Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway - Moab, Utah
Posted by: 94RedRover
N 38° 31.961 W 109° 36.531
12S E 621253 N 4265837
The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway ends in Moab, Utah.
Waymark Code: WM6HVA
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 06/07/2009
Views: 14
165 million years ago, the Moab area was the shallow tidal lands of an inland lake. This attracted many forms of fauna...including dinosaurs, whose tracks are captured in the petrified sands of the area.
One phenomenal set of prints are found on Potash Road in Moab. The sign at the entrance of the Poison Spider Mesa off road trail suggests an easyway to view the tracks. There is a viewing pipe along Potash Road. The tracks on the lab have been slightly dyed to show it's shape when viewing through the pipe.
But, for a much better view, and interesting surprise, there is a crude trail up to the slab. The slab is on the cliffside not far above the lot. Park at the Poison Spider Mesa Trail lot, and follow the trail past the pit toilet.
This slab of rock, which has held these tracks fell, and split open to reveal the imprints. From the shape, and from viewing similar tracks not far from here on Willow Springs Road, I believe these are Therapod tracks which were were human-sized dinosaurs that walked upright and inhabited the Moab are during the Jurassic Period, some 165 million years ago. At that time, Moab was part of a shallow tidal lands of an inland lake.
Want a surprise? Take a look at the other half of the slab when it broke open. The relief print that filled in the print those millions of years are also clearly visible.
Program: America's Byways
Website: [Web Link]
Official Name: Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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