Trail Through Time Paleontological Trail
The Trail Through Time is an interpretive trail adjacent to an active dinosaur quarry that dates back 140 million years (paleontologists are periodically onsite May - August). The list of dinosaur remains preserved at the Mygatt Moore quarry is quite extensive, and includes Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus Camarasaurus, Ceratosaurus, Allosaurus, Nodosaurus. The best time for hiking the Trail Through Time is spring or fall. Summers temperatures can reach 100+, with biting gnats. During the winter, the can be slippery and some of the paleontological features may be obscured by snow. The Trail Through Time is administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Museum of Western Colorado. To protect the trail and unique resources it interprets, pets and smoking are discouraged on the trail, and the trail is closed to mountain bike and motorized recreation.
Visiting the Trail Through Time and Mygatt-Moore Quarry
LOCATION: 26 miles west of Grand Junction
LENGTH: 1.5 mile loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate
APPROXIMATE TIME TO COMPLETE: 1.5 hours
SEASON:
FACILITIES: Restroom (wheelchair accessible)
DRINKING WATER: None. Plan to pack in 1 gallon per person, per day
DIRECTIONS: From Grand Junction take I-70 west to Rabbit Valley exit (Exit #2), turn right at the top of the off ramp. Parking area is straight ahead.
