Field Trips
Field trips depart Saturday April 11th and Sunday April 12th from the John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River.
Sign-ups open Friday evening, April 10th, shortly before the opening lecture at the museum. Follow the link to learn more about our sign-up process.
Geology Field Trips
Temple Mountain
Join geologist Benjamin Burger on an exciting 4-wheel drive trip to Temple Mountain, where we'll embark on a geological adventure spanning a remarkable period in Earth’s history. We’ll see the rocks that mark our planet’s largest extinction event, as well as historic uranium mines linked to the birth of the atomic era.
The Notch: Exploring Ancient Rivers, Beaches, and Dunes
Follow geologist William Little to “the Notch,” an unlikely gap in an even more uncanny geological feature: the “reef” of the San Rafael Swell. In this stunning, tilted landscape, we’ll explore the ancient sedimentary environments and the processes that formed rivers, beaches, and dunes millions of years ago.
Geological Glory of The San Rafael Swell
Join geologists Tom Chidsey and Paul Anderson on a full-day road trip through the scenic San Rafael Swell. The Swell is a large, anticlinal feature formed 65 to 45 million years ago. The rocks within record notable geological events throughout the Mesozoic Era. Stunning views abound.
Yellowcat: Agates to Uranium
Tour the historic Yellowcat uranium mining area with geologist David Berry. Learn about the geological history recorded in the rocks underfoot and take in stunning views of the subvolcanic La Sal Mountains, the Book Cliffs, and the Uncompahgre Plateau. Agates and barite balls are plentiful. Bring your Geiger counter!
Crystal Geyser:
A Geological Oddity
Join geologists Tom Chidsey and Paul Anderson on a journey from the Cretaceous to the Jurassic. The group will stop at notable formations en route to the Crystal Geyser, an unusual cold-water geyser responsible for picturesque travertine deposits on the flanks of the Green River.
Paleontology Field Trips
Ocean-Front Property: Giant Clams of the Mancos Shale
Join paleontologist Joshua Lively for a tour of the Cretaceous Mancos Shale and a look at the life that once inhabited this ancient sea, including ammonites and giant clams.
Fossil Point Dinosaur Bones
Fossil Point, just a short drive from Green River, is an extraordinary fossil locality where boulders yield large dinosaur bones from the Jurassic Era, dating as far back as 145 million years ago. Paletontologist Georgia Knauss will be your guide.
Mygatt-Moore Dinosaur Quarry
Journey 152 million years into the past, with this tour of the Mygatt-Moore Quarry, a gigantic dinosaur bonebed that has produced thousands of fossils over more than 30 years. This tour will highlight the history of the site alongside fascinating new discoveries.
Diving into the Cretaceous:
Old State Route 24
The abandoned portion of SR-24 leads directly to Green River with extraordinary access to exquisitely defined sections of the Mancos Shale. Dive into 70 million years of history of Utah's ancient sea. Paleontologist Jim Kirkland will be your guide.
Geology & Paleontology of The San Rafael Swell
Join paleontologst Joshua Lively on a full-day tour of the scenic San Rafael Swell. The rocks within the Swell are rich in paleontological history and record some of the most notable geologic events of the Mesozoic Era.
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite
Join paleontologist Emily Lessner on a tour of the extraordinary Mill Canyon dinosaur track site located off scenic Highway 191 between Green River and Moab. The tracks at Mill Canyon reveal a muddy environment bustling with dinosaur and crocodilian species.
Rock Art Field Trips
Rock Art Road Trip: Buckhorn Draw
Spend the day in the extraordinary canyons and ravines of the San Rafael Swell. We’ll drive a 122 mile loop through the Swell, stopping at numerous rock art panels. Preservationists Steve and Diana Acerson, as well as Geoff Smith, will be your guides.
Rock Art Road Trip:
Nine Mile Canyon
Nine Mile Canyon, often referred to as "The World’s Longest Art Gallery," is a breathtaking archaeological site in Utah, where thousands of ancient petroglyphs and pictographs,created by the Fremont and Ute cultures, transform the canyon’s cliffs into a vivid canvas of prehistoric history. Preservationist Layne Miller will be your guide.
Sego Canyon
Sego Canyon is a hidden gem that reveals some of the most haunting rock art in the American Southwest, making it a must-see for those interested in prehistoric art. Preservationists Steve and Diana Acerson will be your guides.
Black Dragon Canyon
Black Dragon Wash carves a spectacularly steep canyon through the San Rafael Reef. Among the sheer cliff walls, a mysterious red pictograph panel as well as numerous pecked petroglyphs reveal themselves. Preservationist Geoff Smith will be your guide.
Self-Guided Day Trips
Self Guided: Crystal Geyser
Crystal Geyser is located along the Green River about 3 miles south of town. Unlike the more familiar geysers, Crystal Geyser is human-made and flows cold water.
Self Guided: Black Dragon Canyon
Within deep, sinuous canyons, adorned with ancient rock art panels, lies the Black Dragon Canyon–named for the flying dragon pictograph located on its wall.
Self Guided: Swasey’s Beach
Enjoy spectacular canyon views at Swasey’s Beach just north of Green River. The white sand beach spans a long bend in the river and is shaded by cottonwood trees.
Self Guided: Rockhounding
There are plenty of rockhounding opportunities near town. Once you choose a site, make sure to write down directions before you go, as cell service is spotty. The Utah Geological Survey’s website provides directions, descriptions, and coordinates of some great local sites.
Self Guided: Sego Canyon
Sego Canyon is a great adventure the entire family will enjoy. The canyon contains rock art from three different indigenous cultures as well as structures from an old mining town.
How to Sign Up for Field Trips
We require attendees to sign up for field trips in-person. Why?
Space is limited and we need to know you are present.
We may need to share important trip updates with you.
We need to ensure you have the right vehicle if a trip requires 4WD.
We need you to sign a waiver.
We want to meet you!
When do sign-ups open? And where?
Friday, April 10th from 4:00PM to 5:45PM
Sign up at our information booth outside the John Wesley Powell River History Museum.Saturday, April 11th from 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Sign up at our information booth outside the John Wesley River History Museum. A busy vendor fair will also be taking place.Sunday, April 12th from 9:00AM to 11:00PM
(Please note that many field trips may be full by this point.)
Sign up at our information booth outside the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. No vendor fair will be occurring.
Am I guaranteed a spot on a field trip?
No. Field trips, particularly those geared towards paleontology, fill up fast. Be prepared to have alternate choices in mind if a trip is full.
If you are passionate about a particular trip, we recommend coming to Friday night sign-ups. Be there by 4:00PM.
Our event partner, the Bureau of Land Management, limits the size of field trips to a maximum of 25 people. Some trips accommodate less.
Important Notes
All field trips are half-day to full-day trips. Group size for each trip is approximately 25 people. If there is a trip you are particularly excited about, we recommend coming to the Friday evening lecture to sign up early.
Field trip leaders will meet their group in the museum parking lot, unless otherwise noted. Please be present 15 minutes before the trip departs.
Prepare to caravan to field trip sites in your own vehicle. Many trips involve driving on dirt roads. Vehicle requirements can be found in each trip description.
Pack plenty of water and a sack lunch, and fill your gas tank ahead of time. Wear comfortable clothing and bring sun protection.
If you have any questions call Epicenter staff at 435-564-3330.
Staff at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum will not be able to answer any questions. The Museum does not organize the festival, they are just our gracious hosts!