Florescent fossil beds national monument is situated in Colorado USA, west of Colorado Springs. It was exactly 34.07 million years ago that the volcanic eruption took place and most of the insects and plants died and those which fell at the bottom of the lake turned into fossils. Huge petrified redwoods and the detailed fossils of plants and insects clearly reveal a different Colorado a long ago. It represent the latest Eocene epoch of the earth history.

More than 1700 species of plants and insects have been found in this region. The rich deposits discovered at the Florissant bed give us a detailed look at life in an ancient North America.

Florissant fossil beds national monuments is today a land of rolling hills and meadows with forests of ponderosa pine, spruce, fir and Aspen. It is in the high countries of the rocky mountain west of Pikes Peak. Fossils are best seen in the visitor’s center exhibits and two interpretive trails. In today cooler drier climate pronghom antelope, elk, deer, porcupines, and golden eagles live as do insects of all kinds. Florissant in French means flowers and the meadows and the wild flowers really provide exceptional opportunities for the photographers.

Visitor center

The visitor center serves as a museum and information center. Fossils and other exhibits are on display and books and brochures are available. Schedules of talks and other activities are posted. Park programs and you own imagination will help in knowing about the present and bring the past to life.  There is a nearby picnic area and the park authority runs various environmental education programs to help out schools children. You can call directly for details. The center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the summer, 9: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the winter, closed thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Trails

The park has more than 10 miles of trails. On a walk through time, a half mile loop trail you can see the fossil bearing shale and petrified stumps. The one mile Petrified Forest loop leads to several petrified stumps including the big stump, remain of the giant sequoia which is 74 feet in circumference. However both the trails are wheelchair accessible. The other trail explores the Park Forest with new animals and plants which taken the place of the old ones. If you are interested in such trails then you can always call for the brochure.

You can experience the fun of cross country skiing in the winters. These are allowed in winters but you will have to contact some strangers. I do feel that you will definitely find this park and enjoy the proceeding.

Tags: plants and species, Trails, welcome to florissant fossil beds