Collecting Fossils in California - Leaves

<BODY> <P><FONT COLOR="#000000">Leaves Fossil Site</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>General Information</P> <P><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=-1>This fossil site is located along a nature </FONT><FONT SIZE=-1>hike trail</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=-1> in Jacks Peak County Park of Monterey County in Central California. </FONT></P> <P><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=-1>This area was under the sea until the Miocene Epoch, at around 12 million years ago, when an island started to appear. Todays Jacks Peak is the tip of that ancient island. That old sea shore is exposed in an outcrop called the </FONT><FONT SIZE=-1>Aguajito Shale Formation , where several species of leaves, marine crustaceans, fish and shells have been found.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>Jacks Peak is named after David Jacks, a Scottish immigrant of the 1850's that went on to create the famous "Monterey Jack" cheese.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Directions to Jacks Peak County Park</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>From San Francisco take Highway 101 South until the city of Salinas. Then take Route 68 West for about 20 miles. Just before the city of Monterey, you will see a sign for Jacks Peak County Park. Take it. Go for about 0.5 miles until Jacks Peak Road. Turn left. You will start to climb Jacks Peak and enjoy a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>From Los Angeles take Highway 101 until the city of Salinas and then follow the above directions. Jacks Peak can also be reached via Monterey using Route 1.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Skyline Nature Trail</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>Once at Jacks Peak County Park, one must park at the west side parking lot - were the Skyline Nature Trail starts (yellow).</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>The trail is a magnificent display of past and present flora and fauna of the area. You can bird-watch Pygmy Nuthatches, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Steller's Jays, Darked-eyed Juncos, etc. Also present are native plants such as the Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), the California Sagebrush (Artemisa californica), the Coyote Brush, and others.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>The fossils to be seen are several kinds of leaves, shells, and a tiny crab from the extinct Pinnixa galliheri species.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Fossil Site Display</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>At about 500 yards from the trail head - at marker #4 of the tour - you will encounter the Aguajito Shale Formation were a convenient fossil display has been placed by the County.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>The display has specimens of fish (very rare) , crabs from the minuscule Pinnixa galliheri species and sea shells.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>Also, with careful looking and some luck, one could see brown fossil leaves exposed in the shale.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Other Nature Trail Fossil Sites</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>A few feet from the display, Coffeeberry trail crosses the Skyline trail. This trail goes downhill for about 2000 feet and exposes more Aguajito Shale strata .</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>As you walk through Coffeeberry trail, you will see larger fossil leaves and a variety of fossil clams exposed on the shale.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>Also, you could encounter pieces of shale fragments containing fossil leaves.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Tools and Equipment Required</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>Only video and/or photo camera. In order to preserve the natural beauty of the park, fossil collecting is prohibited without a special permit - see Rules and Regulations.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Rules and Regulations</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>All natural features within Jacks Peak County Park are protected and may not be collected or disturbed. A special permit is required for fossil collection in this area. DO NOT collect any fossils without a special permit. Heavy fines are involved for violators. This protected park is a beautiful example of a natural exhibit and must remain UNDISTURBED. For more information call the Monterey County Parks Department at (408)424-8611 ext. 208.</FONT></P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>Pinnixa galliheri crab fossils collected at private locations of the Aguajito Shale Formation in the Carmel Valley, are for sale via the Internet at Treasures of the Earth. You can obtain very high quality specimens for your collection there.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Further Information</P> <P><FONT SIZE=-1>For further information on this fossil site, you can check the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.</FONT></P> <P> </P> <P>Viewing this page requires of a browser capable of displaying frames. With that capability you will be able to view images and graphics associated to the text for a much more enjoyable experience. If you have a frames capable browser, go to the following URL:</P> <P>http://www.gtlsys.com ('Collecting Fossils in California' home page) </BODY>