ON THE ROCKS Presents

Picket wire Canyonlands dinosaur tracksite

October 4-5, 2025

Trip Leader: Dr. Bruce Schumacher

Trip Coordinator: Richard Fantel 

Trip Description

Join the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists for a tour of the "Mother" of all dinosaur tracksites at Picket Wire Canyonlands.

On the afternoon of Saturday October 4 the trip will begin with a visit to local outcrops representing the rocks we'll see on Sunday in the Picketwire Canyon, and potentially have some fossil collecting potentional. 

Sunday morning we'll make our way to see the track site. Located in the Comanche Grasslands along the Purgatoire River, this tracksite ("Dinosaur Lake") is considered the largest continuously mapped dinosaur fossil footprint assemblage known in the Jurassic Morrison formation and contains some of the world's longest trackways.  Roughly 1,300 tracks representing ~100 trackways were reported from a 5,600 m² area in 1986. Extensive new excavations have revealed more than 800 additional tracks in a 2,600 m² area. Time-permitting, we may have an added opportunity to see ruins from early Spanish and European settlers and get a rare glimpse at treasured Indigenous rock art found in this area.

This trip will be led by renowned paleontologist, Dr. Bruce Schumacher. Bruce Schumacher is a USDA Forest Service paleontologist who has been involved with numerous Triassic to Cretaceous vertebrate fossil excavations in this region. Bruce led numerous volunteer crews in the area over the past decade, and these citizen stewards are credited with uncovering and recording all the new dinosaur tracks on North side of the river.

Location

The trip will meet in La Junta, CO on Saturday, October 4 to explore the nearby outcrops before a group dinner and pre-trip talks. On Sunday, we will get an early start for a full-day guided 4WD tour of tracksite in Picket Wire Canyon and additional interesting sites (time-permitting in the afternoon). Participants will head home by 4pm.

Physical Demands

This trip will include limited walking/hiking up to 1-2 miles over uneven and at times unmarked terrain to access the tracksite. Depending on weather conditions, the walking surface may be rocky, sandy, muddy, or wet.

Lodging & Meals

A hotel block has been arranged at the Holiday Inn in La Junta, (27994 US Highway 50, La Junta, CO 81050). Please call the hotel directly at 719-384-2900 and speak with the front desk to make a reservation as part of the hotel block for RMAG.

Dinner on Saturday is included, in your registration fee. The Holiday Inn has complimentary breakfast, and attendees will be responsible for bringing their own lunch on Sunday and any snacks they'll need. 

Transportation

A 4WD vehicle with high clearance is required for the guided tour into the canyon.  If you have a 4WD vehicle with high clearance and are willing to offer space to attendees into the canyon please indicate that when registering. 

Cost

• $160 for members
• $200 for non-members. (not a member? click here to join)
• Are you a student? email [email protected]

Registration - Coming soon!

Registration Closes September 29, 2025. 

Refunds for the October 4-5, trip are only available until September 22, 2025

If you are unable to attend, your registration for all RMAG events are transferable. RMAG members may transfer their registration to another RMAG member, and non-members can transfer their registrations to whomever they wish. Should an RMAG member wish to transfer their registration to a non-member, the non-member would need to pay the balance between the member and non-member price.

Waivers

All registrants must fill out the Waiver and Release of Liability and Medical Emergency Form. Those who fail to complete these form will not be permitted to attend the field trip.