Near Green River in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Barren Land?
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015
1. Barren Land? Marker
Inscription.
Barren Land?. . The towers you see here are the remains of a complex system of sand filled channels of ancient Lake Gosiute. The sandstone promontories of the Laney Member of the Green River Formation were deposited during the middle Eocene Epoch from about 40 to 52 million years ago. These cliffs record the rich floral and faunal fossil bio-diversity of many years ago. Today as before, the cliffs of the Green River are teaming with life. While it may look at first glance like nothing could possibly survive, the land is actually a place of fantastic adaptation. The deep gullies, slopes and magnificent spires are home to a host of plants and animals, some of which are threatened and endangered or sensitive species: Pygmy rabbits and midget faded rattlesnakes live among the rocks. Ute ladies-tresses take root in the dry earth. Ferruginous hawks and bald eagles nest and raise their young in the high cliffs.
The towers you see here are the remains of a complex system of sand filled channels of ancient Lake Gosiute. The sandstone promontories of the Laney Member of the Green River Formation were deposited during the middle Eocene Epoch from about 40 to 52 million years ago. These cliffs record the rich floral and faunal fossil bio-diversity of many years ago. Today as before, the cliffs of the Green River are teaming with life. While it may look at first glance like nothing could possibly survive, the land is actually a place of fantastic adaptation. The deep gullies, slopes and magnificent spires are home to a host of plants and animals, some of which are threatened and endangered or sensitive species: Pygmy rabbits and midget faded rattlesnakes live among the rocks. Ute ladies-tresses take root in the dry earth. Ferruginous hawks and bald eagles nest and raise their young in the high cliffs.
Erected by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 41° 26.178′ N, 109° 31.898′ W. Marker is near Green River, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County. Marker is on State Highway 530 near Peru Cutoff Road (County Route 37), on the left when
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traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Green River WY 82935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015
2. Barren Land? Marker
The marker is on the left.
Photographed By Audubon.org
3. Ferruginous hawk
Photographed By U.S. Department of Agriculture
4. Ute Ladies-tresses Spiranthes_diluvialis)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
