FOUNDATIONS IN GENESIS OF IDAHO/OREGON

Late Summer Field Trip, August 6-10, 2003

Kemmerer, WY: “The Fossil Fish Capital of the World”

 

 

The Kemmerer field trip is a go!  The Kemmerer, WY fossil beds are known world wide for the quality, diversity, and concentration of “world-class” fossil fish specimens. These fossil fish have a great story to tell us about past happenings in an ancient lake bottom. We have the opportunity to collect outstanding fossils at a private quarry.

 

“The testimony of the Flood is seen everywhere in the structure of the rocks of the earth’s crustal surface, the worldwide fossil graveyard, and the universal evidence of catastrophism.” Dr. Henry Morris, The Genesis Flood, p. 218.

PROMISE LAND FOSSIL QUARRY has lots of fossils in the sedimentary rock for Foundations in Genesis of Idaho/Oregon field trip participants to extract. The quarry site is 12 miles from Kemmerer at elevation 7,400 feet. There are lots of great primitive camping sites on the ridges above the quarry. After spending some time at the site last week with quarry owner Mr. Charlie Nunn, some additional information needs to be shared with all trip participants.

EQUIPMENT:
Thin, sharp double-beveled chisels are a must for splitting slabs to expose fossil fish. (Geo-tools has excellent chisels available at a reasonable price). A geology pick or standard claw hammer can be used for tapping on the chisel. A soft rock geology pick with chisel blade can also be helpful for working slabs. Large bars, three to four feet long are desirable for wedging apart large blocks of bedded rock. Straight bladed shovels will be helpful for removing overburden, and unwanted rock spoil. Lots of the rock splitting tools will look alike, therefore, mark your tools with paint or some kind of tape so you will know them as onsite tools will easily get mixed up.

The weather will be hot and dry at the quarry. People who are not accustomed to this type of dry heat need to spend some time outdoors getting conditioned before the field trip. Seasoned campers will be right at home in the warmer temps.

FOSSIL FINDS & SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
There are special considerations to be aware of regarding any fossils that field trip participants find. Standard regulations at all fossil and mineral quarries open to the public for fee work include the following stipulation: “the owner has first pick of “rare species” found by anyone”. Mr. Nunn will know what species are rare, and will be watching to see what we all find. Since he makes his living looking for fossils, certain rare fossils can be sold for $1,000 to $10,000 dollars to museums or collectors. A quarry owner is always looking for the “Eldorado”...and, of course, we need to respect this requirement. All participants will have the opportunity to find their own “world-class” fossils.
 

ABOUT SLAB SPLITTING:  Slabs will display "bedding plains" showing slight discoloration in layering (imagine several books of different thickness and binding colors).  A slab may be stabilized between your knees, mounded soil or held by friends.  Gently use the chisel and hammer to slowly split the slab.  Work all around the slab to loosen it. Several people can work on one slab.  Slabs vary in size from 4"x 6" to 24" x 24" or larger.  FIGI is working on gathering some chisel's, however it would best and very helpful if people could bring their own equipment. 

 

What is "slab splitting"? 

Besides being a tongue twister, it is also a method used to effectively split layered bedding plains that may contain fossils.  The following supplies are necessary and it is important to use them properly.

 

1.  Patience, Time & Gentleness - Bring plenty of patience and time.  It took time for the fossils to get where they are and it will take time to find nice specimens. Handle the slabs & tools gently, don't get rushed, the fossils aren't going anywhere.

 

2.  Sharp Chisel's - 1" - 1 1/2" wide & 6"- 8" long.  These need to have the end sharpened like a knife, i.e. shaped like a V.  A serious splitter will want 2 chisels.

 

3.  Geology Pick, Hammer  - Slabs will display "bedding plains" showing slight discoloration in layering (imagine several books of different thickness and binding colors).  A slab may be stabilized between your knees, mounded soil or held by friends.  Gently use the chisel and hammer to slowly split the slab.  Work all around the slab to loosen it. Several people can work on one slab.  Slabs vary in size from 4"x 6" to 24" x 24" or larger.  FIGI is working on gathering some chisel's, however it would best and very helpful if people could bring their own equipment. 

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
The road distance from Boise to Kemmerer is 435 miles, or about 7 hours at 65 miles per hour. If you put the “pedal to the metal”, and no potty stops, you can easily make it in 6 hours! The route from Boise is by Highway 84 to Echo UT, then Highway 80 to about 13 miles past Evanston WY, and then Highway 189 to Kemmerer WY. The Promise Land Fossil Quarry is about 12 miles northwest of Kemmerer on paved and dirt roads.

At intersection of Hwy 30/189 on the north side of Kemmerer, set your trip odometer at 0.0. Proceed northward or right turn on Hwy 189 (Big Phiney) for about 0.9 miles. Turn left at Frontier on Lake Viva Naughton Road for 3.9 miles. Turn left onto a dirt road signed Dempsey Road BLM #4211 and proceed 5.2 miles to intersection of dirt road to left. Small sign at this intersection will indicate the quarry is to the left. The quarry is 2 miles from this intersection. Normal travel time from Kemmerer to the quarry is about 20 minutes.

SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT KEMERERER, WYOMING FOR THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE AUGUST FIELD TRIP.

Kemmerer, Wyoming is a small town with a population 3000 people located near the Fossil Butte National Monument, some of the best hunting and fishing in the world, and the majesty of Yellowstone Park. You'll like it here, here's why: First and foremost are the folks who call Kemmerer home. You won't find a friendlier town anywhere. No pollution, no traffic, no crowds, no stress. Just about perfect.
Enjoy a complete western vacation in Kemmerer, an authentic western mining town surrounded by high desert and the Rocky Mountains and three million acres of public lands. We offer "blue ribbon" fly fishing on the Green River, Hams Fork, Lake Viva Naughton, and Fontenelle Reservoir, the best big game hunting in the world, municipal golf course, and many historical sites.

Distance to Major Cities:
Kemmerer is 126 miles northeast of Salt Lake City, 200 Miles south of Yellowstone, and 150 miles south of Jackson Hole

Tent only campground available on Highway 233 near the Kemmerer City Hall. This area is for the use of paid campers only - no self contained units, no RV's, no trailers. Contact City Hall at 307-828-2360 for more information.

Climate: We are known for our pleasantly cool summer days with the temperatures seldom reaching 90 degrees and evening temps between 48-52 degrees with little humidity. Fall brings the changing of the seasons; the nights and mornings are crisp and days filled with sunshine. Wintertime brings snow and cold temperatures, but the sun continues to shine throughout the season, bringing a unique beauty to the valley. Spring rains herald the completion of the cycle of life for the flowers and wildlife.

Local Attractions: Fossil Butte National Monument, Bridger-Teton National Forest, P & M Coal Mine, J.C. Penney Mother Store and Home, Fossil County Frontier Museum,

Fossil Country Frontier Museum
PO Box 854 * 400 Pine Ave * Kemmerer WY 83101
Ph: 307-877-6551 Email: museum@hamsfork.net
Fossil Country Frontier Museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and interprets materials related to the natural and cultural history of South Lincoln County and southwestern Wyoming, for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Exhibits:
·History of Kemmerer/Diamondville
·Early 1900s Period Dining Room
·Replica Coal Mine and assortment of coal mining equipment
·Bootlegging Stills and Wine Presses
·Hadrosaurid footprint
·Two-bodied lamb
·Mountain Men
·JC Penney Mother Store
·Sawaya's Kemmerer Shoe Store
·Annie Richey, Cattle Rustler

Annual Events:
·Campfire Chats (summer months)
·Oyster Ridge Music Festival (July)
·Wyoming Heritage Auction (November)
·Christmas Program (December)
·Archive of over 1,000 photographs

Hours
Open Monday through Saturday
Winter (September - May) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Summer (June - August) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Visit the museum gift shop