Petroglyph Rock - Dinosaur National Monument
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Petroglyph Rock - Dinosaur National Monument
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
At the base of the Anticline Valley along the Fossil Discovery Trail is a sizable rock adorned with petroglyphs and pictographs. This trail is in the Quarry area of Dinosaur National Monument, located in Jensen, Utah.
Renowned as the premier hike within the monument, this trail spans 1.2 miles one-way and guides hikers through geological formations that chronicle 80 million years of Earth's history. Along this path, you'll traverse six different geological layers, effectively walking through millions of years of time. The trail cuts through various tilted rock strata and features three fossil areas branching off the main route. One notable stop is at the Morrison Formation, where you can observe an outcropping with numerous small fossil fragments and some larger dinosaur bone pieces in their natural state—just as Earl Douglass discovered them back in 1909. The hike starts at the Quarry Visitor’s Center and ends at Douglass Dinosaur Quarry, where a tram runs between the two locations, making it easy to do a one-way hike.
Dinosaur National Monument, a lesser-known gem among National Parks, is nestled on the southeastern edge of the Uinta Mountains where the Green and Yampa Rivers meet. Straddling the border between Colorado and Utah, it was established in 1915 to safeguard the park's most frequented attraction, the Dinosaur Quarry. Today, after it was enlarged in 1938 to encompass the area's rich natural history, much of the park lies in Colorado. The park is celebrated for its rugged terrain, diverse topography, geological features, paleontological treasures, and rich historical significance, offering a distinctive blend of scientific and recreational opportunities.
Copyright 2024 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
August 24th, 2024
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