Fossil Mountain |

Delta

Roadside Attraction Fossil Mountain - Delta Roadside Attraction Fossil Mountain

Delta

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction
MAPS: The Barn, UT

Sat

A chance of snow showers before noon, then rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. South southwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

49 | 38

Sun

A chance of snow showers before noon, then rain showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

46 | 33

Mon

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

48 | 33

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 55.

55 | 33

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 37

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in the summer
WATER: None
NOTES: There is good primitive camping near the trailhead. The road to the trailhead is generally passable by all vehicles except the last 1-1.5 miles which can be walked if needed.

Sat

A chance of snow showers before noon, then rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. South southwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

49 | 38

Sun

A chance of snow showers before noon, then rain showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

46 | 33

Mon

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

48 | 33

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 55.

55 | 33

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 37

View Full Weather Details
fossilized sea shells

fossilized sea shells

World renowned, Fossil Mountain is one of the West Desert gems that many Utah locals don't even know exists. In the far western edge of Millard County, Fossil Mountain is home to a variety of fossilized shells and other invertebrates. This particular layer of fossils and sediment from ancient times also contains cephalopods, though it will take a fairly well-trained eye to find them. This is a must do place to visit for rock hounds and those interested in fossils.

To be fair, and set expectations, on our visit we wandered around for an hour or two, hunched over peering at the ground. Diane found quite a few fossilized snail shells, and we both found a plethora of fossilized see shells, but it does take time and patients to find them. You are not likely to make any great discoveries as the areas (particularly near the trailhead) seem to have been fairly picked over.

Note: This is just across the road from Ibex. If in the area, I definitely recommend visiting it as well.
fossilized snail shell

fossilized snail shell

Getting There

From Delta, head west on US-50. After about 50 miles, at mile post 39.2, a dirt road heads south off the highway.

  • Reset your odometer as you leave the highway. ( 12S 295468mE 4322012mN / N39° 01' 24" W113° 21' 46" )
  • 0.9 miles - left onto main dirt road. ( 12S 294456mE 4320973mN / N39° 00' 49" W113° 22' 26" )
  • 8.4 miles - Junction. Go right onto the lesser used road. ( 12S 294230mE 4309123mN / N38° 54' 25" W113° 22' 23" )
  • 14.0 miles - junction - go right and reset your odometer. The road merges onto a road heading north. ( 12S 287594mE 4304389mN / N38° 51' 46" W113° 26' 53" )
  • 1.7 miles - 4-way junction. Go right here on a lesser used road. ( 12S 287241mE 4306846mN / N38° 53' 05" W113° 27' 10" )
  • 2.8 miles - Road enters the wash. This is the trailhead. ( 12S 285937mE 4306526mN / N38° 52' 54" W113° 28' 04" )
fossilized sea shell

fossilized sea shell

Route

From the trailhead, your best bet is to wander south up the slope of Fossil Mountain 200 or see feet of elevation gain should put you in the fossil zone. The map is purposely vague to encourage wandering.

Note: I would discourage collecting as I think most of the time fossils are best left for future generations to view where they were deposited. If collecting, be sure to read the BLM's policy on collecting fossils. ( http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/CRM/paleontology/fossil_collecting.html )

Maps

Printable Maps:
Trailhead.

12S 285937mE 4306525mN

N38° 52' 54" W113° 28' 04"

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