Geologist-led Hike in Red Rock Canyon

The history of Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs began 300 million years ago with the crumbling of the Ancestral Mountains that existed before the present-day Rockies. Geologist and Paleontologist Dr. Louis Taylor will lead our group on a hike through 215 million years of geological time one layer at a time! 

From shifting dunes of fine sand that formed 280 million years ago to the 85-million-year-old layers from the bottom of Colorado’s Western Interior Seaway, we’ll get up close and personal with the geology and paleontology, enjoy a good hike in beautiful scenery! 

STUDY LEADER 

Dr. Louis Taylor is a prominent paleontologist and geologist who has worked across the globe doing research. He has spent many hours as a field trip leader for Dinosaur Ridge and other paleo/geo organizations. He is a research scientist with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and has served Dinosaur Ridge as volunteer, Board member, and on staff. He currently sits on our Scientific Advisory Board. 

LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION 

Our exploration will take place at Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs near the Garden of the Gods.
 

Transportation provided in our Dinosaur Ridge van.  

PHYSICAL EXERTION LEVEL/ACCESSIBILITY 

We will be hiking trails along the park for up to a mile. The trails are sandy with gravel and moderate to mild inclines and slopes. Trail walking or hiking shoes/boots will be adequate. Feel free to bring hiking poles for balance, hiking boots with high ankle support, or whatever will help you feel secure. 

PROGRAM FEE 

$175/person ($25 discount for Members – email Erin.LaCount@DinoRidge.org for a discount code before registering).  

Fee includes transportation to and from Colorado Springs, a picnic lunch, and any and all programmatic fees. 

Registration closes May 14, 2025. 

TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY 

The Red Rock Canyon trip is contingent on a minimum of 6 registered participants and will be cancelled if the minimum is not met. 

If the trip is cancelled by Dinosaur Ridge, participants will receive a full refund. 

All cancellations must be received by email. 

• Cancellations received 45 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a full refund. 

• Cancellations received 21 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a 50% refund of program fees. 

• Cancellations received 20 calendar days or less prior to departure are assessed as a cancellation fee of 100% of the program fees. You may transfer your registration to another attendee or forfeit your payment. 

BUY YOUR SEAT!