INTRO:
Important because of its sampling of fantastically intact fossils from the Eocene epoch, the Green River Formation in western Colorado, eastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming showcases the petrified remnants of a large lake system. Of exceptional interest for amateur as well as professional paleontologists, the Green River area has offered up a diversity of findings that have contributed significantly to a much greater understanding of the subtropical environment that existed there from 40-60 millions years ago.
FOSSILS:
Known mostly for fish fossils - most of the fossilization occurred at the bottom of the lakes - over 60 vertebrate animals, including a variety of reptiles, birds and mammals, have also been found at the Green River Formation. The preservation has been so good that even rare soft parts of various insects and vegetation have been recovered in perfect condition. In fact, the oldest example of a flying mammal was famously found here -- a well-maintained bat with its skeleton, membranes, organs, cartilage and even dinner intact. With a bit of work, one can still find many museum-quality specimens at the former lake sites - Lake Gosiute, Lake Uinta, and especially Fossil Lake, the smallest and richest in terms of fossil hunting. Many millions of pieces have been collected from the area, though billions more remain unfound.
ACTIVITIES:
Unlike some other sites, collecting fossils as an amateur at the Green River Formation is largely allowed and relatively easy. There are several quarries in the Kemmerer, Wyoming area tour guides will take you to for a price, and usually even provide you with a hammer and chisel. The one-and-a-half mile Fossil Lake Trail in the Fossil Butte National Monument makes its way to Fossil Lake. A trip on the two-and-a-half mile Historic Quarry Trail is also interesting, though in the Monument the fossils must be left in place. If you don't have energy for a hike, there are plenty of gift and art shops featuring many high-quality fossils from the area, and the Fossil Country Museum in Kemmerer is a worth a visit. And in the park, there are weekend guided tours of active research quarry, and daily paleontology and geology programs including fossil preparation demonstrations.
LODGING AND RESTAURANTS:
There are several marked campsites along the Green River, and if you are visiting the Fossil Butte National Monument, the town of Kemmerer, located about 10 miles east of the park, has lodging, a campground and restaurants. The Fossil Butte Motel is a pleasant place right in the city, while Bootleggers and Taco Time are popular restaurants in the city.
PLAN YOUR VISIT:
The free Fossil Butte National Monument is open all year, except winter holidays. Hours in the summer are 8:00am to 7:00pm. In the winter, they are open from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Pets are allowed on trails, but must be under on a leash at all times. Outside of the park, check with the different quarries and fossil viewing areas to find out about costs and hours.
WHEN TO VISIT:
November through March is generally brutally cold in the area, and even spring and autumn can be cold. Light frosts are even common on summer nights, so take stock of your constitution before visiting.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Who discovered the Green River Formation? The first collected fossil fish was found by Dr. John Evans in 1856, and early in the 20th Century Wilmot Bradley became the preeminent student of the area. There are fossil examples from the area at many museums and universities around the country. The Fossil Butte National Monument was established in 1972.
Where can I get more information and facts about the Green River Formation? To find out about the Fossil Butte National Monument, check out the U.S. government site
(http://www.nps.gov/fobu/expanded/index.htm).
