June 9, 2024 @ 13:30 MDT
Site Visit #156
This would be our third site on this trip dedicated to fossil beds. Unfortunately, it would be our last as we head to Ohio for an unplanned visit.
As with the other sites, the discovery was accidental. Local rancher Elmer Cook found what he realized were fossils on his land, showing them to an expert at the U.S. Geological Survey. This opened the floodgates of researchers who ultimately found tens of thousands of fossils on the site. Some 45 new species were discovered here, with eight of those not found anywhere else.
Fossils include predecessors to horses, camels, beavers, birds, dogs, tigers, and several other now-extinct species. Research and excavation continue on this site so the only fossils visitors can see are at the visitor center (shared with Thousand Springs State Park). Access to the actual fossil sites is restricted. A good video about the finds plays at the visitor center.
As for what to do at this site after leaving the visitor center, the only real option is a drive onto NPS lands south of the town of Hagerman. A six mile road leads to an overlook of the Snake RIver, and further on, an stop called the Oregon Trail Overlook, where the actual Oregon Trail parallels the current road. Faint ruts are still visible. This overlook is at the top of a long climb to a gap between higher peaks. It took us 10-15 minutes to drive to this point. I suspect it took most of a day for the pioneers in the wagons to reach this point.
Because the actual sites are restricted, this was a shorter visit, but with good information ultimately providing yet another site where I learned something new. The shorter day was also nice given the three long days of steady driving we have before us. I’ll have to rearrange my groups to allow me back to this area so I can visit the 12 sites planned for this trip that we will not see now.
Steve
