Walking In Your Footsteps EarthCache EarthCache
Walking In Your Footsteps EarthCache
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When the City of Golden began developing Fossil Trace Golf Club, it came across some very special items fossilized in the clay ground on the property. From the moment of discovery on, the City of Golden has worked with the state, Colorado University Dinosaur Trackers Research Group, Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, and many others to preserve the unique fossils on the golf course site.
Working together to preserve dinosaur, palm and raindrop fossils, the various stakeholders together created an interpretive trail that would be accessible to the public on a continuous basis. (Henderson, May 20, 2004) The result of these efforts is the Triceratops Trail; this EarthCache will take you to the interpretive signs and evidence along the trail.
You will learn about trace fossils of the Late Cretaceous. As the one-half mile trail winds through a cross-section of old clay quarries, cachers will discover evidence of life, from dinosaur and bird tracks to impressions of palm fronds 70 million years old. Interpretive signs by Dinosaur Ridge explain the geology and life present when the Laramie Formation was deposited near an ancient shoreline.
The signs will assist you in interpreting the evidence (footprints, traces, and impressions) left by the dinosaurs, birds, mammals, insects, and plants from this very different, very swampy, habitat. At the Geologic Overlook you can view an interpretation of how the landscape of this area has evolved - from the Age of Dinosaurs (Mesozoic Era) to the present day Front Range you see before you.
All of the fossils that you can see at this site are called "trace fossils". Trace fossils are footprints, impressions and natural casts, not "body fossils" such as bones, teeth, and claws. Trace fossils left by living organisms are very useful in reconstructing the prehistoric world in which these plants and animals lived.
Triceratops Trail is a protected area designed for your enjoyment and education. Rocks, fossils, plants, artifacts, and other resources are protected by law and should not be damaged or removed. Please keep Triceratops Trail beautiful for our enjoyment today and for the future generations that will visit here tomorrow. Be aware of the wild animals that live on and around the trail - keep your distance and do not disturb them. For your own safety, please do not stray onto the golf course. Also, please do not climb on the rock walls or remove materials. (www.dinoridge.org)
Parking is available at N 39 44.677 W 105 13.368. There will be signs saying “Triceratops Trail”- For your own safety, please be sure to park here.
To claim this EarthCache:
1. Visit Waypoint #1 N 39 44.589 W105 13.280- Please research and answer the question, what kind of fossils will I see here?
2. Visit Waypoint #2 N39 44.569 W105 13.212- Please name two of the types of dinosaurs footprints you can see here.
3. Visit Waypoint #3 N39 44.582 W105 13.166- What kind of footprints are here?
4. Visit another informational sign and take your picture at the site .
Please email your answers to me and if you care to, please post your picture when you log your cache.
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