It happens every year about this time. Dreary skies and naked trees and icy roads begin to feel oppressive and I pine for the sunshine and warm temperatures found in southern Utah's red-rock country. I make a yearly late-winter pilgrimage to St. George, where I draw strength from the massive sandstone cliffs and black lava rock. It helps, of course, if I play 18 holes on a course sandwiched between those cliffs and that lava rock. Throw in a little mountain biking and hiking and I have a sure-fire formula for beating winter's doldrums. Where dinosaurs walked Recently I had the chance to visit St. George's Johnson Farm Dinosaur Walkway, which displays some of the oldest and best-preserved tracks in the world. Dinosaur tracks were discovered on the farm in February, 2000, and it has become quite an attraction. The site is in the early stages of scientific study - so far over 1,000 tracks have been found within a 10-acre area. Most were made by Dilophosaurus-like creatures and are three-toed, 13-18 inches long. There are also some smaller tracks and researchers have identified skin prints and impressions made by tail drags and swimming movements. The tracks were found in large slabs of sandstone from the Moenave Formation, dating back some 205 million years to the beginning of the dinosaur era. I've tromped over that very sandstone for years, never realizing it sheltered such treasures. Nobody knew, until Dr. Sheldon Johnson flipped over a slab while trying to level his land. There, on the underside, the tracks were clearly visible.
The casts are relatively soft and will erode quickly if left exposed. The area is now fenced and an awning has been constructed to provide some protection. Dr. Johnson donated his land to the city of St. George, and the U.S. Congress recently appropriated funds to help construct a science and visitor center. Volunteers do most of the work at the site, and more help is needed. To volunteer, or to schedule a large group visit, call St. George Leisure Services (435-634-5860) and ask for Theresa Walker, the site coordinator. Small groups can just show up during open hours: Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 am through 2 pm; during the later spring, summer and fall the site will be open from 9 am through 4 pm. It is easy to find. Exit 10 from I-15 will put you on 3050 East (Pineview Drive). Follow it south until it swings to the southwest and becomes Riverside Drive. Just continue driving until you reach the site (2200 East Riverside Drive), which is marked by a sign. St. George-area itinerary ideas The Dinosaur Walkway is just minutes from downtown St. George. Visits can range from one to several hours, depending on your level of interest.
Auto tour Snow Canyon State Park, stopping to picnic, hike or bike. (Half to full day) Auto tour Zion National Park, stopping at the visitor center. Try a leisurely hike along one of the lower-elevation trails in Zion Canyon, or challenge the desert backcountry in the park's southwest area. (Full day) Tour historic pioneer sites like the Brigham Young home in St. George or the Jacob Hamblin home in Santa Clara. (Half-day) When I was young and stupid I enjoyed winter camping at Red Cliffs Recreation Area, near Quail Lake, just west of the town of Leeds. Kids love to climb on the rocks adjacent to the camping area. For some crazy reason I also enjoyed snow skiing at Brian Head (near Cedar City) in the morning and water skiing at Quail Lake or Gunlock Reservoir during the afternoon. Snow conditions at Brian Head and other Utah resorts should be good into March. The reservoir water is chilly during late February and early March, but not bad if you wear a wetsuit. Now I enjoy indulging myself at the first-class resorts and spas found in the area. February is a great month to hike or bike Utah's red-rock country. Temperatures are cool in the early morning but become very pleasant through most of the day. Consider challenging the 6-mile Green Valley Trail, a fun ride that provides a great introduction to technical mountain biking in the area. The Moab area is also an attractive destination during February, with its myriad mountain bike, off-road and hiking trails. Of course, there's still plenty of opportunity for snowmobiling and other snow sports on nearby Cedar Mountain or over at Bryce Canyon National Park. - Dave Webb SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE / UPDATE
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Most of the tracks are actually "negative impression" casts, which appear as bumps on the stone. The area was the bottom of an ancient freshwater lake in the center of the super-continent Pangea. Footprints left in the mud filled with silt and sand, and more sand was deposited over the top. The mixture eventually solidified into sandstone and mudstone, forming the casts. Now, when the slabs are flipped over, the casts appear, much like Jell-O popping out of a mold.
