Red Rock Canyon Trip Schedule | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
A view of Red Rock Canyon exposures.
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Detailed Trip Information
Discover the world of Miocene fossils on this family weekend camping trip to beautiful Red Rock Canyon State Park. Whether you're a seasoned paleontologist or just curious about the past, this trip will be an experience to remember.
What will we do?
We'll spend the weekend exploring the Dove Spring Formation in the western Mojave Desert of California prospecting for fossils of extinct mammals and discovering specimens to add to the Museum's collection. You'll learn the fundamentals of recognizing and finding fossils in the field. Also, we'll take nature hikes, explore the region’s geology, and roast marshmallows around the campfire with Museum scientists and staff. Trip leaders from our Vertebrate Paleontology Department include: Curator Dr. Xiaoming Wang, Curatorial Assistant Gary Takeuchi, and Curator Emeritus Dr. David Whistler, who has done pioneering work in the Red Rock Canyon area for many years.
What will we find?
Past trips have uncovered everything from tiny microfossils to the large bones of giraffe-like camels and extinct elephants.
Federal and state laws require that all vertebrate fossils collected be deposited into the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. You will be credited with the discovery of all specimens you collect and your finds will be a valuable asset to the Museum for research, display, and education.
Let's go!
Trips are offered once a year, in the fall.
Our next trip is:
Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16, 2011
Registration begins:
Monday, August 15, 2011 at 9:00 am on a first come, first served basis.
Cost
Trip fees include breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, as well as campground fees, and the right to prospect for fossils under the Natural History Museum's permits on state and federally owned lands. All meals catered by Camping Pros. Participants provide their own transportation to and from Red Rock Canyon State Park and camping gear. Meet any time after noon on Friday, October 14, 2011 at Red Rock Canyon State Park Ricardo Campground.
| Adult | Child | |
| Museum Members | $235 | $195 |
| General Admission | $255 | $215 |
For more information please call (213) 763-ED4U (3348) or e-mail educate@nhm.org.