Dinosaur Ridge

IMG_8138We headed just down the road from Golden and across a little valley from Red Rocks to walk on the Dinosaur Ridge Trail.

IMG_8139Yes, this is an actual dinosaur bone in a rock that anyone can touch.  Neat!

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More dinosaur bones in rocks.

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A dinosaur bone in the rock surface.

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IMG_8147Heather has her hand in a dinosaur footprint.  The sign said that this is a theropod print.

IMG_8150The downward bulges in the rock are brontosaurus prints (so say the interpretive signs).
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IMG_8152Heather holding up a footprint.

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IMG_8154Heading up to the top of the Alameda Parkway road cut.  The road was put in by the CCC in the 1930s to link Denver with Red Rocks Park.  Now it only sees foot traffic and the occasional tour bus from the interpretive center on the east side of the hogback ridge.

IMG_8155Great view of Red Rocks!

IMG_8156A layer of ash at the top of the road cut from a past volcanic eruption.

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IMG_8159A cemented inclusion among the layers.

IMG_8178Looking south at the Bandimere Speedway along C-470.

STA_8163 - STO_8177A panorama looking to the east with C-470 in the foreground and Denver off in the distance.  Much of the foreground area was mined for coal and clay over the years.

IMG_8179Ripples in the sandstone deposits.

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IMG_8182A tree showing its fall colors.

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Lots of ripples.


IMG_8186An absolutely massive wall of dinosaur tracks.

IMG_8189There are many individuals represented in these tracks.

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IMG_8195IMG_8184Heather checking out the “beach.”

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Looking to the southwest from near the visitor center at the Alameda Parkway cut.  The area in the foreground is up for a zoning change to allow townhouses to be built here.

IMG_8207A concrete dinosaur at the visitor center.

IMG_8208Yes, you can get a tour of the dinosaur bones and footprints riding this wonderful electric cart.

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