATION:Nail Quarry\, WY\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/In-Situ-scaled-e1740613520972.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Steve Miller - Second Vice President":MAILTO:wips_trips@westernpaleo.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250726T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250727T170000
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20250524T165802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250531T213929Z
UID:12088-1753516800-1753635600@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:PaleoZone Trip to the Nail Quarry
DESCRIPTION:PaleoZone members\, get involved with the experience of excavating and jacketing dinosaur bone fossils from the Nail Quarry at the Como Bluffs of Wyoming.  Although you cannot collect fossils at the quarry\, we will also hike to another site where you can collect belemnites and other marine fossils to add to your collection. \nThis trip is for WIPS PaleoZone members\, ages 9 and older. \nLimit:  8 children plus parent or parents \nCosts:  $10 quarry fee per person\, plus the regular WIPS field trip costs of $10 per adult and $5 per child. \nFor more information and to sign up\, contact Dennis Gertenbach. \ngertenbach1@gmail.com \n(303) 709-8218
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/paleozone-trip-to-the-nail-quarry/
LOCATION:Nail Quarry\, WY\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Quarry-scaled-e1740613836665.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dennis Gertenbach - Leader":MAILTO:gertenbach1@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250724
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250728
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20240302T234109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T221831Z
UID:4403-1753315200-1753660799@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Como Bluff One\, Nail Quarry 2025
DESCRIPTION:Home of the famous “Bone Wars” in the 1880s\, South-Central Wyoming’s Como Bluff has produced many well-preserved specimens from the Morrison Formation. Most of these were collected by men working for O.C. Marsh between 1877 and 1889 as well as the Hubbel brothers under E.D. Cope between 1879 and 1880. \nThe Nail Quarry is on private ranchland and Anita Colin along with J.P. Cavigelli are the quarry managers. Hundreds of bones have been excavated from this site; primarily remains of “classic” Jurassic dinosaurs such as Allosaurus\, Apatosaurus\, and Stegosaurus. All fossils are for scientific research and go to the Tate Museum in Casper\, Wyoming\, where they are prepped and studied by J.P. Cavigelli and his team. \nThis field opportunity is ideal for those with little or no experience working in a dinosaur quarry. Some tools are provided; however\, people are encouraged to bring their own tools. There are jobs for everyone from learning to identify and excavate fossils to hauling matrix out of the dig site. \nAbout 1/2 mile from the quarry is a marine exposure called the Sundance Formation where participants can collect and keep fossils such as belemnites\, ammonites and other invertebrates of the ancient seas. \nDirections will be provided\, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended\, for driving into the quarry. Folks who do not have a high-clearance vehicle can arrange to carpool with other participants or can park (and camp) at the top of the hill and walk the rest of the way into camp. People can camp at the quarry or stay in motels in Rock River or Medicine Bow for around $100 per night. \nWIPS registration is $10 per person\, and the additional cost of the trip is $50 per person\, per weekend. Checks need to be made out to the Tate Geological Museum for this additional cost.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/como-bluff-one-nail-quarry-thursday-july-11th-2024-to-monday-july-15th-2024/
LOCATION:Nail Quarry\, WY\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NailQuarry_2018_Gertenbach.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jana L. McKeeman - Leader":MAILTO:earthnerd89@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250712T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250712T150000
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20250628T175840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250629T205443Z
UID:14054-1752307200-1752332400@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Bridge Creek Ammonites and More!
DESCRIPTION:This will be a one-day trip for the collection of marine invertebrate fossils and lovely calcite crystals.  It’s on private land so please respect that and the boundaries of the property.  The landowner will be playing with us! The terrain is not difficult; it does get hot with heat reflecting of the ground. There is some shade from junipers. \nMeet at the intersection of CO 115 and Olsen Rd north of the town of Penrose. Check the field guide Shellie has produced for more detail. \nPayment *MUST* be made online – No checks or cash. You do not need a PayPal account to make a payment. You do need a valid pay card. Be sure to download and fill out the waiver form. The link to the form is provided in your confirmation email message. \nQuestions: contact Shellie Luallin. \nSome of the fossils that may be found:\nCollignoniceras woollgari\nVascoceras birchbyi\nInoceramids\nrudists\nBaculites sp. (possibly Baculites c.f. B. yokoyamai)
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/bridge-creek-ammonites-and-more/
LOCATION:Penrose\, CO\, Penrose\, CO\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/thumbnail-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Shellie Luallin - Leader":MAILTO:shellieluallin@comcast.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250628
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250629
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20250530T140927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250531T210543Z
UID:12253-1751068800-1751155199@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Corral Bluffs One
DESCRIPTION:Corral Bluffs is a site east of Colorado Springs that was featured in the NOVA special\, Rise of the Mammals. Plant and animal specimens which were collected – now in the collection of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science – existed during the first million years after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. Participants will meet off-site (info provided before trip). and follow Ms. Milito on paved and rugged dirt roads to arrive near site and hike in. Total of about 4 miles of hiking. Wear long pans and closed-toe shoes or hiking boots. Bring water and lunch. \nPrepare:  Visit the website CorralBluffs.org and the DMNS website. \nFossil collecting is prohibited. Children under 10 are prohibited. You are asked to donate $5 to the Corral Bluffs Alliance at the site before the hike starts.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/corral-bluffs-one/
LOCATION:Corral Bluffs\, Colorado Springs\, CO\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CB.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Catherine Carr - Leader":MAILTO:ogon@mac.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250621
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250622
DTSTAMP:20260605T191636
CREATED:20250524T160923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T144442Z
UID:12079-1750464000-1750550399@westernpaleo.org
SUMMARY:Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument AND Florissant Fossil Quarry
DESCRIPTION:Visiting the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument \nAt 9:30 AM on Saturday\, June 21\, we will meet at the visitors center (about an hour west of Colorado Springs off Highway 24). Entrance to the Visitors Center costs $10 unless you have a current and valid annual National Parks Pass or an America the Beautiful (or senior) lifetime pass. You must use a pay card or cell phone to purchase the entrance pass. Cash or checks are not accepted. Children under the age of 16 are free and do not require a pass. Given the lead time to receive an online pass\, it is recommended that you acquire your pass the day of this visit. \nA ranger-led tour will begin at 10:00 AM\, so be sure to arrive on time! \nPlease go to the Florissant Fossil Beds website for more information and to assure a good experience. \nWear appropriate clothing and bring food/water. Bring a picnic lunch to eat on site. There are picnic tables available. Dress and prepare for changeable weather conditions.  Closed toe hiking shoes are recommended. \nWe will visit the displays and hike one of the trails during the morning to see remains of ancient redwood trees\, and locally discovered insect\, fish\, and water plants. Fossil collecting is prohibited. \nAfter lunch we will go up the road to a privately owned site\, Florissant Fossil Quarry\, and extract some fossils from chunks of shale. The cost is $15 cash per person per hour IF there are are at least 15 people. You will be provided with pieces of shale to carefully split and study. \nThey do provide some tools\, but if you have some\, feel free to label and bring them. These Eocene fossils are about 34 million years old. You may keep the plant and insect specimens you discover. \nOn the same day\, the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (csastro.org) will be conducting two activities at the park that might be of interest as well. One in the morning and the other at night. The morning event will offer a solar observation set-up. And the 9 p.m. event will be at a ranch nearby. See their website for details.
URL:https://westernpaleo.org/event/florissant-fossil-beds/
LOCATION:Florissant Fossil Beds\, P.O. Box 185\, Florissant\, CO\, 80816\, United States
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westernpaleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fly.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Catherine Carr - Leader":MAILTO:ogon@mac.com
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR