Paint Mines & Trinidad’s K-Pg Boundary: A Trip to the End of an Era

Join Dinosaur Ridge and lead paleontologist/geologist Dr. Louis Taylor as we journey south from Morrison into the beautiful landscape of Trinidad, Colorado. Trinidad Lake State Park straddles the boundary of the End Cretaceous extinction event – the dinosaur-killing meteorite and Colorado’s rebound from swampy coastline to Rocky Mountain High. Saturday evening will feature a lecture on the Cretaceous/Paleogene extinction event by Dr. Louis Taylor at the hotel.

On our way south, we will visit the Paint Mines Interpretive Park to look at the layers that were deposited just after this extinction event, and the unique and beautiful geological formations. The sights include spires and hoodoos that form through erosive action which creates gullies and exposes layers of pink, yellow, orange, and red, mudstones, selenite clay, and jasper.

This unique field trip offers guided exploration of both the Paint Mines Interpretive Park and the End Cretaceous Extinction sites in Trinidad Lake State Park on this two-day exploration south of Morrison. Come explore the end of an Era with us! 

STUDY LEADER
Dr. Louis Taylor is a prominent paleontologist and geologist who has worked across the globe doing research for both sciences. He has spent many hours as a field trip leader for Dinosaur Ridge and other paleo/geo organizations and has led this Paint Mines/K-Pg Boundary trip for us in the past. He is a research scientist with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and has served Dinosaur Ridge as volunteer, Board member, and staff. He currently sits on our Scientific Advisory Board.
 

LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION
We will meet at the Martin G. Lockley Discovery Center:
17681 W. Alameda Parkway
Golden, CO 80401

We will visit the Paint Mines Interpretive Park:
29950 Paint Mines Road
Calhan, CO 80808

We will visit Trinidad State Lake Park:
32610 Hwy. 12
Trinidad, CO, 81082

We will be utilizing one to two 15-passenger vans to and from the location depending on registration. The minimum number of participants for this trip is 12 participants. 

PHYSICAL EXERTION LEVEL/ACCESSIBILITY
The locations on this trip will require medium to moderate hiking on paths and slopes, primarily at Paint Mines. The Paint Mines Trail is between ¾ to 1.1 miles and will go up and down over rocky terrain on gravel paths. Trail Hiking/Running shoes or hearty hiking boots with good ankle support will work best on the outdoor trails on this field trip.

The locations at Trinidad Lake State Park require much less hiking. The trail is gravel but wide and not dipping up slopes or over rocky terrain. Walking shoes or light trail shoes will work for this trail.
 

PROGRAM FEE
$425/person ($35 discount for members – please reach out for a discount code before registering). Registration closes on October 8, 2025. The program fee includes: 

• Picnic Lunch at Paint Mines Interpretive Park Saturday 

• Transportation from Denver to Trinidad and back 

• Hotel Accommodations in Trinidad 

• Picnic Lunch at Trinidad Lake State Park Sunday 

• Field Guide 

 Not included is dinner on Saturday night. Reservations for group dinner will be made, but it is optional and paid for by each guest on their own. 

ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be staying at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Trinidad. Dinosaur Ridge will be holding and booking rooms for our guests, and the cost of a single room with a single king-sized bed is included in the program fee.

TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY
The End of an Era Trinidad trip is contingent on a minimum of 12 registered participants and will be cancelled 60 days prior 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 cancellations must be received in writing. 

• Cancellations received 121 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a full refund. 

• Cancellations received 91 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for an 80% refund. 

• Cancellations received 61 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a 50% refund of program fees. 

• Cancellations received 60 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. 

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