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Annual Denton Creek Canoe Trip

  • Sat, May 21, 2016
  • 8:30 AM
  • Justin, TX


EVERYONE planning to go MUST provide name and phone number to Roger whether you’re renting a boat or bringing your own – giving me your phone numbers. Reason is that the trip will be a last minute decision to go, cancel or revert to Plan B (a lake site for shoreline collecting, for example).

Annual Denton Creek Canoe Trip

Saturday, May 21 before 8:30AM

By Roger Farish

 

Same song, 21st  verse is our usually annual row/paddle/float/drag down the lovely stream called Denton Creek between SH 407 (near Justin) and I-35W (just north of Texas Motor Speedway) all about 30 miles north of Fort Worth. Come join us for a bit of a different outing.

 

This section of the creek flows through the upper Washita series of the Lower Cretaceous. In the past, assorted bivalves and the echinoids Selenia mexicana, Hemiaster whitei, Goniophorus whitnei, Holaster simplex, Macraster sp., Phyllacanthus sp. and cidarid plates have been found along with various plant fossils. Access to the exposures along the 4-5 mile stretch is quite restricted so collecting should be good. Other potential finds include the ornate Ostrea carinata and ammonites of Oxytropidocaras, Pervinquieria and Eopahcydiscus. Shark teeth are always possible.

 

No canoeing expertise is required since the creek is usually mild and there will be experienced canoers along to help out, if needed. However, it will be an arduous trip as we are regularly in and out of the boats and there are obstructions and hazardous slopes along the creek, all of which can be amplified by a low water level. So, please consider these things before signing up. If you need more information, please give me a call (972-898-2700).

 

The creek consists of deep pools connected by fast stretches (if we’ve had rain), all mostly shaded by trees. Surface collecting is along the banks, hillsides, side creeks and gravel bars. Certainly dress for the day. You’ll need:

 

  • Amphibious footwear (old tennis shoes), as we’ll be in and out of the canoes frequently, mostly by choice
  • Protection from the sun in the form of a shirt, hat and lotions
  • High-top socks to guard against possible fire ants and the sun (unless you’re feeling lucky)
  • Plenty of fluids and snacks/lunch of your choice

 

The trip will take 3-5 hours depending on how good the collecting is, how much water is in the creek and how bad the fire ants are. We haven’t seen many snakes but they’re there (ask David Hill). Pets and kids ok, BUT THEY’RE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, NOT OURS! (We really haven’t lost THAT many folks on past trips.)

 

We’ll meet by the northbound lanes of I-35W on the north side of Denton Creek, about 2 miles north of SH 114 intersection near the Texas Motor Speedway before 8:30 Saturday morning. We’ll leave as many cars as possible there since this is our takeout point and will drive people and canoes to the put-in point about 15 minutes upstream.

 

We have arranged for 8, 2-person canoes for members’ use and each can be rented for $35/canoe ($17.50 each end).  Please send your payment to me in advance (Roger Farish, 5 E. Remington Dr., Lewisville, TX  75077) or pay at the May meeting (5/11). Please email me that you want to reserve a canoe. I’ll maintain a waiting list, if oversubscribed. 

 

If the canoes are all rented, you can still join us, but you’ll need to arrange for your own boat. Most durable, shallow-draft watercraft can make it down the creek. Canoes and kayaks are ideal. Heavy boats or flimsy boats/rafts will have trouble. Call me if you have any questions 972-898-2700.

 

EVERYONE planning to go MUST provide name and phone number whether you’re renting a canoe or bringing your own – giving me your contact numbers. We are dependent on the creek level and the trip could be a last minute decision to go, cancel or revert to Plan B (a lake site for shoreline collecting or another alternate site, for example).

 

As usual, check the DPS Hot Line 817-355-4693 for the last minute status of the trip.

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The DPS is a group of professional and amateur paleontologists that want to exchange information, interact, and continue their education in paleontology.  We meet once a month on the second Wednesday evening of the month at Brookhaven College, Building H.



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