Agates to Uranium
Led by: David Berry
Only a 45-minute drive from Green River, the Yellowcat district is a historic uranium mining area, also well-known by rockhounds. Along the way, we will stop at an overlook with stunning views of the subvolcanic La Sal Mountains, the Book Cliffs, and the Uncompahgre Plateau. At this stop we will discuss deep geologic time and David will present a brief geologic history of the region, from the Great Unconformity upon the 1.7 billion year old Black Rocks to the extensive Eocene lakes that deposited the Green River Formation.
At Yellowcat, we will look at ruins of uranium mining, and David will talk about the geology of local uranium deposits, as well as offer a historical perspective of uranium production in the Colorado Plateau. Finally, we will rockhound for agates, barite balls, and maybe even see a few dino bone chips (these must be left in place).
Sunday | April 6, 2025
This is a half-day driving trip through the Yellowcat area east of Green River that includes hiking up to and over 1/2 mi. This trip is not recommended for young children due to potential hazards at mine sites.
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High-clearance vehicles are recommended, though there won’t be any serious 4WD roads involved.
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Bring sturdy shoes since we will be walking off-trail ½ mile or more on stops.
Due to potential hazards around mine sites, this trip is not recommended for young children.
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David Berry
GeologistDavid Berry is a retired geologist and water manager. As a geologist, he was primarily involved with minerals exploration and environmental work. More recently, he taught geology classes as a lecturer at Colorado Mesa University.
