Wyoming Fossil Lake Trip

[Twinlukers]

Well what a quick dig. We started our trip to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore with a couple of stops and our Search for fossils as we searched for two dig sites on our way. 

Our first stop was U-dig Fossils in Utah. Here we were suppose to hunt for trilobites but after to talking to a couple of people leaving the site they were very disappointed and found only a couple in their 2 hours. So because I had another site to check out we passed on digging there. Plus at 80.00 per person per day it didn’t not fit our plans. 

So our next stop ended up at the Fossil Safari in Wyoming where we were much happier and we all thought is was well worth it. It took us an extra hour to find the place because google maps put us on a goat trail that we had to turnaround on because we had an luggage rack attachment that had a low clearance. If it was not for a Park Ranger that was on the trail we would of found ourselves in trouble. But she was great redirecting us around the track we were on.

 

So when we got to dig site we were surprised to see that their was only one other digger at the site. For me I just wanted to explore around the area and then start digging and the others just wanted to watch. But after I started digging and finding some fish fossils everyone wanted to dig. 

After talking to the manager of the site he explained that they found a prehistoric Horse on the ridge and he had two others digging. He allowed me to go and check it out but no photos as the site is privately funded and because I was a fellow hunter that I would enjoy it. 

Here are a couple pictures of us digging. Or should I say me!!!

 

[Twinlukers]

Here are some of our finds.

As you can see I brushed off layer after layer and the area I selected was prime and I could smell the oil leaching out of the limestone. I tried to keep the pieces pretty big and the thickness allowed for several splits. Oscar my son-in law was just grabbing the pieces I got out and going to town on splitting them.  My fun was exploring the layers and looking for darker lines to indicate more fish. 

[Twinlukers]

And more pictures of our take home

They has table saws for us to use to trim some of our finds which was nice. So I cut and trimmed Oscar and Priscilla’s finds. They took home some treasures and I could tell they had fun exploring. It’s not everyday you find piece of history that dates back over 35-350 million years ago. 

[Twinlukers]

I brought back about 20 pieces but I have three really nice pieces I’m going to prep and display. The others I’ll just give away after I prep them. Because the section I was in was so damp and slit of oil deposits in the formation it was very hard to get a couple of whole specimens. But I was lucky. I got three really nice pieces.

To bad this one was in a fault crack. But I took it anyways as I can glue it together. It seemed the fault lines were very dominate in the area I was in but the fish were preserved nicely. The pictures don’t do it justice as you’ve got to be their to experience it. 

[Twinlukers]

Sorry but I’m having a tough time getting the photos smaller.

This one is my prize!! I have some prep work to do and it’s going to be a while as I need to repair my small grinder!! But I have my drummel and picks to do the job.

[Twinlukers]

Last one!!! The editor is not working right. Sorry

[Tidgy's Dad]

Smashing finds! 

Lots of nice fishes, several species, very good day out, it would seem! 

[Fossildude19]

Nice report!

Thanks for posting it - looks like a good time had by all.   

[JarrodB]

Sounds like a fun trip. I want to do it one day. 

[Twinlukers]

32 minutes ago, JarrodB said:

Sounds like a fun trip. I want to do it one day. 

I can tell you very well worth it. Because we had our city slickers with us both Rosie and I had to cut our visit and hunt short. But I’m going back for sure. It’s just a full days drive (21 hours) lol

[ynot]

Looks like You did pretty good.

To bad You passed on the trilobites. The area is open outside of the pay to dig area. Free digging, but no backhoe.

Here is a trip report from My last visit. I was digging around 200 meters down ravine from U-dig.

 

Good luck on Your next visit.

[Twinlukers]

Here is one of our finds prepped and waiting to seal it as I’m crossed between a couple of methods.. any one the ratio for glue and water mix?

[Xiphactinus]

Nice fish!

[FossilDAWG]

Nice big Phareodus!

 

Don

[gwbh]

On 9/18/2018 at 10:12 PM, Twinlukers said:

Here is one of our finds prepped and waiting to seal it as I’m crossed between a couple of methods.. any one the ratio for glue and water mix?

I just sealed mine and had good results with a 20/80 glue water mix. I found an elmers clear glue and it worked well. I let them soak in the water glue mix till the air bubbles slowed considerably or stopped. There is no visible trace of the glue left over after they dried. Really sweet piece by the way! I did apply a thin coat of pva to the fish first to prevent the water glue mix from washing anything off. 

[Twinlukers]

Final presentation ready for display. I’m so happy but now I want to go get more!! I enjoy the prepping so much..