Fossil Ridge Ranch Field Trip

Trip Name

Fossil Ridge Ranch Field Trip

Trip Date and Time

Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM

Location

Fossil Ridge Ranch, Cooke County, Texas, near Valley View, Texas

Purpose

We will be collecting fossils from the Duck Creek formation on private property that we have been given special permission to access. Fauna present are predominately Eopachydiscus marcianus ammonites with a few Mortoniceras and Pervinquieria ammonites and occasional Idiohamites fragments. There are also the rare shark vertebrae and Ichthyosaur (Cretaceous fish) bones.

Meeting Location

We will gather at the Valley View, Texas, town square near 103 N. Lee Street, Valley View, TX 76272 at 8:45 AM, and departing to the collecting site at 9:00 AM. Please be on time if you don’t want to miss the caravan!

Signups

Signups will be available on the DPS web site at NOON Saturday, April 29^th, 2023.

Folks who attend the trip will need to download a Hold-Harmless form (that will be sent to Registrants after signup is over) and print, sign, and bring it with them.

DPS Membership

This is a DPS Members-Only trip

Age limits

Children are welcome, but we ask that you keep them close to you and don’t let them climb on the creek banks as falls and avalanches are possible.

Difficulty/hazards

There are some steep slopes along the creek where we will be collecting. Avoid these slopes as footing can be dangerous. Most of the creek has water in it. Some wading will be necessary, as the ammonites are in the creek bed where water is flowing or on gravel bars in the creek. There are places where the water is only a few inches deep, but there are also areas where the water exceeds 2 feet. Snakes as well as other natural hazards such as insects and poisonous plants have been observed in the area.

Attendance Limit

This trip is limited to 30 DPS Society Members only.

Trip Leader

Kim Pervis, text any questions at 214-395-4663 or on Facebook Messenger

Secondary Trip Leader

Bob Williams

Additional Notes

Please bring plenty of fluids to drink, sunscreen, rock hammer, and chisel. We will be walking in the creek. The creek bed can be slippery and wet, so bring your preferred creek footwear. Monitor the DPS hotline prior to the event particularly if we have a rainy spell that could cause cancellation of the trip. Take care of restroom needs prior to arriving at the meeting place. Also, we are asking that you collect only one Eopachydiscus ammonite 14 inches or larger in diameter per family or individual membership represented by your party.