Rockin' Wyoming

Diplomystus  Fish are among the most prized fossils, and you’ll collect a bunch of them on our trip to Wyoming’s Green River basin! The 48 million year old fossils are collected in quarries, where the hard work of stripping overburden has been done for us. Our first stop in Wyoming will be at Fossil Butte National Monument, where you’ll see all the amazing fossils the area has to offer. Then we’ll dig for one day in a public quarry, where you will learn professional collecting techniques. Our second day will be in a private quarry, not open to the public. You can reasonably expect to collect a dozen to a hundred fish of different species, depending on luck and how diligently you hammer.  Click here for our Wyoming photo album.

As on all our Rockin’ trips, we’ll collect at a different locality each day as we drive across the spectacular scenery of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. We’ll find ammonites, petrified wood, and thundereggs at public and private localities along our route, then have two full days in the Kemmerer fossil quarries.  Last year, every person on the trip, including a 9 year old, found at least 100 fish!

DATES: Next trip, late June 2013.

Accommodations are in mid-range motels, mostly Best Westerns. You can stay with the group, or choose another motel or camp nearby. Each evening Bob will present an evening program (you are welcome to attend whether you stay with the group or not).

Because of the distance traveled, the trip can be started in several places.

  • Day one, departs Seattle, ends in Pendleton, OR.
  • Day two, Pendleton to Twin Falls, ID.
  • Day three, Twin Falls to Kemmerer, WY.
  • Day four and five we’ll drive about 20 miles to the quarries near Kemmerer.

PRICES:

  • 5 day trip (Seattle to Kemmerer): $490/adult, $390/child
  • 4 day trip (Pendleton to Kemmerer): $390/adult, $290/child
  • 2 day trip (meet us north of Salt Lake City or in Kemmerer): $300/adult, $200/child

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Guide(s), instruction, programs, access to private localities, tools. Book your own lodging. We have reserved 10 rooms at each motel, at a discounted price. Just tell the reservation person that you are with Geology Adventures to receive our discount.

Minimum recommended age: 7 years, due to attention span. We've met 5 year olds who would love this trip, but parents are cautioned that kids will not be permitted to randomly hammer rocks (ie: destroy fossils) in the quarries. The fossil collecting tools we supply (mason’s hammers, chisels, and spreaders) are sharp; definitely not toys. We can provide 2 lb. sledge hammers and less sharp chisels for kids, just let us know when you book.

WHAT TO BRING:

  • Road food: at least snacks & lunches, as the collecting localities are away from civilization. The rural towns in which we stay have a normal assortment of restaurants, fast food, and grocery stores.
  • Safety glasses: we have one-size-fits-all goggles, but you’ll be far more comfortable in a pair of your own. Kids are required to wear safety goggles/glasses if they use our tools. We recommend eye protection for adults.
  • Vehicle in good repair: most of our drive will be on pavement, but we will drive about 20 miles on gravel or dirt roads each day. You will not need 4WD.
  • Water bottles, sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen, daypack, at least one sturdy box or Rubbermaid tub and newspaper for your fish fossils, plus buckets or boxes to keep your other rocks from rolling around your vehicle.
  • Layered clothing. Wyoming is high desert. June is usually very comfortable, but can be quite hot or cold. Daytime tems can range from 30's to 80's ... usually 60 to 70.
  • Sturdy shoes. Running shoes are ok, but you’re feet will thank you for putting something heavier between them and sharp rocks.
  • Work gloves.

MOTELS:

  • Best Western, Pendleton, OR. June 25 (541) 276-2135
  • Best Western, Twin Falls, ID. June 26 (800) 780-7234
  • Best Western Fossil Inn, Kemmerer, Wy. June 27 & 28 (307) 877-3388

The fine print:

99% of the fish in these quarries are common species: Knightea, Priscacara, Diplomystus, Phareodus, Mioplosus, Amphiplaga, etc. You’ll find beautiful and scientifically interesting specimens, which we’ll teach you how to identify and prepare. If you (or us guides) find something rare, it belongs to the quarry owner. They MAY be willing to sell it to you once it has been professionally prepared. The quarry owners are under obligation to the state of Wyoming, from whom they lease their land, to preserve for science any exceptionally rare species. Rare species which you would not likely be able to keep (unless you write a large check!) are turtles, birds, mammals, sting rays, and crustaceans. Good info on what you’re likely to find is: here.
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