L. Dinosaur
bones
I have been visiting Dinosaur Ridge sporadically for quite a few years; the first time was in the late 80's during a company sponsored geology fieldtrip. This was before it became an official landmark and all the nice signs went up telling you what you were looking at. About all that was protected at that time were the tracks which had a fence around them, but were almost impossible to see since they were not blackened in. .
A. Benton Shale
On first view, the ridge looks just like any other hogback along the Front Range and it basically is. The rocks are the same; generally Dakota sandstones forming the ridge with some less prominent Morrison Fm. along the side. What makes this one interesting are the fossils; footprints and bones of dinosaurs.
K. Brontosaur footstep
B. Dinosaur Tracks
The pictures are arranged roughly as you would see them as you walk around the ridge. The letters show you about where they are located. The visitor's center has a lot of neat items (replicas of tracks, teeth and claws of dinosaurs as well as books, pictures and models) and is worth checking out.
J. Down the west side of the ridge
B. More Dinosaur Tracks
I. Contact between Dakota and Morrison
C. Bedding Plane of the Dakota
H. More dipping beds
D. Ripple Marks
G. Dipping beds
F. Around the Curve
E. Ripple Marks
Geocache by CrebsJune 26, 2001