Agate Fossil Beds is like taking a walk back in time. 20 million
years ago there was a drought on the plains of western Nebraska.
Animals died around a few shallow waterholes from the lack of food.
Over time the skeletons were buried under silt, fine sand, and
volcanic ash. Preserved today in the Niobrara River valley at Agate
Fossil Beds National Monument is a large fossilized waterhole with
hundreds of skeletons. The discovery of this deposit in the early
1900's was important to the development of the science of
paleontology. Scientists estimate that at least 75 percent of the
fossil-bearing parts of the hills are unquarried.
Many of the cliff faces reveal chronology of geologic events as
well as clues about some of the animals and the area in which they
lived.
First called “devil’s corkscrew” (Daemonelix) these sandstone
spirals are burrows left behind by ancient beavers. Similar to our
present day prairie dogs. You will be seeing several of these
spirals along the path.
What you need
to do to get credit for this earth cache is to find the encased
spiral with the most spirals.
Count the spirals and as of June 8, 2007 we are also requiring
you to submit a picture of you/group with your GPS front
of the encased spiral . Any logs posted without the
required answer and photo will be deleted, thanks for
your understanding.
Parking coordinates for the Daemonelix Trail is listed as the cache
coordinates. This is a mile long loop with a moderate incline.
Please take the time to go to the visitors’ center just down the
road. It has a wealth of information along with a wonderful museum.
There are several other trails that you can enjoy with amazing
fossils and interpretive signs along the way. Coordinates for the
visitors’ center is: N 42 25.557. W 103 44.000.
Agate Fossil Beds is located on the Niobrara River in northwestern
Nebraska. If you are traveling east-west on U.S. Highway 26, turn
north on State Highway 29 at Mitchell, Nebraska. The park is 34
miles from Mitchell. If you are traveling on U.S. Highway 20, turn
south on State Highway 29 at Harrison, Nebraska. The park is 22
miles from Harrison. Follow the National Park Service signs.
STARBRAND
Earns
FTF Honors!!