Robledo Trackway Traditional Cache
Toady & Froggie: This area is now protected and will not allow a geocache. Thanks to all who ventured out to see the trackway. Adios!
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The Robledo Mountains contain high limestone peaks, deep canyons, sprawling caves, streams, and significant prehistoric archeological sites. The perfectly preserved Permian period Pelycosaur vertebrate Trackway - 280 million years old is among the oldest finds in the world and the most significant discovery in North America.
Trackway excavated from the Robledo find are on display at the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institute, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
600 million years ago, Southern New Mexico was covered by a great inland sea. When the sea retreated, it left behind many fossils. Las Cruces teemed with reptiles and amphibians, whose stories are told in the abundant scattering of fossils in the Robledo Hills. Fossils found here are remarkable - containing the most abundant and diverse assemblage of terrestrial trace fossils in the world.
The monumental Trackway find can be attributed to the perseverance of one man, JERRY MACDONALD, who as a geology student at NMSU made the discovery and spent 8 years of his life dedicated to the excavation & research of the creatures that lived along the tropical shores of the great Southwest Ocean 50 million years before dinosaurs roamed the land. These early reptiles preceded the Triassic period (early mammals) and the Jurassic period (age of dinosaurs).
Walk along the excavation path and over the hardened layers of the Robledo Hills - following the footprints of the ancient ones. Please be respectful of this historic site. You may want to continue up through the canyon to see more of this beautiful wilderness area.
Take Valley Drive north to Shalem Colony Trail to County Road DO-13. First left and at fork - veer right. Park at quarry barricade - hike in is less than l/2 mile. Be cautious of the quarry trucks when driving this road during work days.
Cache is camoed ammo can containing: 1st finder's prize: JERRY MACDONALD'S book "Earth's First Steps". Also inside: footprint stickers, lots of toy dinosaurs & reading books & sticker sheets, USA button, baby pine marten, 60 min. phone card, geocaching window cling, Harley-Davidson 3" wing pin, frog pencil, copper geocache treasure coin, logbook & pen.
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