Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison
Posted by: 
Outspoken1
N 39° 40.859 W 105° 11.538
13S E 483509 N 4392368
Quick Description: Dinosaur Ridge is part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark. <B>Per State Law NOTHING can be removed from this site.</B>
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 9/7/2007 5:27:19 PM
Waymark Code: WM25CA
Views: 142
Long Description:
"The Dinosaur Ridge area is one of the world's most famous
dinosaur fossil localities. Here, in 1877, some of the best-known
dinosaurs were first discovered. These include Apatosaurus, better
known as Brontosaurus; Diplodocus; Stegosaurus, the Colorado State
Fossil; and Allosaurus. These animals represented life 145 million
years ago in the Late Jurassic Epoch, also known as the "Age of
Brontosaurs."
These discoveries sparked off a historic dinosaur "gold rush"
that traced the bone-bearing strata, known as the Morrison
Formation, across a large part of the Rocky Mountain region. This
"Golden Age" of 19th century dinosaur exploration led to the
discovery of many other important sites. The dozens of successful
excavations at Dinosaur Ridge and these other locations stocked
many of the world's museums and brought dinosaurs to public
attention.
In the 1930s, during the construction of West Alameda Parkway,
dinosaur tracks were discovered on the east side of Dinosaur Ridge
in the 100-million year-old rocks of the Dakota Group, representing
the Cretaceous Period. The tracks are those of Iguanodon-like
plant-eating - or herbivorous - dinosaurs and ostrich-sized
meat-eating - or carnivorous - dinosaurs. Recent research has
revealed that these tracks represent only a small part of the
extensive track-bearing beds that can be traced along the Colorado
Front Range. Because this strata represents the shoreline sediments
of an ancient seaway that was frequently trampled by dinosaurs,
these beds have been called the "Dinosaur Freeway."
The occurrence of the historic excavation sites in proximity to
the Dinosaur Freeway represents a unique combination of
paleontologic resources on Dinosaur Ridge. The Ridge is also where
the Rocky Mountains meet the High Plains. This area has been used
by several generations of earth science and life science teachers
as an outdoor geology and ecology laboratory for students of all
ages.
In 1973, the area was recognized for its uniqueness as well as
its historical and scientific significance when it, and one of the
historic dinosaur bone quarries near the nearby town of Morrison,
CO, was designated the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural
Landmark by the National Park Service.
The 1980s were the 20th century's "Golden Age" of dinosaur
exploration. Significant progress was made in researching and
managing Colorado's dinosaur resources. In 1989, the Friends of
Dinosaur Ridge formed to address increasing concerns regarding the
preservation of the site and to offer educational programming on
the area's resources. Today, Dinosaur Ridge is a destination for
over 70,000 dinosaur enthusiasts, students of all ages, and nature
aficionados each year." (copied from Dinosaur Ridge website)
The Dinosaur Visitor Center is at 16831 W Alameda Pkwy. Hours
for May-October are Mon-Sat 9-5; Sun 11-5; November-April are
Mon-Sat 9-4; Sun 11-4. There is no charge to visit this landmark
and there is a very complete self-guided tour. During the summer
there may be rattlesnakes in the area. Guided tours may be arranged
by calling 303-697-3466. Fossils are a non-renewable resource
that we protect for future generations. State and Federal laws
prohibit collecting any fossils or rocks on Dinosaur Ridge.