Horseshoe Bend Paleontology Field Trip (FYI) Saturday, December 17, 2016   9:00 AM – 1:00 PM You are invited to the Dallas Paleo Society’s field trip to Horseshoe Bend. Participants will collect fossils from the Duck Creek Formation, which can be accessed from the Oklahoma side of Red River. At this site in the past we’ve found both the keeled and non-keeled ammonites, including  Eopachydiscus, plenty of oysters and echinoids and even a few shark teeth.

Depending on how intent your collecting is you will probably need the heaviest of tools (hammers and chisels) to liberate an ammonite from its limestone resting place.  Sturdy boots are also a must. You may also want to consider some means of getting your 40# ammonite back up the hill. There is a steep, rough 4-wheeler road down to the river from the parking area that’s on top of the first bluff. The hike down to the river is arduous and not for the physically challenged. Some 5-gallon buckets will be provided.

Meet at the Oklahoma Tourist Bureau Rest Stop that’s a few miles into Oklahoma from Texas on the northbound side of I-35 at 9AM Saturday morning, December 17. Alternatively, a few of us are meeting at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Denton on the east side of I-35 just north of Hwy. 380 (University Dr.), just as you’re heading north out of Denton, at 7:30AM.

No need for reservation or sign-up for the trip, just be either of these two meeting places when you’re supposed to be there.  Roger’s cell phone is 972-898-2700, but please plan ahead to join us for access to this seldom-collected site. We’ll be accessing the river through very private land so respect must be on the forefront. Hopefully, we’ll have a special lunch treat and more collecting in the afternoon?

*This trip happening is dependent on the water level of the Red River. If headwater rains intensify, the trip could be postponed. We also need tolerable weather conditions on that Saturday. So, EVERYONE, before you head out for the trip, check the Paleo Hotline 817-355-4693 to make sure the trip is a GO. The Hotline will be updated no later than Wednesday evening ahead of that Saturday. This is the link to the Red River gauging station at Gainesville: http://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/rt . Hover over the green dot that reads, ‘Red River near Gainesville.’ We would like the level to be as low as possible – below 6’.

No VH or AT but a great opportunity to find and take home many large ammonites.
Contact: Roger Farish   972-898-2700   rffarish@verizon.net
Organization website: http://www.dallaspaleo.org  

MM 12/12/16