|
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
INTRO:
Idaho's Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is well known because it offers one of the best concentrations of fossils from a time period known as the Pliocene Epoch, and it includes more Hagerman Horse fossils than anywhere else in North America. Located in the central Snake River Plain region of the eastern portion of the Columbia Plateau, the fossils found there are also significant because they signify the most recent evidence of many plants and animals lost by the Ice Age, including the native camel, the sabertooth cat, the mastodon and the eponymous horse.
FOSSILS:
Relatively young by fossil standards, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument's fossils are from three to four million years ago, mostly deposited during the Glenns Ferry Formation. But, while they may not be as old as some, there is a well-preserved and diverse fossil record. Over 200 species of plants and animals, including over 100 mammals, have been recovered at 600 different locations. The Hagerman Horse, which is actually more like a modern-day zebra, is of course one of the most prominent fossils found. In the Monument's 'Horse Quarry,' five nearly complete skeletons, more than 100 skulls and 48 lower jaws, as well as a mass of various bones, were recovered in the early 1930s. Scientists still pull three to five thousand fossils from the park per year, but visitors are not permitted to take anything. It has also been found that some of the fossils and minerals have a slight, naturally occurring radioactivity.
ACTIVITIES:
There are five trails and a driving tour for the public to explore the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The Rim Trail showcases the Hagerman Valley and jagged canyons of the Monument and then connects to the River Trail which explored the lowlands. The Rim to River Trail is the most interesting for amateur paleontologists as it provides a close up view of layers of sediments deposited by floods near the ancient Lake Idaho more than three million years ago. The animals that became fossils were caught in those floods and thus the 'Horse Quarry' can be viewed on the northern ridge. The auto tour is 10.5-miles long and starts at the Hagerman Fossil Beds Visitors Center. The excursion includes points of interest both current and historical, as well as the Snake River and Oregon Trail Overlooks.
LODGING AND RESTAURANTS:
The Hagerman Valley Inn is a small but nice hotel in the town of Hagerman, and the Billingsley Creek Lodge has some cabins and rooms. There are many chain hotels and restaurants in Twin Falls about 40 minutes away from the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The Snake River Grill is the pick of the local restaurants.
PLAN YOUR VISIT:
In the summer, the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is open from 9:00am to 5:00 Sunday through Thursday, while on Friday and Saturday they stay open three hours later. In the winter, they are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, but open 9:00am to 5:00pm the rest of the week. There is no entrance fee, and pets must be kept on a leash.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Where can I get more information and facts about Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument? To find out about the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, visit the National Park Service site (http://www.nps.gov/hafo/index.htm).
|
