Fossil Locations

[Top Trilo]

I live in Aurora Colorado and was looking for places to go fossil hunting, I’ve already been to Florissant and while it was a great place I also want to look for other locations. I want it to be a 4 hour or less drive which I know really limits the are but I want it to be a day trip not a weekend trip. Dinosaur Colorado and Douglas pass are all far away and I don’t think you can fossil hunt anywhere near dinosaur ridge. I’d be willing to go out of state but only if it’s within 4 hours so like south east Wyoming, south west Nebraska and west Kansas.

[JohnJ]

What kind of research have you pursued thus far?  

 

No matter where you live, lesser known places are typically found perusing old paleontology papers and correlating detailed satellite imagery with geologic maps.  Hit the road, and before long you will have several new spots to hunt. 

[Top Trilo]

19 minutes ago, JohnJ said:

What kind of research have you pursued thus far?

Ive been searching things like dig your own fossil sites in Colorado or public fossil hunting sites and haven't found much.

[FossilNerd]

2 hours ago, Top Trilo said:

Ive been searching things like dig your own fossil sites in Colorado or public fossil hunting sites and haven't found much.

I believe John was talking about checking older scientific literature (that sometimes make mention of site locations), followed by checking to see if those sites still exist using more recent technology (internet is your friend) and geological maps. 

 

It's often said, when speaking of fossil sites, that you get out what you put in. It's hard for us who may have spent hours researching, followed by hours of reconnaissance work, to just hand over the hard won goods.  

 

Besides... The research is half the fun of the hunt! (for me at least).  

[Ludwigia]

You could also check around your area for a rockhounding group which you could join.

[Top Trilo]

5 hours ago, Ludwigia said:

You could also check around your area for a rockhounding group which you could join.

 

11 hours ago, FossilNerd said:

I believe John was talking about checking older scientific literature (that sometimes make mention of site locations), followed by checking to see if those sites still exist using more recent technology (internet is your friend) and geological maps. 

 

It's often said, when speaking of fossil sites, that you get out what you put in. It's hard for us who may have spent hours researching, followed by hours of reconnaissance work, to just hand over the hard won goods.  

 

Besides... The research is half the fun of the hunt! (for me at least).

Thank you all great ideas.

[jpc]

Have you looked into joining WIPS?  They are based out of the DMNS.  A great group that links amateurs with academics and is very active.  

 

westernpaleo.org, I think is their website.  

 

There are not many pay do dig or otherwise public sites in the west, short of the ones you mentioned (Florissant, Green River Fm in SW Wyoming, Douglas Pass area),  but there are fossils all over the place.  Finding out where is the easy part.  getting landowner permission (a must) is the tougher part.  

 

 

[Jackson g]

Baculite Mesa of the Pierre Shale isn't too far from Aurora, CO. I went last time I visited Loveland. Like @jpc mentions, you'll need permission from the land owner to fossil hunt there. If you drive up to the site, there is a phone number you can call and ask for permission. Good chance you could and would get shot if you trespass though.

[jpc]

2 minutes ago, Jackson g said:

Baculite Mesa of the Pierre Shale isn't too far from Aurora, CO. I went last time I visited Loveland. Like @jpc mentions, you'll need permission from the land owner to fossil hunt there. If you drive up to the site, there is a phone number you can call and ask for permission. Good chance you could and would get shot if you trespass though.

Yes, Baculite Mesa is one of the spots that WIPS does an annual field trip to.

 

[Top Trilo]

3 hours ago, jpc said:

Have you looked into joining WIPS?  They are based out of the DMNS.  A great group that links amateurs with academics and is very active.  

 

westernpaleo.org, I think is their website. 

 

3 hours ago, Jackson g said:

Baculite Mesa of the Pierre Shale isn't too far from Aurora, CO. I went last time I visited Loveland. Like @jpc mentions, you'll need permission from the land owner to fossil hunt there. If you drive up to the site, there is a phone number you can call and ask for permission. Good chance you could and would get shot if you trespass though.

Thank you I will definitely look into these

[jpc]

16 hours ago, Top Trilo said:

 

Thank you I will definitely look into these

Of course, field trip season is ending for WIPS, and their meetings are all on Zoom nowadays.