Weekend Fossil Field Experience at Harmon Creek Cattleat Carter County Geological Society

This guided expedition to one of Carter County Geological Society's active field sites at Harmon Creek Cattle ranch in Ekalaka, Montana includes all tools, training, and expertise from professional paleontologist Dr. Nathan Carroll. Participants will also receive a welcome bag from the Carter County Museum.

Available Dates:

Aug. 24 - 25, 2024

Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, 2024

In case of inclement weather, participants will be able to learn fossil prep using CCM specimens and sort microsite material. 

Guests must be booked along with lodging at Harmon Creek Cattle or an access fee if not staying at the ranch overnight. Fees include a side-by-side access to facilitate travel to the site. Two side-by-sides will be available that can seat up to three people, one of which will be driven by Dr. Nathan Carroll. 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INCLUDES TWO FULL DAYS OF FOSSIL EXPERIENCE. IF YOU BOOK LODGING, YOU MUST ARRIVE THE NIGHT BEFORE. For example, arrival on Aug. 23, dig the 24-25, and checkout on Aug. 26. Or arrival on Aug. 30, dig the 31-Sept. 1, and checkout on Sept. 2.  

We would recommend booking three nights of lodging with at $500 per night, which would allow you to stay in the Opechee Place the night prior to the first day of the field experience. If interested, shoot us a message and we will send you a special discount if you book lodging.

Itinerary:

Participants will meet Dr. Carroll at the Carter County Museum (if staying in town), or at their lodging on Harmon Creek Ranch at 9 a.m. and travel to the dig site. Once there, you will dig until noon, at which time there will be a one-hour lunch break (participants are responsible for packing their own lunches). Digging will then resume in the afternoon from 1-4 p.m. Participants may choose to prospect for fossils during this time in areas adjacent to the microsite at the discretion of Dr. Carroll. On day two, participants will follow the same schedule for the morning and afternoon, with the option to sort microsite material either on-site or at their lodging if staying at the Opechee Place. Microsite sorting is also guided by a trained facilitator and at the discretion of Dr. Carroll. 

Where will you be digging?

This fossil field experience is based on Harmon Creek Ranch and includes exposure from the Hell Creek Formation (72-66 million years ago). During this period, famous dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Edmontosaurus roamed this area directly before going extinct. Scientists from around the world make the trek to Ekalaka to study this famous fossil formation and the recovery period after the extinction event. 

What will you learn and potentially find?

Field experience participants will learn how to recognize and safely excavate microsite vertebrate fossils. Microsites are concentrations of vertebrate bones and teeth of multiple individuals that can be quite small. They often contain many species of animals, including birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and dinosaurs, among others. Several new species have been discovered in microsites all over the world! 

What happens to the fossils we collect?

All the fossils will be deposited at the Carter County Museum per our donation agreement with Harmon Creek Cattle. There, they will be sorted, prepped, cataloged, and made available to researchers. All finds will include participant names as collectors and will be identified as such if put on display at the CCM. Many of our visiting researchers are invited to speak at the Annual Dino Shindig to share the results of their studies with the community and visiting public! 

Please Note:

We are excavating fossils on private land and that the owners of the dig site have granted permission to excavate on these dates under the condition that all fossil or mineral material found will be donated to the collections of the Carter County Museum. Participants may not remove any material for personal or commercial purposes. The privilege to dig on private land is granted only for the duration of this single experience and participants may not return to the property without receiving permission from the owner. Violations of this will be considered trespassing and/or theft and will be subject to penalty under the law. 

Participant Requirements: 

Be at least 8 years of age (with minors accompanied by a parent/guardian also participating in the experience), Be of good physical condition, and have medical insurance. 

Note: Daily activities may include strenuous tasks on loose, steep terrain, in high temperatures, and in intense summer sun. Please consult your physician if there is any question regarding your level of fitness and successfully accomplishing these tasks. All participants will be required to sign a waiver upon booking the experience. If you would like to see a copy of the waiver before booking, please message us.