Free Topo Maps of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Download free topo maps of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Use the adjoining 7.5 minute quadrangle legend to locate the Colorado maps you need.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Tarryall, CO
  2. North Topo Map: Hackett Mountain, CO
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Signal Butte, CO
  4. West Topo Map: Elevenmile Canyon, CO
  5. Topo Map: Lake George, CO
  6. East Topo Map: Divide, CO
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Witcher Mountain, CO
  8. South Topo Map: Wrights Reservoir, CO
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Cripple Creek North, CO
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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located near Colorado Springs in the state of Colorado. The Monument was established to preserve one of the richest fossil deposits on earth, covered by beautiful meadows, blossoms of wildflowers and magnificent evergreens, aspens, firs and ponderosa pine among others. Wildlife roams the land large and small, elk, deer, coyotes, bears and mountain lions diminishing in size down to the smallest insects; although the most oft sighted are the birds. This mountain valley in central Colorado is home to a large diversity of extremely detailed fossils consisting of some 1700 species of insect and plant life from the montane period, of the Eocene Epoch, 34 million years ago. The impressions of these prehistoric plants and animals are considered young from a geologic perspective. The largest specimens are the petrified stumps of sequoia as large as 14 feet across sitting upon the ground, while the delicate flower, leaf and insect life fossils are primarily beneath the meadows. During the early 1900s the area became an entrepreneurial tourist site where visitors were awed by the giant redwoods, some of the largest specimens in the world and they could collect fossils. Paleontologists had realized the importance of the region, however it was not until the land developers threatened the destruction of this invaluable resource that citizen's groups joined the scientists to have the Florissant fossil beds preserved for future generations. At that point steps were taken to insure its survival. Today the Monument offers an opportunity to view the museum exhibits of fossils, explore the geologic history of the region, go on self-guided tours with wayside exhibits, listen to ranger talks, hike some of the fourteen miles of park trail to explore the splendor of the mountain valley, its meadows, wet areas, and both the living and petrified forest that occupy this landscape. Horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter with some guided snow activities are also offered. There is an historic homestead on the grounds that can be toured with information regarding the history of homesteading and ranching in the 1800s. It is interesting to note that the reddish-orange boulders at Florissant contain Pikes Peak Granite. The Peak is in close proximity to the Monument with Florissant Fossil Beds located to the west of Pikes Peak.