Near Moab in Grand County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Algae

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

1. Algae Marker

Inscription. The dinosaurs and other animals here walked on a mat of algae that formed in a shallow lake. The animals left tracks after the lake water receded, but before the mat dried up. The mat was then buried by layers of sand and mud. The buried mat hardened and became limestone. At a later time, the still-buried limestone was replaced by chert. The texture of the rock surface preserves the remains of this once living mat of algae.

Erected by National System of Public Lands, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Paleontology • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 38° 43.372′ N, 109° 44.058′ W. Marker is near Moab, Utah, in Grand County. It is on Cotter Mine Road (County Road BLM 215) 0.2 miles south of Mill Canyon Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moab UT 84532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country.

It is also

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in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sauropods or Ankylosaurs? (here, next to this marker); Ornithopod Tracks (here, next to this marker); Sauropod Tracks (here, next to this marker); Geology (a few steps from this marker); Medium-size Theropod Tracks (a few steps from this marker); A spring morning 112 million years ago... (a few steps from this marker); Large Theropod Tracks (a few steps from this marker); Dromaeosaur Tracks (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moab.

Additional keywords. Ichnology

The view of the Algae and Marker along the trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

2. The view of the Algae and Marker along the trail

Dinosaur tracks in algae image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

3. Dinosaur tracks in algae

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.