The Triceratops Gulch Project is not just an expedition; it's a chance to immerse yourself in the gritty and thrilling world of paleontology. This unique, hands-on fossil expedition transforms you from a bystander into an active participant. This is more than just a field school. The approach is to involve you every step of the way, cultivating your understanding of paleontology and making you an integral part of the crew. You'll work alongside museum teams, excavating the fossil-rich sites of the Upper Cretaceous Lance Formation in Wyoming. The thrill of discovery awaits as you uncover dinosaur bones, teeth, and remnants of a long-extinct ecosystems and maybe make a huge discovery of your own!

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There are two programs available this season each of which is 

packed full to take full advantage of time out in the field. You can take part in one program or even book consecutive programs to extend your experience.  

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During the course of each program, you’ll learn:

• How to collect fossils both large and small, from the tiniest dinosaur teeth to the massive bones of a Triceratops—all of which will help to better understand the life of Late Cretaceous Wyoming

• Basic geological concepts to put fossils into the context of time

• How to prospect for new fossil sites

• How to distinguish fossils from rocks

• Mapping and important field jacketing techniques for the safe recovery of fossils bones

• About the geology and fauna of the Cretaceous at lectures each day

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The nature of fossil collection and excavation requires participants to be physically independent, with the ability to carry a backpack with a water bottle, and sit, kneel, crouch, and lay on the ground for extended periods of time in hot outdoor conditions. The activity will also include standing and walking for extended periods of time in primitive outdoor conditions. But, the true reality is, you will be unearthing fossils that human eyes have never seen. What a sense of discovery! And for those who are wondering, there is portable outhouse onsite, a true luxury not seen on most digs.

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The weather in Eastern Wyoming is very windy and very hot. There is no shade, so it’s important to wear clothing that will protect from the sun and wind. In the event of thunderstorms, we’ll work inside at the Museum’s lab to learn fossil preparation, molding and casting of fossil bones, general anatomy clinics and collections management. These are all topics that paleontologists receive as part of their training.

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Click here for more details on what to expect on a paleontology dig. 

1. The 4-day Greenhorn Program

Dates: Thursday-Sunday June 26-29, July 17-20, July 24-27, Sept 4-7​

If you are looking for a well-rounded paleontology field experience, are a newcomer to paleontology or if you are contemplating a future career in paleontology, the Greenhorn program might just be the perfect fit! The Greenhorn program provides a harmonious blend of museum-based lectures and workshops with hands-on fieldwork. Its purpose is to impart essential knowledge and familiarize participants with fieldwork tasks, helping you to uncover areas of interest for future expeditions like the Exploration and Excavation programs.

• This program includes  hands-on fieldwork

• You will be invited to lectures covering topics ranging from site-specific information, techniques, useful background knowledge, and the paleontology of the Lance Formation. Newfound knowledge will be applied directly to fieldwork, where you will garner a deeper understanding of field paleontology.

• This program does not include museum-based activities like the work in collections or work in the labs

• Hours: 5pm start on Thursday. Daily work is 8:00am-dusk. 4pm end on Sunday.

2. The 5-day Excavation Program ​

Dates: Sunday-Thursday June 29-July 3, July 20-24, Sept 7-11 and Sept 11-14​

The Excavation Program is for participants who have previously joined the Triceratops Gulch program. Participants will engage in focused long-term excavations at established quarries and test digs at other sites to assess their potential for yielding significant fossil discoveries.  Each day's schedule can fluctuate based on excavation priorities, team interactions, and weather events. An optional activity is planned for most evenings.

• This program includes hands-on fieldwork and field jacketing.

• Learn in-depth knowledge and skills in excavation techniques, fossil identification, and documentation.

• This program does not include initial exploration of prospecting or test trenching phases of the fieldwork process or museum-based activities like the work in collections or work in the labs.​

• Hours: 5pm start on Sunday. Daily work is 8:00am-dusk. 4pm end on Thursday 

All training, tools, equipment and transportation to and from the field area is provided each day. Also included for all participants is a cold breakfast, a hearty field lunch, snacks, beverages and optional dinners back in Glenrock. ​

Due to the hot and windy weather, you’ll want:

• Loose-fitting, long pants

• Long sleeves

• Broken-in boots 

• Moisture-wicking socks

• Broad-brimmed hat with a windstrap

• Bandanna

• Gloves

• Water bottle

• Sunscreen

• Quick-drying jacket

• Small backpack

• Notebook and writing utensils will help you to document your experience.

1. What makes Triceratops Gulch significant?
   The Lance Formation in Wyoming is rich in fossils. Glenrock Paleon Museum and Morrison Natural History Museum are fortunate to have access to dozens of sites where partial skeletons of Triceratops have been recovered over the past two decades. What was Cretaceous Wyoming like when the giant three-horned dinosaur was thriving? Can we document unknown aspects of this famous dinosaur’s biology? That is what our project aims to understand.

2. What has been most surprising about your discoveries at this location?​
   Diversity of life is the most surprising find in our field area. When found and studied together, this reveals wonderful insight into the lost world of Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus. My personal favorite site, Bert Quarry, has yielded a diverse assemblage of fossils - including shed infant dinosaur teeth last season. 

3. What are your current research objectives at your site? 
   This season we are processing multiple sites, new and old and collecting and exploring newly discovered quarries. We are laying the groundwork for identifying various depositional environments and the fossils found at each. The aim to reconstruct the diversity of habitats and the community of life that was present through time.

4. What was most important or rewarding find at this site?​
   We’re not trophy hunters, we are time travelers. All of the fossils in our field have significance, whether individually or as a community. From humble snails to ancient magnolia and mighty Triceratops, these remains, when woven together, help us to view the tapestry of ancient life at our field area through time. 

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