The region around Grand Junction and Fruita is known for its stunning high deserts and deep canyons, but at the turn of the 20th century, the landscape earned its moniker in more ways than one. This area, known locally as the Western Slope, became the staging ground for a fierce, grueling paleontological gold rush. Rival…
Foot Prints at Red Fleet State Park Nestled in the high desert of northeastern Utah, Red Fleet State Park is often called a “land before time.” While the turquoise waters of the reservoir are a major draw for boaters and swimmers, the real stars of the park are frozen in the deep red Navajo Sandstone:…
Reading the Wall of Bones at Carnegie Quarry I. Discovery: The Man Who Followed the Bones On a bright August morning in 1909, a Carnegie Museum paleontologist named Earl Douglass crouched beside a sandstone ledge in the dry hills of northeastern Utah and traced his fingers along eight enormous vertebrae protruding from the rock. They…
Welcome to the San Rafael Swell. Whether you’re a Fossil Buff, a Geo Buff , a History Buff, or just someone looking to escape into a striking desert landscape, “The Swell” is a playground of epic proportions. Here is your guide to exploring one of Utah’s most spectacular hidden gems. What Exactly is the San…
Dive into the fascinating world of fossils and geology in The Ancient West. Discover the stories behind our planet’s history.