With summer on the way, it's time to get out into the field to search for those special specimens to add to our collections. Paul Boni and his crew have a 
great selection of field trips for us this summer.  Be sure to read his article about where we will be going, then mark your calendars and sign up with the trip 
leader. Just as a reminder, all field trip participants must be members of the club and each participant is required to sign a liability release for each trip.

You won't want to miss May's program. Our own Ray Gilbert will demonstrate the use of the "all you need machine."  Many have seen Ray's lapidary work 
and the jewelry he has made.  He will be sharing tips and suggestions. The meeting starts at 7:15 on Thursday, May 13th.  If you would like to further your 
lapidary skills, be sure to come to Charlotte Morrison's home on Wednesday evenings to use the club's equipment.

The May board meeting will be held on Monday, May 11 at Charlotte Morrison's house.

****************
May Club Meeting - Thursday, May 13

We are fortunate to have our own club member and expert lapidarist Ray Gilbert for this month's program, who will give us a presentation and demonstration 
of the "All-You-Need" machine. The club owns two of these machines, which may be checked out for 6 months at a time. Ray currently has one of them 
checked out, so he will bring it with him and share with us what he has learned about using this device.

****************
 

Field Trips!

Paul Boni

Here is the information you've been waiting for. The following schedule is a little light, but I expect to fill some gaps as the summer progresses. Here is the 
trip schedule, as it exists. Check your newsletter and the club's web page each month. I want to thank every one who has volunteered to lead a trip this 
summer. Your participation has greatly increased the number and quality of field trips. Thank you.

South Park Peridot

May 15

Trip leader; Emily Epstein

Peridot!!! 

Emily has, once again, gained permission for us to visit John Rhoads' peridot claim. If you have any doubt as to weather or not this trip is for you, ask Ray 
Gilbert to show you his gorgeous peridots. Bring a squirt bottle. 

Meet at 10 a.m. on the west side of the Salida Safeway parking lot (232 G St., left of the main entrance). If you need to get directions, there is a 
map on the website, or the store's phone number is 719-539-3513.

A spray bottle of water and a plastic bag to hold the peridot are highly recommended. Scratchers and kneepads might be useful, plus your usual field-trip 
gear (hat, gloves, specimen container, sunscreen, water, lunch, etc.) It will take about an hour to drive to the site. The last mile is fairly rugged, so SUVs 
are recommended, but passenger cars have made the trip.

John and Donna Rhoads are graciously allowing us to collect peridot on their claim. Cost is $5 per person. John will lead us to the site, which is an area at 
about 9,600 feet where peridot weathers out of basalt. Parking is on the deposit, so we can start finding peridot as soon as we step out the car. The area 
has been searched pretty carefully, so we may have to walk some distance to find nice material. Collecting is done by scanning the ground while walking, 
or getting down on all fours and looking for tiny bits of green peridot. If it hasn't rained recently, the peridot may have a brown film. Spraying water on likely 
patches of ground will let the green show through.  

Wamsutter, Kemmerer, and Farson Wyoming

May 29-30

Trip Leader; Paul Boni

Fossil gastropods (snails that is), Turitella agate, Fossil fish, petrified wood. 4-wheel drive recommended

Day 1: Travel to Wamsutter WY (approx. 4 hours), Eat lunch and spend an hour or two collecting turitella agate and loose turitella fossils. The ground is 
littered with collectibles. Just bring a sack or a bucket! Then we will travel to Kemmerer WY and set up camp. Last year we camped on BLM ground. It was 
lovely! Motels and RV campgrounds are available in town. Bring your camping gear and lots of water!

Day 2: We will spend the day at the Warfield Springs Quarry. The cost is $75.00 per person per day. If we have 10 or more participants, the price is reduced 
to $60.00 per person. The quarry provides a hammer and splitting chisel. The fossil fish are easy enough to find and abundant. The road to the quarry can be 
awful if muddy. Otherwise, any car will do. If it's muddy, a 4-wheel drive with good tires is required. We can arrange rides if needed. The quarry is hot and dry. 
Bring lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat. Also bring lots of newspaper or other wrapping materials to protect your treasure.

Day 3; Travel to Farson WY for Blue forest wood, travel home. Digging tools are needed. Those who do not have to get home right away may wish to stay, 
for another day or two, to collect fossilized wood in the area.

Kammerzell's Gold Claim, Central City CO

June 5 or June 12

Trip leader to be determined. Call Paul Boni for information.

Gold and small pyrite cubes

Vehicle; any

Our own Larry and Flo Kammerzell own a placer gold claim in the Central City area and have graciously agreed to allow us to pan for gold. The date is 
flexible to  allow for optimum water flow in the ephemeral stream. If the water is not flowing, we can't use the gold pans. A mine dump on the claim yields 
small pyrite cubes (< 1/4 "). Bring your own gold pan and a film can or other small container for your gold. If conditions allow we will try to have sluice and 
share the proceeds. Most of the gold found is "dust", but occasional pinhead sized nuggets are found.

Special precautions: The Central City area is literally undermined with old mine workings. Mine shafts and air vents can be anywhere and are never marked. 
They are usually fatal if one falls in. Participants will not be allowed to wander and children must be kept right next to parents. We cannot be flexible on this. 
As long as we remain by the streambed there is no problem.

Calumet Iron Mine

June 19 and 20(?)

Trip leader Bill Reid

The famous Calumet mine is a source of beautiful epidote. Also available are quartz crystals, uralite (actinolite pseudomorphs after diopside), magnetite, 
garnet, and small (but gemmy) sapphire. The hike to the mine is strenuous and not for the very young, old, or physically challenged. Good hiking boots, 
lots of water, eye protection, hard hats, and etc, will be required. The outing is strenuous enough that most people rarely want to do it a second day. Yet to 
be  determined: a possible second day at another, nearby site.

Creede CO

Trip leader; Paul Boni

July 3-5 ... 

Sow belly agate, quartz crystals, amethyst, pyrite, and etc...

This trip is still in the planning stages, but we are going. Please if you have information about the area call Paul Boni and help us plan.The Creede area is 
an old and famous mining district. Mine dumps often have amethyst, wire silver (not so often as we would like!), sow belly agate, and other goodies. Last 
year an operation opened up on one of the mine dumps as a fee dig. If I remember correctly, they were charging by the pound, whatever you collected. I 
don't have the fee at this time but am working on it. There are also sites nearby which yield quarts crystals,  agates, fossils, and other neat stuff. We will 
spend the long holiday weekend in the area and some can stay a couple extra days if they wish. Camping, motels, and RV parks are available.

The Contin-Tail show

August 12-15

Mt Antero (Aug 14)

Aquamarine, smoky quartz, microcline, topaz, phenakite.

Trip leader; Paul Boni

The Contin-Tail Show is one of the highlights of the year. If you have never been, you should try to make it. It is a rock and mineral show, similar to all the 
other shows one can attend ... except that is held out of doors and includes a lot of rockhounds who dig and sell their own stuff. It's a lot of fun, a gorgeous 
mountain setting, with everything a rockhound could want. The show is held at the Buena Vista rodeo grounds. Camping at the rodeo grounds is free and 
there are porta-potties in good numbers. Motels and restaurants are available in town and the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs is just down the road. Nearby 
collecting sites include Ruby Mountain, calumet iron mine, a brachiopod site south of Salida, and others.

Mt Antero: We will have a collecting trip up Mt. Antero on Saturday, Aug 14. Meet in front of the concession stand at the rodeo grounds at 7 am sharp. It's 
early but there is no other way. The weather can close in very quickly and afternoon thunderstorms are not to be ignored up there. Low range 4-wheel drive 
is required. The road is a moderate and technical 4-wheel drive road. If you have problems with altitude and narrow roads with steep drop-offs, this trip is not 
for you. Good hiking boots (absolutely no sneakers!), hardhats, eye protection, rain gear, proper clothing, jacket or parka, food and water are required. 
Children must stay with parents at all times. Participants must be in good physical condition.

McCoy, CO

Sept 11.

Trip leader; Dennis Gertenbach

Fossils; crinoids, brachiopods, gastropods, and others

This is a famous locality for the above-mentioned fossils. Crinoid stems can literally be found by the sack full. But you don't need that many anyway. The 
point is that this is a site where anybody and everybody can find fossils. Preservation quality of these fossils is very good and a few pieces belong in every 
collection. This  is a great trip for the kids! The site is usually hot. Lots of water, hat, and sunscreen are a good idea for this trip.

Trips unscheduled as of this writing.

The following are trips that will happen this summer, but have not yet been scheduled. We are working on other field trip ideas and will announce them when 
the details are worked out.

Lien Quarry

Trip Leader; Connie Hauser

Calcite Crystals.

The reason that this trip is yet unscheduled is that the quarry operators have not hit a seam of calcite crystals lately. The plan is that when they do, they 
will call Connie and Connie will call all who are interested. The field trip will then be on. Please leave your name and phone number with Connie if you are 
interested. Lien Quarry calcite crystals are often UV fluorescent.

Caribou Silver Mine

Trip Leader; Ray Horton

Ray has spoken with Tom Hendricks who has graciously agreed to allow us to pick over the mine dumps at the famous Caribou Mine. The main attraction 
here is the chance to find wire silver specimens. Other mine dumps attractions are always things like quartz and pyrite crystals and specimens of ore 
minerals. This is a beautiful site and well worth the trip, even if just for a pick nick lunch! At this time we do not have a firm date with Mr. Hendricks. Make 
sure you check out the June newsletter for further information.

Kremling, CO
Trip Leader; Bill Eeds
Fossil wood

Bill has found a site that yields a very nice petrified wood with a black interior and tan rind. For the lapidaries in the club, it takes a nice polish. For the wood 
collectors, this material shows good grain and knots. At this time we have not set a date for this trip.

Hans Peak, CO
Trip Leader; Melinda Thompson
Quartz Crystals

 This is a beautiful site, for the scenery alone! There is also buried treasure in the form of clustered quartz crystals. Anyone can find quartz here! The site is 
at timberline and there is a little bit of a steep narrow road. Low range 4-wheel drive is required. I'm sure we can arrange a ride to the top for those who do 
not have a proper vehicle. That, of course will depend on how many need a ride.

 ****************
 

North Table Mountain Update
Paul Boni

Rockhounds turned out in good numbers at the meeting on March 30 with the Jefferson County Open Space board. At this point in time things look positive 
for the future of mineral (zeolites) collecting on North Table Mountain. It's likely that collecting will be restricted to selected sites and that special use 
permits will be required. But who can say what will transpire between now and the finished management plan?

The Open Space Planning Team had the following to say about mineral collecting: "Staff Believes that limited mineral collection could be compatible with 
other recreational uses on the park and with Open Space's resource protection objectives. To manage the activity, a Special Activity Permit would be 
required to allow Open Space to monitor this activity." Open Space Staff also recognize that "the mountain is a world renowned collection area, with 
collections dating back to the 1800's."

Jefferson County personnel have heard from many of us by email and telephone. This evening they met a good number of us personally. The atmosphere 
was very positive and I want to thank all attending rockhounds for making a good impression. There will likely be additional meetings in the future. However, 
at this time none are scheduled.

Participants were asked to comment in writing about any subject(s) of concern. A lot of those comments concerned interest in continued zeolite collecting! 
The open space board will tally those comments and gauge areas of interest before hosting another meeting. 

Several of us have asked to be placed on mailing lists so that we can keep ourselves informed on important developments and will disseminate information 
as it comes available. Nothing is certain yet.

Bob Loeffler of the North Jeffco Gem and Mineral Club has put together a fantastic web page for the purpose of disseminating and updating information 
about North Table Mountain and our efforts to keep mineral collecting available. Please visit his  site and send along your support. Thanks Bob! 
http://www.peaktopeak.com/njeffco/legislation/ntablemtn_openspace.php 

KEEP THOSE EMAILS ROLLING! If you haven't yet written to Mr. Frank Kunze at kunze@jeffco.us, please do so. It is not too late and the more letters 
they receive the stronger our message becomes; keep mineral collecting available on North Table Mountain (please).

****************
FMC Fall Show Committee Meeting

John Hurst

The next meeting of the Show Committee will be on Tuesday, May 18 at Hurst's house, at 2863 Nebrina Place at 7 p.m. FMC Members not currently on the 
committee are encouraged to join us and volunteer for one of the many show activities--it is a great way to learn more about our hobby.

****************
Denver Museum Free Dates

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, with the assistance of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, offers free museum admission to Colorado 
residents on a number of days throughout the year. 

Remaining dates for 2004 are: Sunday, May 16, Wednesday, June 2, Sunday, August 29, Wednesday, September 8, Wednesday, November 3, and 
Sunday, December 12. Free admission applies to the museum only—IMAX & the Planetarium will still charge.

****************
Online Mineral Database

Here is an excellent online database of minerals and mineralogy that some of us have been using lately--it's got lots of info on many topics--check it out:
 http://www.mindat.org

****************

Flyers Solicited

At our annual show, we provide table space for advertising flyers from other clubs and shows. You are welcome to send flyers to our club to be placed on 
the information table for the 2004 show in November. Send your flyers to:

                        Flatirons Mineral Club

                        c/o John Hurst

                        2863 Nebrina Pl.

                        Boulder, CO  80301-1517

****************

Club's Genie Polisher Refurbished

The club Genie multi-wheel polisher is now completely repaired and ready for use (at Charlotte Morrison's house, Wednesday evenings).

****************
Jr. Geologist Night

Last month was the first Jr. Geologist program for FMC kids and their parents. Four Jr. geologists - Addison Starn, Stefan Codrescu, Joel Hyde, and 
Andrew Hyde - learned how crystals formed and how to use crystals to identify minerals from Charlotte Morrison and Dennis Gertenbach.  Each participant 
took home three different solutions to grow crystals during the next couple of weeks, as well as several crystal mineral specimens to add to their 
collections. Reports several days afterwards were that the copper sulfate and alum crystals were growing great.

Next month's program will be on Fossil Identification. The participants, along with their parents, will learn how to identify invertebrate fossils (animals that do 
not have a backbone), including gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, and echinoderms. The Jr. Geologist night will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, at 
Dennis Gertenbach's house (5330 Lichen Place in Gunbarrel).  Please let Dennis know if you will be coming, so that we have enough supplies for everyone. 
And, bring that unidentified fossil and we will see if we can figure out what it is.

****************
Colorado Science and Engineering Fair

The Flatirons Mineral Club gave Colorado mineral specimens to the top four finalists in the 49th annual Colorado Science and Engineering Fair this year, in 
the Geology and Earth Science Departments. They were:  1st place Senior Division, Rachel Doyle - 12th grade - Monte Vista High School, and 2nd place 
Senior went to Tyler Keck - 10th grade - Monte Vista High School.

In the Junior Division, the awards went to: 1st place, Daniel Neligh - 8th grade - from Ricks Center For Gifted Children of Denver, and the 2nd place winner 
was Channa Rotenberg - 8th grade - from Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy of Denver.

There were many more competitors this year than in the past, and though they didn't all receive an award, everyone did quality work. Good Students!     

****************

Denver Gem and Mineral Show, Mini Report April 2004

Judy Knoshaug, Secretary

Keep those dates in mind – September 17, 18 and 19 – for the fantastic 2004 Denver Gem and Mineral Show! The theme is ZEOLITES AND ASSOCIATED 
MINERALS. Have you started planning your exhibit? It is not too early to be thinking about exhibits for you personally or for your club.  There are many 
categories of possible exhibits, both competitive and non-competitive.  Perhaps you have collected at North Table Mountain in the past and have a nice 
collection of Zeolites that could be displayed. Or perhaps this is the year you have decided to try your hand at a competitive exhibit. The Show Committee 
would like to see more competitive exhibits. Then there is the Club Prospector’s Trophy.  This will be the third year for this competition. So far only three 
clubs have participated in this competition. Let’s try to increase that number. Winning the Club Prospector’s Trophy would be a great achievement and 
may attract new members for your club.

The Show Committee is always looking for new people to join the committee to help plan and improve the show. There is an acute need for someone to help 
in the publicity area. Regina Aumente has been handling publicity for the show for many years and needs assistance. There must be some club members 
out there who have a little experience with publicity matters and who would enjoy working in this area for the show. Please come forward. WE NEED YOU!!  
If you are that special person, please don’t be shy but call either Regina Aumente at 303-978-9926 or Barb Melby at 303-423-5876. Working on the show is 
fun and rewarding. You won’t regret it. 

****************

Upcoming Events, Nearby & Elsewhere

Class, Wednesdays, May 5-26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Naturalist Nook, Field Trip: Saturday May 15. Introduction to Rocks and Minerals, Lou Taylor, Earth 
Sciences Dept research associate, Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Learn how to identify minerals  and rocks, and discover how they form.  
Experience hands-on geology in class with a lecture and lab format, then apply class principles during a daylong field trip. A geology background is not 
required, only an inquisitive mind and an interest in deciphering the earth's mineral components.  DMNS member $120, non-member $135. 

Saturday, May 8, will be the first Dino Discovery Day (free public tours) of the year, 10:00-2:30. At 11 a.m. on this date, there will be a special ceremony 
dedicating Dinosaur Ridge (The Morrison Fossil Area) as a National Natural Landmark.

Saturday, May 8, Silent Auction (there are a lot of these!) sponsored by the Colorado Mineral Society. Held at the Lakewood Link Recreation 
Center, 1295 S. Reed St. (5 blocks east of Wadsworth Blvd. and 2 blocks south of Mississippi) from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M.  For more info please call Bruce 
Geller, 303-237-2947.

May 8-9 - Grand Junction Gem & Mineral Club's 57th Annual Show. Two Rivers Convention Center (1st & Main), Grand Junction, CO. Info: Harold & 
Marge Haskins, 970-434-3215.

Monday, May 10, Geologic History of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region, lecture at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 7 p.m., 
by Chuck Kluth, Distinguished Scientist, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines. A lecture in the Museum's 
"Making Colorado's Mountains" series. Phipps IMAX Theater, Denver Museum of Nature & Science$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student

Wed., May 12, USGS Free GPS, Map, and Compass Classes continue on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, through November. Map Reading and 
Compass classes are in the morning, 9-12, and GPS class is in the afternoon, 1-4 p.m.  Call 303-202-4640 for reservations. Classes are at the USGS Map 
Sales area, Building 810, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood (via Gate 1, on Kipling just north of Alameda).

Thursday, May 13, "Zeolite mineralogy of the Table Mountains", talk by Dan E. Kile, USGS, at the bimonthly meeting of the Colorado Chapter, 
Friends of Mineralogy. 7:30 p.m. at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, VIP Room (enter museum at staff door to left of main entrance). All welcome. 
For more info call 303-202-4766.

Friday, May 14, another mineral club Silent Auction, sponsored by the Denver Gem and Mineral Guild. 7:30 p.m., Berthoud Hall (Geology Dept. 
building), ground floor, Colorado School of Mines campus (16th and Illinois St.); for info contact Pete Neri, 303-674-2792.

May 14-16 - Scottsbluff, Nebraska Rock Swap. Riverside Zoo Campground, 1600 S. Beltline Highway W. Contact: Earl Noland, derocks@charter.net. 

May 15 (9am-6pm), May 16 (10am-4pm) - Capitol City Mineral & Gem Society, 5th Annual Rock Show. Holiday Inn, I-80 & US 85, SW corner at Fox 
Farm Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Raffle Drawings, Grab Bags, Gold Panning, Jewelry & Diamonds, Silent Auction, Hourly Door Prizes, Fossils, Gem 
Stones, Lapidary Items & Tools, Special Guests. Contact Paul Moot, 307-634-6773, or phmjam@msn.comail. 

Tuesdays & Thursdays May 18-June 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Denver Museum of Nature and Science El Pomar Classroom (by Gates Planetarium); 
Field Trips May 22 & June 5, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  Reading Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology, Dr.Bob Raynolds, geologist and Earth 
Sciences Dept research associate. Learn the basics of stratigraphy, sedimentology, geological mapping, and dating techniques. Field trips introduce you to 
the Denver Basin and Front Range structure and stratigraphy. $145 DMNS member, $160 non-member.

Thursday, May 20, "Walk Through Time" open house at Broomfield Heights Middle School. "Walk Through Time" is an interactive geologic park, 
designed and built by middle and high school students in 1998-99 at Broomfield Heights Middle School. You are invited to join the students from 7:45 to 
2:30 p.m. on the 20th for personal tours to interpret Front Range geology via large boulders and interpretive signs. Interested persons can visit this outdoor 
pathway any time, when school is or isn't in session.  Directions: Take U.S. Highway 36 to State Highway 287. Exit going north. Drive 1.3 miles to 
Miramonte. Turn east. Drive 0.4 mile to the crosswalk. Park. On foot, follow the concrete trail on the north side of Miramonte. Walk approximately 0.1 mile 
to the Walk Through Time path. And, you can take a virtual tour of the site at http://student.bvsd.k12.co.us/~bmeier/walk/dev/grantdescription.html  For 
more information, please contact Beverly Meier, Project Director, at beverly.meier@bvsd.k12.co.us 

Saturday, May 22, Silent Auction, sponsored by the Colorado Chapter, Friends of Mineralogy. 1-4 p.m., Glendale Community Center, 999 S. 
Clermont St., Glendale (near Colorado Blvd. & Kentucky).  All welcome.  For more info call Bruce Geller at 303-237-2947.  

May 22 & 23, "Before the Dig" Gem and Mineral Show/Trade/Sell Heart of the Rockies Campground, 16105 West US Highway 50, Salida, Colorado 
81201, 719-539-4051.The "Before the Dig" is a rock, mineral, fossil and related items show. Ninety percent (90%) of material sold by a vendor must be 
related to the Lapidary Arts and Earth Sciences. Provide a local Show/Trade/Buy/Sell for Gems and Minerals. Cost $35.00 both days, $20.00 one day 

Open Hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM. Dealers/Traders spaces (40 plus) are approximate 25 feet by 35 feet. Ample Customer Parking Restrooms - 3 stalls 
men and 3 stalls women (Campground Bath House) Vendor for food/drinks (soft drinks only).  Dumpster is nearby plus trash cans will be placed Tables. 
For more information or Vendor Registration Contact: Dave or Denise at 719-539-4051, Email: mcollins@amigo.net Or mail to above address % "Before the 
Dig"

Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-31, will be "Dino Dollar Days" at the Morrison Natural History Museum 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; see their latest exhibit, 
"T-rex vs. T-tops"!  For more info see http://www.dinoridge.org/NEWS.htm or call 303-697-1873.

June 3-6 - Westminster Mall Rocks.  Mile Hi Rock & Mineral Society, 28th Annual Gem and Mineral Show. Westminster Mall, 88th & Sheridan, 
Westminster, CO. Dealers, displays, demonstrations. Jewelry, minerals, rocks, stones, lapidary equipment supplies and information. Contact: Jennie 
Baldwin, Brighton CO, 303-659-7630.

June 18-20 - International Gem & Jewelry Show. Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E 58th Ave, Denver, CO. 301-294-1640, fax 301-294-0034, 
info@intergem.net.

June 19-20 - Pikes Peak Gem & Mineral Show. Phil Long Expo Center (1515 Auto Mall Loop, I-25 & N. Academy exit), Colorado Springs, CO. Info: 
Ruth Cook, 719-632-9686.

June 19-20 - 2004 Wyoming State Gem & Mineral Society Show, hosted by Rex Young Rock Club. Rendezvous Center, Hwy 26, Goshen Co. 
Fairgrounds, Torrington, WY. Theme: "Platte River Treasures", Displays, Silent Auction, Door Prizes, Raffles, Dealers, Grab Bags. Western History Artifact 
Exhibit: The Influence of Rocks on Early Native Americans. Black light exhibit, wire wrapping, faceting, flint knapping. Sat. 9-8, Sun. 9-4. Programs: Sat.: 
Slide show on the Grand Canyon, 10 a.m., WSMGS Delegates Meeting 2 p.m. Sun.: Field Trip: 8 a.m. $2 per day, kids under 12 free. 

June 26 - Cripple Creek Park and Recreation Dept presents: An Outdoor Geoscience Adventure: The Cripple Creek Mining District is one of the 
most interesting geologic regions in the country. In this field-oriented program, you will learn about area geology and explore Cripple Creek's mining history. 
Part of the day will be spent hiking through an active mining area where modern and historic mining coexist. Be prepared for lively discussions and lots of 
fun as you explore and discover the mining history of the gold camp. A local geologist and several field prospectors will be your guides. You will explore old 
mining sites and examine rocks along the trail. Historic mining techniques will be discussed in detail along with a review of the archaeology of mining and 
miners. Be sure to bring your camera, plenty of film, and be prepared to take excellent pictures of the old buildings and mines that remain along the trails 
we will hike.  9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June Hack Community Center in Downtown Cripple Creek.  $30 includes all materials, transportation, box lunch, and 
beverages.  Call Cripple Creek Park and Recreation at 719-689-3514 for more information.

Aug. 12-15 - 21st Annual Contin-Tail, sponsored by Colorado Federation of Gem & Mineral Societies. Rodeo Grounds, Buena Vista, CO. Colorado's 
largest outdoor gem & mineral show. 200,000 square feet of Rocks, Minerals, Beads, and Jewelry. Free to the public. Fluorescent display demonstrations. 
Food concession sponsored by the Buena Vista American Legion. Info:  303-709-4212 or e-mail the Federation. 

****************
Two New Dinosaurs Discovered in Antarctica 

The National Geographic News reported that fossil hunters have found two completely new species of dinosaur in Antarctica. This increases the number of 
dinosaur species found on the southern-most continent to eight. Exploration for dinosaur fossils in Antarctica is difficult, due the some of the harshest 
conditions on earth.

The first, found near the top of a 13,000-foot peak, was a 190 million-year-old plant-eating sauropod that lived during the early Jurassic period. A preliminary 
investigation suggests that this animal would have been 6 to 7 feet tall and 30 feet in length. Although quite small compared to other sauropods, such as 
brachiosaurs and Diplodocus which reached 100 feet in length, this may be the largest dinosaur ever found in Antarctica and perhaps the oldest.

A week later, the fossilized remains of another dinosaur were found. This 70-million-year-old dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period is the only known 
Antarctic meat-eater. This creature was found on the bottom of what was once an ancient sea, alongside the typical clams, ammonites, and other sea life 
found during this time. This dinosaur is estimated to have stood just 6 to 8 feet tall in life.

Although Antarctica is now covered in ice and snow throughout the year, this was not always so.  During the Cretaceous, it enjoyed a warmer, lusher 
climate, similar to that of the U.S. Pacific Northwest today.

****************
 

Mega-Earthquake FAQ's

Pete Modreski, U.S. Geological Survey

For your information.. I've been asked to help let the public know that the USGS has prepared two new web pages with questions and factual answers about 
earthquakes and particularly  in regard to "megaquakes", which as you may know, is the subject of a made-for-TV movie, "10.5", that will be shown this 
Sunday and Monday.

The USGS is not in the business of publicizing the movie, which of course has the usual mixture of fact and sensational action (more of the latter, it would 
seem from what I've seen and heard), but we would like to make available accurate information about what earthquakes really do, what their hazards really 
are, and "how large an earthquake is possible to take place". The websites below contain some interesting reading, and links to additional earthquake info 
pages.  This should be of interest to educators, geologists, and everyone else who is exposed to more than the usual amount of publicity about earthquakes 
in the coming week or weeks.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/bytopic/megaquakes.html 

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/bytopic/megaqk_facts_fantasy.html

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Updated 5/6/04