Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite
May 2, 2019
revised: Sept. 19, 2020
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Near Shell Wyoming, the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite displays tracks of Jurassic period dinosaurs along the shore of an ancient sea.
Out in the Bighorn Basin lies the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite. Located east of Shell on US Hwy 14 is the north end of the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway. This byway is one way to get to Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, which is 5 miles off the main highway. It may also be reached by starting at the south end near Hyattville.
If one starts from Hyattville, it is a 32-mile scenic drive on "improved" gravel and dirt roads through the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. This road can be very unimproved in places so consider a 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle for your trip. In the following pictures we have entered this area off Hwy 14, this place is a moonscape in more ways than one.
Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite. The tracks are in the rock "path".
This is a Theropod track made in the middle Jurassic period along the shore of the Sundance Sea. Imagine that!
Moonscape.
Theropod track.
It is eerie how well our hands fit into the prehistoric tracks of an unrelated species.
This show the length of a din stride compare to a human stride.
Another moonscape, this show the terrain around the tracksite as well as our moony friend.
The Absaroka Range can be seen along the skyline on the right, the moon is left of center.
The snowy Absaroka Range far away. This range forms the eastern border of Yellowstone National Park.
Scenes along the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway between the tracksite and highway US 14
Scenes along the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway between the tracksite and US 14.
Scenes along the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway between the tracksite and US 14.
Scenes along the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway between the tracksite and US 14.
Scenes along the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway between the tracksite and US 14.
Scenes along the Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway between the tracksite and US 14.
Two years after our first trip to the tracksite we returned but we did things a bit differently this time. Leaving from the south end of the byway at Hyattville about 8:00p.m. in a rugged pickup truck instead on the family mini-van, we arrived at the tracksite just after sunset. Being out in this vast, empty area to see the sunset and experience the night was very unusual.
The next few pictures show the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, the sunset, and the dinosaur tracks at night. We made our return trip by the light of a full moon which cast the many rock formations in yet another light.
On the road to the dinosaur tracksite, having left from the south end. The hills and formations were constantly changing.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite. All the pictures until we reached the tracksite were taken from a moving vehicle.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
Traveling north on the backway to the tracksite.
We are getting very close to the tracksite.
Here was a covey of Sage grouse in and along the road.
Visitors will find there is a clean outhouse and a picnic shelter but should bring their own water.. The trackway has a covered walkway with benches. Shade essential for an enjoyable time here on a sunny, summer day. It can be very warm.
All the tracks pictured were illuminated by flashlight. Here is a good view of a track.
More tracks.
More tracks.
It is almost easier to see the tracks in the dark with a light than in the day.
A ghostly track. It was eerie being here at night, it was as though you could see and feel the dinos in the darkness.
