Walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs? New Forest Service site makes it possible.

Would you like to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs? Swing by Ouray, Colorado, and you can. The U.S. Forest Service has bought up 27 acres of land on which lays “the largest continuous dinosaur trackway in the world.”

Walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs? In a circle, yes

The new public land site contains 134 consecutive fossilized footprints. The big prehistoric beast left a track of more than 106 yards, and loops in a 270-degree turn. This is “a rare occurrence in the fossil record of dinosaurs,” according to a Forest Service press release. How long ago did Dino—or whoever—leave these distinctive tracks? More than 150 million years ago.

Dino-detectives point the finger at “a single Sauropod dinosaur.” That narrows it down a bit, as sauropods are a family of massive, long-tailed, long-necked, and small-headed herbivores. Think of them as the pacifists of the dino world. They include Brontosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Diplodicus. They aren’t apt to whip around a tear you apart as in some scene out of Jurassic Park.

How did they leave these tracks behind?

So, how did this big reptile leave said tracks behind? Scientists suggest that the big beasty ambled through a sandy creek bed at low water. Based on the tracks, he or she could have been walking on their hind legs. The public is now in possession of something really rare, too. The only other sauropod footprints that show such a reptile making a track like this were found in a Chinese quarry. Apparently, they didn’t strike up enough interest—the footprints were later destroyed.

“By preserving these fossilized imprints,” stated Jim Pitts, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, “we are not only safeguarding a valuable scientific resource but also creating an incredible opportunity for the public to connect with the distant past, inspiring curiosity, education, and stewardship.”

Bring your hiking boots–and caution

You too, can walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs. You’ll probably need your hiking boots, as there’s no vehicle access to the site. Instead, you’ll need to climb up a steep, tough trail called the Silvershield Trail.

According to ouraytrails.org, you can get there by following this route: “From Main Street in Ouray, take 7th Avenue west across the Uncompahgre River; turn right on the River Road. The trailhead is 1.2 miles north, just south of the Silvershield Mill. The trail starts up the hill to the west of the new subdivision.” If you decide to make the hike, USE CAUTION. It is not an easy hike. The same source warns, “Parts of the trail are close to steep cliffs which demand caution. Keep children close to you so they do not run ahead into danger.”

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