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Hagerman Bluff
A view across the Snake River looking at the bluff. The fossil dig site is below but can't be seen.
The Oregon Trail overlooks are on the bluff across the river. June 13, 2010
HAGERMAN FOSSIL BEDS
Hagerman, Idaho
Hagerman is a sleepy little town you often see in movies, but rarely do you think that such a place exists. As you enter town on Highway 30, you are greeted with a hand-lettered sign that reads, “Varment Guns for Sale.” It is a country farm town with all the country charm yoou could want. We quickly found the Hagerman Fossil Beds Visitors Center. It is across the street from the High School and local park. Parking is street side and limited. We parked up the street a bit and had to walk back.
It has the characteristic charm of a cabin in the woods, logs and all. When you enter you are treated with a full skeleton of the Hagerman Horse. Real bones, not just a plaster reproduction. There are more items among the small room. There is even a replica of a female mastodon head. The exhibits are well documented. Most of the skeletal parts of the Hagerman horse have descriptive placards.
The Ranger was very helpful and provided an area map to guide us to the Hagerman Fossil Beds. Actually, we went to the fossil
Hagerman "Fossil Dig"
A child's learning display, a sand box with buried simulated fossils for the child to discover. I'm sure the children deligh in finding the old bones. I did! Located at the Hagerman Fossil Beds Visitor Center, Hagerman, Idaho. beds first before coming to the Visitor’s Center. We found that you cannot not actually see the dig sites or even get close enough to see any fossil remains. Located about 5.9 miles out of the town, you have to cross the Snake River on a rather unique and famous one-lane bridge. It was built in 1920 it is called the Owsley Bridge. It was erected by the Smithsonian Institution to give access to the fossil beds when they were actively excavating the sites. In 1998 the bridge was added to the National Historic Landmark list.
Now being the creatures of comfort we are, we keyed in Hagerman Fossil Beds into our Garmin GPS, (we call her Lola after the movie, RV) and happily set off. Lola brought us to the Upper Salmon Falls Power Dam and proudly announced our arrival at the Hagerman Fossil Beds. There was a locked gate on a small dirt road but nothing to announce the fossil beds. Had Lola taken us to a wrong destination? We drove across yet another small bridge to a small compound of about 7 homes, where the power station caretakers live. Finding a resident, we asked where the
The Hagerman Horse 1
The bones of the Hagerman horse. Discovered in a very dense collecton of bones that is world wide unique, the Hagerman horse and associated finds are helping to understand the climate and cinditions and how they changed. Someday we may understand the events that led to the extinction of the North American horse. Fossil Beds were and were told, as he pointed in the direction from which we came, there were overlooks up the road. Setting off again we drove back to the main road and turned right and found Overlook Number 4, about 7.5 miles from town, the Snake River Overlook. It has a boardwalk, is wheelchair accessible and signs warn you to not step off the boardwalk. It overlooks the Snake River and the bluffs across the river rise to 600 feet.
There are interpretive exhibits to read and explain what you are looking at when viewing the bluffs with the various layers of strata.. The area is arid, hot and no amenities are available so bring you own food and drink. I was rather disappointed since you are up above what we could figure out the actual dig site. You can see the river, look across the Snake River at other side but no where could you find evidence of a fossil digs. We think Lola brought us to the actual, non-public entrance to the fossil beds after all.
Up the road is Overlook Number 5, 10.3 miles from town, and is the Oregon Trail Overlook pull off.
The Hagerman Horse 3
The Hagerman horse is essentially a modern horse that became extinct in North America about the time of the arrival of the first humans. It was a time of great climate changes. Which contributed most to the extinction of the horse? It does afford a great view of the wagon tracks forged so many years ago and one can only imagine what went through the pioneer’s minds when they saw this arid country. It was an adventure, looking at the various scenery, plants and soaring birds, that I enjoyed. The pioneers were looking yet to another mile of hot dusty unforgiving territory. I could use the porta potty and jump back into the Jeep and head the 10 miles to town to enjoy a cold beverage or a fast meal They could walk until near dark, set camp and cook a pot full of beans or perhaps the remains of some game killed farther back on the trail. The Snake River was nearby but water would still be rationed and bathing would be out of the question.
This outlook affords two trails. A short one and a not so short one. Both afford good views and descriptive signs along the way. Wear good shoes because the trails are sandy, rocky gravel. Stay on the trails and beware of snakes, scorpions and the like.
If you continue down the road to it’s end you come to a hiking trail. Be
Hagerman Prarie Grass
Wild grasses eke out an existance in the harsh climate in the remote valleys that surround the Snake River and the Hagerman Beds. cautious. There is no assistance should you get lost, sick or run out of water. Roadside parking is risky. You can’t pull to far off the road because the shoulders are soft and there are many large trucks traveling the road.
All in all, I must say I was not too impressed with the fossil beds. The only way you tell you were at the beds were the placards. You go expecting to find evidence of the dig site, perhaps a glimpse of a partially unearthed find, but what you get is an overlook view of the Snake River, a plateau across the river with it’s various strata layers and not much else.
If you are an pioneer history and Oregon Trail buff then you will thoroughly enjoy the experience. You can see miles and miles of wagon trail ruts rambling up and over the hillsides before you. With a little imagination you can see a oxen drawn canvas-covered wagon with a family on its way to the fertile lands beyond the horizon.
To rate this experience I would place the Hagerman Fossil Beds at 6.
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