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Discover Dinosaur National Monument
© 2003 By Bonnie Neely
October is officially Dinosaur Month. Scientists have several theories of what made the dinosaurs die out millions of years ago, after having roamed the earth for about 160 million years in the Mesozoic period. But in some special places on earth their fossilized bones give clues that paleontologists spend years analyzing. Dinosaur National Monument, at a northeast corner of Utah and the northwest corner of Colorado, is one of the world's greatest treasure-troves of dinosaur bones. It was set aside nearly a century ago to preserve its wonder for future generations to enjoy. This unique area is a terrific place for family fun and learning.
Sauropod dinosaurs were the largest of all the species ever to live. Here their bodies were covered with sediment of an ancient riverbed, which turned into hard sandstone over the centuries while perfectly preserving and fossilizing the bones. The rock layers reveal different geological ages. During various cataclysms the earth's crust shifted, and cliffs were pushed up, creating a perfect “book” of geological strata and history of earth's formations. 
The shifts left the Morrison Formation of the Jurassic Period at the top of the ground the Dinosaur National Monument area, leaving dinosaur bones accessible and some exposed on top of the ground. Earl Douglass, a paleontologist who was exploring for the Carnegie Museum, made this amazing discovery in 1909. It is the world's most important dinosaur find of the late Jurassic period. Over several years Douglass' team of scientists and workers removed 350 tons of these pre-historic bones by horse and mule-drawn carts and sent them to different museums. In 1915 eighty-acres surrounding the find became a National Monument by decree of President Woodrow Wilson. Today Dinosaur National Monument encompasses just over 210,000 acres. 
At Dinosaur National Monument's Quarry Visitor's Center near Vernal, UT, you'll see a huge Sauropod lying virtually intact, just as it died. This is one of only four Sauropod skulls of this period ever found in the world. The Quarry excavation also reveals over 1,500 bones of many other dinosaurs, which are uncovered but still in the ground, just as they have been for 65 million years. You could spend hours contemplating the enormity of life on earth before humans while you read the chart to identify the bones in front of you. Exhibits tell about the dinosaurs and how scientists discover and decipher information from the fossils. 
Informative and fun Park Ranger lectures are throughout the day, fascinating children and adults alike. You can even touch the bones in one area of the Quarry, and see paleontologists working in the lab. In downtown Vernal go to Utah Field House of Natural History Museum, where you'll learn about the different ages of natural history of the area, including dinosaurs, Archaic and Fremont Indians and their artifacts, pioneers and settlers, and indigenous animals and plants. Displays are simple but well done and informative. You'll find an excellent gift shop with dinosaur and Indian objects. Perhaps best of all is Dinosaur Garden with life-like dinosaur replicas, where you can take pictures of your children petting them. You'll feel as if you are the only human beings in a Jurassic world!
Near the Colorado side of the National Monument you must go to the delightful town of Dinosaur, CO. The Colorado Welcome Center has all the information and answers to your questions about things to do in the area. Send post cards with the Dinosaur postmark to all your friends. And notice the street signs. Each street is named for a dinosaur, with its picture. You'll want to stop for coffee and snacks at the new BedRock Depot, which is open in tourist seasons.
There are beautiful drives and hikes throughout the monument's vast area, but the walk you must not miss is Harper's Corner Trail. An asphalt trail ascends gradually to a peak on a narrow finger of land, which overlooks deep river canyons on both sides, about a thousand feet below. To the East you'll see Echo Park Canyon, forming a “Y” where the brown Yampa River meets the sparkling emerald Green River, and their waters merge as they move on. Sunrise is magnificent! To the west, sunset is lovely as the river below looks like a silver ribbon threading through the deep ravine. Photo-ops and views rival the Grand Canyon, without the crowds! You're in high desert country, so sturdy shoes, water, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are important.
You can drive down into the canyon in several places. River rafting expeditions are also offered by several outfitters in Vernal. Don't miss the easily accessible Fremont Indian Petroglyphs, etchings done in rocks about 1,000 years ago. Ask for maps or directions at the Visitor Centers.
Bonnie Neely is a widely published travel writer residing in Paris, TX. She is a member of ASJA and NATJA and the editor and owner of Real Travel Adventures International Magazine at http://www.RealTravelAdventures.com
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