Swimming is one of Sadie’s favorite activities, especially when it is hot. But swimming with a friend is even better!
Located in the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area is Dinosaur Hill. A one-mile, self-guided trail with interpretive signs about the geology and paleontology of the area begins near the parking lot.
In 1900, Elmer Riggs discovered bones of a 70’ long, 30-ton, apatosaurus at what is now called Dinosaur Hill (west of Grand Junction, CO). Returning in 1901 with an excavation crew, they transported the bones they found to the Field Museum in Chicago where they have been one display since 1908.
The bench at the information kiosk is a model of the two 600-pound apatosaurus thigh bones found by Riggs and his crew.
We followed the well-marked trail around and to the top of the hill.
From this vantage point you can see the Colorado River below that was used to transport the 6-tons of dinosaur bones to the Fruita railroad dock. First a wagon road was built from the hill to the river; then, Riggs had a flat-bottom boat constructed to carry the bones (protected by plaster of paris) downriver. Free transport was provided by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad to Chicago (because the bones were scientific specimens). Some bones from other apatosaurus excavation sites in Utah and Wyoming were used to construct the dinosaur skeleton on display at Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
There’s a great view of the surrounding area from the top of the Dinosaur Hill.
This is the quarry where the dinosaur bones were found.
A tunnel was blasted into the hillside to aid in the excavation. In 1938 Riggs returned to the site to dedicate a plaque commemorating the historic discovery.
John wanted to explore the tunnel, but, of course, it is secured with a metal gate and locks. In 1991-1992, local paleontologist excavated the site again finding four more apatosaurus bones.
After exploring the hill, we enjoyed our picnic lunch at this pavilion. Very interesting hike!
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