“Bahama Montana” is an excursion into the blue, tropical marine waters that once covered Montana between 400 and 300 million years ago, and the fossil-rich sedimentary rocks that were deposited during this time.  These rocks now form the sharp, serrated crest of the Bridger Range.  This one-day field course will focus on observations and concepts that enable geologists to interpret the stratigraphy, invertebrate fossil content, past depositional environments, and geologic history from the ancient sedimentary units that comprise the highest peaks of the Bridger Range near Sacagawea Peak (9665 ft/2946 m).  Be prepared for a day of brisk hiking in a high alpine setting, collecting fossils of extinct Paleozoic marine invertebrate organisms (crinoids, brachiopods, bryozoans, horn corals, tabulate corals, etc.), and learning to interpret the sedimentary and tectonic history of this incredible outdoor classroom called the Bridger Range.  An important objective of the field trip is to study the unique and exceptionally well-exposed Waulsortian bioherms (carbonate mounds) in the lower Lodgepole Limestone (Mississippian Period) south of Sacagawea Peak. 

Requirements: 
All participants should become familiar with the fossil groups listed above prior to the field trip, in addition to learning some basic facts about Waulsortian carbonate mounds (Wikipedia is a good place to start).  Also, all participants must be in very good physical condition. The course will involve hiking all day at a brisk pace in rough terrain at high elevation (over 9,000 ft), often involving very steep, unstable topography.  Be prepared for a long day in the field!  Students will be expected to take detailed, meticulous field notes; collect and identify fossils (using identification keys provided); describe the key stratigraphic units encountered throughout the day; and turn in a post-field trip report.  The class will meet the evening before the field trip (Saturday evening, June 27, 2009) for a short orientation lecture (details will be emailed to all participants at a later date).

Recommended field equipment:

• Day pack with good padding and waist-belt support
• Lunch, energy snacks, and lots of water
• Extra clothing (several layers for warmth/cooling, rain gear, etc.)
• Good hiking boots or trail shoes (well broken-in and comfortable)
• Sunscreen, SPF chap-stick, sunglasses, hat, etc.
• Durable field notebook, water-proof pen, and clipboard (“Rite-in-the-Rain®” all-weather geologic field notebooks are available at the MSU Bookstore, but these may be over-kill for a one-day field trip; however, if you also plan to take ESCI 516-Rocky Mountain Geology, then “Rite-in-the-Rain®” might be a good purchase.  Check the MSU Bookstore for days/hours of summer operation)
• Sharpie “Twin-Tip” permanent, indelible marker (fine and ultra-fine tips) - black
• Several heavy-weight zip-lock freezer bags (good sample collection bags)
• A roll of TP or some newspaper, tissue, etc. – useful to wrap delicate fossils/samples in before “bagging” them with other samples
• Small digital camera (optional, but highly recommended)
• GPS (optional, but fun to use and useful for recording sample locations, etc.)
• Trekking or walking pole (my wife and I use Leki trekking poles and find them to be very functional in the mountains – only one pole per person is recommended, so your other hand is free)

Teacher Quote

Dave Lageson's field trips in geology classes were some of the most informative experiences I've every been a part of. I highly recommend you take one. Get in shape for these classes and you'll be rewarded with lectures on mountaintops.

North Carolina Teacher

For more information,

contact Diana Paterson at dianap@montana.edu or 406-994-5679

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