Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Brontosaur Bulges

Photographed By Jackson Perrie, August 25, 2018

1. Brontosaur Bulges Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The downward bulges in the rock layers are most likely dinosaur tracks viewed in cross section. When dinosaurs walked in soft sand they sank in, pushing down and distorting the layers beneath their feet. The tracks later filled in with more sand and then buried by more layers.

The image below is of the large bulge to the left of this sign. It best fits the size and shape of the back feet of brontosaurs (sauropods, often called long-necks). The bones of one kind of these 90 foot long, 40 ton giants, Apatosaurus, are found elsewhere on Dinosaur Ridge. The smaller bulges could be from juvenile brontosaurs or other kinds of dinosaurs (Stegosaurus, for example)

All dinosaurs walked on their toes and often their tracks show that the toes pushed in deeper than the back of their foot. In the track (bulge) pictured above, the deepest part was likely made by the front of the foot, indicating the direction the animal was walking.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Paleontology.

Location. 39° 40.69′

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N, 105° 11.703′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. The marker is on the Dinosaur Ridge Trail which is a 1.1 mile wide paved section of West Alameda Parkway that is closed to traffic. This marker is found 300 yards southeast of the parking area located at the junction of 93 (Hog Back Road) & West Alameda Parkway. This Trail has 15 unique dinosaur and geologic features. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Golden CO 80401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rock Deformation (a few steps from this marker); Morrison Fossil Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Late Jurassic Time (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rocky Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker); Theropod Track (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Volcanic Ash (about 300 feet away); West Alameda Parkway / Dinosaur Ridge (about 700 feet away); Bone Deposition (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

Also see . . .
1. Brontosaurus. (Submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Stegosaurus. (Submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
3. Apatosaurus. (Submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)

A Brontosaur bulge behind the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Abigail Perrie, August 25, 2018

2. A Brontosaur bulge behind the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.