Tag: Dinosaur National Monument

Green River, Dinosaur National Monument, Jensen, Utah

If we had more time at Dinosaur National Monument I would’ve loved to raft the Green River through the area. As a river guide in college, Mountain Dad introduced me to the world of inflatable kayaks and rafts, and although river trips still scare me, they can be a lot of fun.
We’ve run the upper section of the Green River near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in the past, where the water is fairly mild and the sheer rock cliffs on either side of the river make for some beautiful scenery. On this trip to Dinosaur National Monument, however, we had to make due with a picnic at Green River Campground and splashing in the water at Split Mountain Boat Ramp.
It was the perfect end to our Dinosaur National Monument adventure, because who doesn’t like to get their feet wet after a hot day the sun? The 2 mile one way River Trail also begins here, a lovely trail along the Green. For more info on rafting and hiking in Dinosaur National Monument click here.

Dinosaur National Monument, Fossil Discovery Trail, Utah Colorado Border

After viewing more than 1500 fossils at Dinosaur National Monument’s Quarry Exhibit Hall, the ranger suggested we take the tots on the Fossil Discovery Trail, a quick 1.2 mile walk from the Exhibit Hall to the Visitors Center. Since I thought the Quarry Exhibit Hall was so utterly amazing, I was especially interested in seeing what fossils would’ve looked like to the first paleontologists who searched this area. The Fossil Discovery Trail did just that.

The Fossil Discovery Trail offers a quick peak at fossilized remains of dinosaurs and clams still on the rock face. A trail brochure points out exactly where to look, as well as the arrows painted on the rock, but here little g found a fossilized leg bone of a sauropod dinosaur all on her own.

The hike had some steep sections that were tough for little feet, but it was easy to shorten the hike by choosing to just explore one of the three offshoot trails. Each of the spurs shows different kinds of fossils, but the dinosaur bones were the most interesting for us so we only went on that trail section.

The Fossil Discovery Trail would’ve been a perfect hour long hike, if my tots would’ve cooperated. Since little g is at the point where she wants to walk on her own but isn’t quite able to go the whole way without help, I ended up carrying her for most of the way. 
Since his sister got to be carried, Big E wanted a shoulder ride too. When I just couldn’t take little g’s weight anymore, I tried bribing, coercing, enticing and playing to get her to keep walking. She just stopped to look at wildflowers. Finally when the visitor’s center was in sight my potty training toddler looked at me with a smile and said “I POOPED!” Why not wait five more minutes girl?

Overall the Fossil Discovery Trail at Dinosaur National Monument was a great hike, but next time I’ll be glad my kids are older.
FOSSIL DISCOVERY TRAIL INFO:
Trailhead: Start at the Quarry Exhibit Hall parking lot to hike downhill to the Visitors Center, or start at the Visitors Center and hike up. 
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.2 miles, 1 hour
Tips: Bring water and wear a hat and sunscreen. There is no shade. Also pick up a trail brochure for clues on where to see the fossils.

Dinosaur National Monument, north of Jensen, Utah, border of Utah and Colorado

Last week I experienced something truly amazing – Dinosaur National Monument on the border of Colorado and Utah. The crowning attraction of Dinosaur National Monument is the world famous Quarry Exhibit Hall, a rock wall with more than 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in stone.

I do not exaggerate when I say this should be one of the wonders of the world. Almost everyone has seen dinosaur skeletons in museums, but to see so many fossils still embedded in stone, the dinosaur remains in their final resting place – it was amazing.

This unique treasure was discovered in 1909 by Earl Douglass, a paleontologist who found a dinosaur spine literally sticking out of the mountain. Good thing he knew where to look.This area has many layers of fossilized remains due to its unique position as an ancient river delta. Dinosaur remains of stegosaurus, camarasaurus and diplodocus washed down river and congregated in one location, which later fossilized preserving the amazing wall of bone we have today.

Amazingly, since the skeletons of these dinosaurs are fairly common, and since nothing quite like this fossil wall exists elsewhere in the world, this tableau of history has been preserved as is for people to explore. The Quarry Exhibit Hall blew my mind, and the photos just don’t do it justice.

If you ever have a chance to visit Dinosaur National Monument, DO IT!

INFO:

Difficulty: Easy. A five minute shuttle ride from the visitors center transports guests to the recently renovated Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Time: 1 – 3 hours
Open hours: Summer 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Although Dinosaur National Monument is open year round, reduced staffing affects the Quarry Exhibit Hall schedule. Click here for more details.
Tips: Although the Visitors Center and Quarry Exhibit Hall are air conditioned, I would still avoid visiting here in the heat of summer. It’s a desert after all.