Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Theropod Track
Photographed By Jackson Perrie, August 25, 2018
1. Theropod Track Marker
First noted by Matt Mossbrucker and later described by Dr. Martin Lockley, this theropod (a carnivorous dinosaur) track was part of the top layer of sandstone at the Bone Site, 50 yards to the north. During road construction in 1937, this boulder was removed from the hillside and later moved to this location in 2013.
The sharp toe impressions show that this was a theropod. Since Allosaurus teeth and bones were found here in 1877, this footprint may be from a young Allosaurus. Other possibilities include Torvosaurus or Ceratosaurus.
From the footprint, one can determine the animal’s size. Multiply the length of the footprint (9 inches) by 5 to get the leg length (45 inches). For a Jurassic theropod, multiply the leg length by 3 to get the theropod’s head to tail length.
45 inches x 3 = 135 inches or 11.5 feet
The theropod that left this footprint would have been 11.5 feet long.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Paleontology. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 39° 40.732′ N, 105° 11.718′ 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Late Jurassic Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Morrison Fossil Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Deformation (within shouting distance of this marker); Brontosaur Bulges (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Rocky Mountains (about 400 feet away); Bone Deposition (about 400 feet away); West Alameda Parkway / Dinosaur Ridge (about 500 feet away); Volcanic Ash (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.
Also see . . .
1. Torvosaurus. Maxilla & Mandible archived entry (Submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Ceratosaurus nasicornis. Natural History Museum of Utah entry (Submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
3. Theropod Dinosaurs. UCMP Berkeley entry (Submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Abigail Perrie, August 25, 2018
2. A young Allosaurus 9 inch footprint.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 14 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.
