Boulder, Utah
(435) 691-1241
(307) 733-4261
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Boulder, Utah |
Jackson Hole, Wyoming | |||
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(435) 691-1241 |
(307) 733-4261 |
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About Earth Tours | Guides | Learn a little something along the way |  |
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TOURS Southern
Utah |
Fossil Fishing Near Fossil Butte National
Monument, west of Kemmerer "The shores of the lake were blanketed by a lush green canopy of palm, cinnamon, maple, oak and other familiar trees. Rushes and other aquatic plants lined the lakeshore… Crocodiles and turtles basked in the sun on the beach. Insects… flew about in the warm air… The waters of the lakes teemed with many types of fish… As the fish died, they sank to the bottom of the lake, and were preserved in the lake sediments." - Paul McGrew & Michael Casilliano, paleontologists, 1975  Did you know that only 50 million years ago, lakes teeming with fish
covered much of western Wyoming? Their fossilized remains are perfectly
preserved between paper-thin rock layers, rather like pressed flowers
between the pages of a book. Nothing matches the excitement of splitting
apart these rock layers to discover perfect ancient fish skeletons. One of
the best places to fish for fossils is the Ulrich Fossil Quarry, near the
entrance to Fossil Butte National Monument. Expert fossil fishing guides
will teach you how to catch fossil fish and help you carefully pack up
your prized specimens. Although you will be allowed to keep all the
"legal" fossil fish species that you are most apt to find,
unusual fossils such as stingrays and bats must be given to the University
of Wyoming museum. The Ulrich family was instrumental in creating Fossil
Butte National Monument and has been quarrying fossil fish for three
generations. Our 2-˝ hour scenic drive through the Snake River Canyon and
Star Valley takes us across Wyoming's Overthrust Belt mountains and the
return trip has wonderful views of Wind River Range and Hoback River
Canyon. Digging for fossil fish can be hot and dirty, so wear comfortable
field clothes that can get dirty. |
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