2019 Wild Wanderers - Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Admission
- $90.00 - FODR Member
- $110.00 - Non-member
Location
Description
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument on June 14, 2019
Sticking with our ancient lakes of the Eocene theme, Dinosaur Ridge will be heading south this time to visit Colorado's Eocene lakefront property at Florissant. Florissant may be most well known for its once towering forests that have been preserved but there was an entire ecosystem that thrived for millions of years in the area! Join National Park Service staff and leaders at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument for a special talk and video before being left to explore some of the trails around the area for yourself.
Don't miss out on redwood stumps the size of small houses and logs that would take the whole group to wrap around! We will leave Dinosaur Ridge at around 8:00am this morning and arrive at Florissant NM by 10:30am. Our knowledgeable guides will regale us with stories of a bygone era that still delights and enthralls visitors to this day. At 2:30 pm after sufficient exploration and education, we will swim on down to the shores of the Clare Family Quarry.
Located just outside the monument itself, the Clare Family Quarry has been a staple in the area for generations. Some of the most significant discoveries have come from this small outcrop of the ancient Florissant lakes. We will have 2 hours to split shale and find fossilized remains of leaves and insects. The remarkable preservation of this ecosystem is what makes this site one of the greatest deposits of fossils in the area! At 4:30 pm or so we will head on back to the Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center to end our day!
Helpful Materials:
- Camera
- Notebook / Pen
- Lunch, or money for lunch
- Sturdy hiking boots (closed toe)
- Sun Protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)
- An inquisitive mind
Ages:
- 18+ - Must complete waivers
- 14-17 - Must complete waivers and have a guardian signature
- Under 14 - Must be accompanied by a guardian.