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May 30th – 31st Two-Day Traildust Theropod Experience
May 30, 2024 @ 8:00 am – May 31, 2024 @ 3:30 pm
Meet at: Dinosaur Journey Museum, Fruita at 8:00 AM
Minimum Age: 8 (guests ages 16 or under must be accompanied by a paying adult
Description: This expedition is for those who like a challenge. Fossil bones of the theropod Allosaurus are plentiful at the site, but they are embedded in a hard sandstone. We will be breaking out the hammers and chisels to excavate these bones from a top predator of the Jurassic.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. Work requires moving equipment, using hammers and chisels on hard sandstone, moving rock and dirt in excavation and quarry cover daily, and prolonged sitting with repetitive work on small objects. Quarry site is located about ¼ mile from parking area atop a ridge – equipment, tools, water, etc. must be carried in and out in packs and on foot daily. Excavated fossils must be packed out by crews on foot. There are steep ledges at the quarry, please follow crew instructions for a safe and exciting dig experience. We will have water to refill bottles, but this will be located at the parking area, not in the quarry.
What to Bring: Expeditioners should dress for working outdoors in summer: bring a wide-brimmed hat, sturdy closed-toed shoes or hiking boots, sunscreen, a camera, one or two water bottles (32 oz. recommended), and bug spray. Long pants are recommended, but not required.
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Traildust Theropod Quarry dinosaur dig
8:00 AM – Orientation at Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, CO
8:30 AM – Depart Dinosaur Journey.
8:45 AM – Arrive at FPA & hike to quarry for excavations
Noon – Lunch at the quarry
1:00 PM – excavations
2:30 PM – Close quarry and return to Dinosaur Journey
3:00 PM – Tour Paleo Lab at Dinosaur Journey
Day 2: Traildust Theropod Quarry dinosaur dig
8:00 AM – Meet at Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, CO
8:15 AM – Depart Dinosaur Journey.
8:30 AM – Arrive at FPA & hike to quarry for excavations
Noon – Lunch at the quarry
1:00 PM – excavations
2:30 PM – Close quarry and return to Dinosaur Journey
3:30 PM – Tour Collections at Dinosaur Journey