Thursday, January 17, 2008

Fossils! 

Today we located an Ordivician-age rock outcropping, with some help of the USGS site and my GPS unit. The outcropping is a bioherm, a mound made entirely of marine invertebrate fossils.

A long drive down another washboard dirt road led us to the base of the mountain. We hiked up the steep slope, toward the band of fossil-bearing limestone dated to around 450 million years. At last we reached it, and saw many cool fossils, including crinoids, bryozoans and some gastropods. We didn't take any with us, leaving them there for others to enjoy.

The top of the peak commanded a stunning view of the desert valleys below, with all shades of light and shadows, hills of deep red and green, gray and tan.
A gorgeous cold, windy and gray day made the climb to the top an exhilarating one.

posted 10:26 PM

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