Category: Hike

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.

 

 

 

 

Baby Animal Season at This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, Utah

I love springtime, especially as a mom. Not only does warm weather return, but flowers, gardens, and new baby animals offer countless opportunities to experience the outdoors with my tots.
During spring break I convinced my mom to have a grandma day at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City. I had never been there before but had heard that every year they have baby animals come to visit and I wanted to see some cute chicks. So my tots joined their cousins on a fun filled day in the past.


In addition to baby chickens, goats, pigs, donkeys and cattle we watched a rope maker pull rope, pounded prints into leather, learned about trapping and tanning animal skins, panned gold, rode on ponies, splashed in a fountain and took a train ride. I had no idea there was so much to do here!

This is the Place Heritage Park is an outdoor museum with buildings from the 1800s and people dressed in period garb. The location boasts a monument marking Brigham Young’s arrival in the Salt Lake Valley leading Mormon Pioneers in 1847. Reconstructed log cabins, homes, a farm, leather works, and the old Deseret Hospital are available for exploring at this State Park.

Of course my tots enjoyed the baby animals, but they also really liked riding the train and panning for gold. I enjoyed the fluffy chicks as well, but mostly I liked watching my kids’ reactions to them. Spring is the time for all things young and cute, including Big E and little g.

Information:
Park Hours
9:00 – 5:00 Monday – Saturday
10:00 – 5:00 Sunday
Visitor Center Hours
9:00-6:00 Sunday – Saturday
Admission
$11 adults, $8 kids and seniors, Free 2 years and younger Monday-Saturday
$5 adults, $3 kids and seniors, Free 2 years and younger Sunday

For more information click here for the This is the Place Heritage Park website.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah

Last year I read Terry Tempest William’s memoir Refuge. It’s a beautifully written book about birds, loss, and cancer that takes place for the most part at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, just a short drive north of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a long time resident of the state, you would’ve thought I’d have visited the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge before now, but I hadn’t.

Our first stop on this adventure was at the visitors center, where little g and Big E explored the varied exhibits on bird habitat. Little g would not let go of my hand as she ran from one exhibit to the next and during the 25 minute introductory movie, she vacillated between climbing on the bench in front of us and pulling me out of the viewing area.

After the museum, we drove out to the 76,000 acres of protected land and drove the 12 mile one way gravel auto tour (open year round from sunrise to sunset). The refuge is an oasis for migratory birds that provides a source of food and shelter for millions of migratory birds each year. Even though our visit was in February (not a common time to go out bird watching) I was amazed by the musical sounds that resonated through the entire area. We saw geese, swans, seagulls and other water birds, and a beautiful sunset lit up the entire area.

My favorite part of the day was listening to the bird calls along the 12 mile auto tour. The honks, coos, chirps and whistles created a beautiful symphony of wild sounds and although we didn’t see any bald eagles (I was hoping) the trip was still fun and worthwhile. Next time I’ll bring along binoculars.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Location: From I-15 Turn west off of exit 363 at Brigham City, Utah. Visitors Center is the first turn on the left.
Length: 12 mile auto tour
Time: 1-4 hours
Tips: Stop at the visitors center first and bring binoculars.