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Brachiopods by the million by hippiepunkpirate Introduction This roadside paleontology site is great place for a short stop (or all day hunt) for fossils of the Naco Formation, a Pennsylvanian shale/limestone deposited 300 million years ago. It barely constitutes a hike, as the rock outcrops are within 100 yards of the parking lot. I visited this site in October 2009 on a paleontology field-trip for my Geology 225 class at NAU. I did not consider writing this description until I got home, so at the time of this writing, I only have photos of the specimens I collected, but none showing the layout of the site. Hopefully additional photos will be posted in the future to supplement my written description. During my trip here, I had the best luck finding small brachiopod fossils as well as slabs containing fenestrate bryozoans. I also snagged a bi-valve that one of the grad-students found. Other people in my class found spiriferoids, crinoids, and even a good sized gastropod. The site From the parking lot the collecting site is directly to the south, on the other side of a wire fence. After passing through the gate in the fence, you will notice an exposed rock outcrop to your right approximately 25-30 feet tall. This is the main collecting area that most focus on, and requires some digging and scrambling up slope. This seems to be the area where most of the larger brachiopods (including spiriferoids) can be found. Although I personally did not find crinoids at this locality, classmates of mine reported finding crinoids at the southern end of the outcrop. I did find a couple nice slabs at the southern end, on containing at least two small brachiopods and the other containing fenestrate bryzoans. Below the outcrop face there are some piles of rubble, some being of Naco material and some from outside this locality. The Naco material generally has a purple hue to it while the outside material has a tan/buff color. Ignore the tan/buff material, you will be wasting your time. In the pile of Naco rubble I found some small bryzoan fossils, so it is worth looking through. My favorite area of the site was just over the top of the big rock outcrop along an old jeep track running to the southwest. To the right of the jeep track is a small hill that is a hotbed for little brachiopods. You can sit at just about any spot on the slope and pick up dozens of brachipods without moving. This is where my bi-valve specimen came from, as well as some nice bryzoan slabs. Crinoid material and a rare gastropod can also been found out here. My paleo professor encouraged us to collect as much material as we wanted as the outcrops are constantly weathering out with new material being unearthed continually. NAU has been collecting at this site for about 30 years, and we still discover new species and more complete specimens every year. Keeping what you find is not an issue if you choose to do so. Check out the Triplogs. Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Naco Paleo Site - HWY 260
Denny and I wandered around looking for fossils for twenty minutes not really noticing any. There was another group poking around so I asked to see what they were finding. The fossils they found are much smaller and subtle than we expected. After that, we found a few and were on our merry way. 
2014-07-12 johnlp
Naco Paleo Site - HWY 260
This was geology fieldtrip for GLG 225 Invertebrate Paleontology at NAU. The first stop (along Highway 87/260, 3 miles south of Pine at the Control Road junction), is not listed in the hike description. A few brachipods were found (one guy found an awesome Spiriferoid), but mostly it was a vast amount of crinoid material. One of the grad students said he found a shark tooth at this locality previously.
The second stop was at the locality from the hike description. The photos show specimens from both localities, so I have noted in the captions "Pine Locality" if applicable. Hiking data reflects estimates combined from both localities.
The second stop was at the locality from the hike description. The photos show specimens from both localities, so I have noted in the captions "Pine Locality" if applicable. Hiking data reflects estimates combined from both localities.
2009-10-11 hippiepunkpirate
