Hartsel & Buena Vista, Colorado
June 13 & 14
Join a group of fellow geology enthusiasts for a weekend trip to explore Colorado’s fascinating geology and the rich gem country of Chaffee County in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley!
The adventure starts when you board the bus at Dinosaur Ridge on Saturday morning, and we wind our way up to 8,000 ft in elevation, with interpretive geologic stops along the way. In Hartsel, that afternoon, after lunch (included), we will spend the afternoon rock-hounding for blue barite outside the Bayou Salado Trading Post in Hartsel.
Checking into our hotel in Buena Vista later that afternoon, we’ll have plenty of time for dinner on your own in lovely downtown Buena Vista. A full breakfast is available at the hotel on Sunday morning (included). We will start the day with a discussion of Colorado’s geological history and the formation of Colorado’s gems and minerals, which will orient us to the day ahead.
After checking out of the hotel, we will drive down the road to nearby Ruby Mountain (a National Monument) for exploration of the area to collect “Apache Tears” obsidian and deep red garnets, for which Ruby Mountain was named. We can compare our spoils afterwards, while we enjoy lunch at the Simple Eatery in Buena Vista.
Then, we finish off our adventure with a short exploration of the Heritage Museum in town (included) before heading back down the hill to Morrison, with an ETA ~ 5 – 5:30pm.
Trip limited to 12 participants.
DATE/TIME
June 13, 8am – June 14, 5:30pm
LOCATION, ACCOMMODATIONS, AND TRANSPORTATION
Depart from, and return to, the Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center in Morrison, CO. All transportation included in one of our air-conditioned, 15-passenger buses. Meeting point for trip departure and return:
Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center
16831 W. Alameda Parkway
Morrison, CO 80465
Hotel:
Super 8 Buena Vista
530 North Us Highway 24
Buena Vista, Colorado 81211
STUDY LEADERS
Rick Farrand will be the Geologist Lead on our trip. Rick has been a fossil enthusiast for a long time. He studied Geology at the University of Montana, and earned his Masters at the University of Texas, with a focus on Paleontology. Early in his career, he worked in oil and gas exploration, followed by over 30 years with an environmental consulting firm, in remediation. He’s been an avid long-time volunteer with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and now enjoys science education at Dinosaur Ridge, and the excitement of “reading the rocks” to interpret earth’s long and fascinating history.
Alyce Olson (Allosaurus Alyce) has been with Dinosaur Ridge for 7 years, and is the lead tour guide for the organization. She is a self-proclaimed science nerd, loves to learn and explore, and very much enjoys sharing that with others. Alyce is thrilled to be a part of Dinosaur Ridge’s “Wild Wanderer” field trips, and will serve as the logistics coordinator, bus driver, and official cat herder for this experience.
COST
Cost: $450/attendee, $400 for members
Includes:
– Hotel (1 night)
– Transportation in a 15-passenger bus
– Museum/program costs
– Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
– Snacks and water/sports drinks throughout the weekend
– Trip Guide
PHYSICAL EXERTION LEVEL/ACCESSIBILITY
There will be some short (¼-mile to 1 mile) walking/hiking on natural, rocky trails on both days, outdoors, on unpaved, natural surfaces. Some minor rock scrambling is optional, as well. Hiking boots or other sturdy footwear is recommended.
Bring
– Clothing layers in anticipation of changing weather
– Hiking boots (or other sturdy footwear)
– Backpack
– Sunscreen and sunhat
– Refillable water bottle or pouch
– Trekking poles (optional)
– Rock-hounding equipment (optional) – we will have some available, as well, and there will be some at the Bayou Trading Post, for purchase.
TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY
This trip is contingent on a minimum of 8 registered participants and will be cancelled by June 5th if the minimum is not met. If the trip is cancelled by Dinosaur Ridge, participants will receive a full refund of program fees paid. All participant-initiated cancellations must be received in writing.
- Cancellations received 90 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a full refund.
- Cancellations received 60 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for an 80% refund.
- Cancellations received 30 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a 50% refund of program fees.
- Cancellations received 15 calendar days or less prior to departure are assessed a cancellation fee of 100% of the program fees. You may transfer your registration to another attendee or forfeit your payment.
