Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
This national monument is famous for its abundant insect and flower fossil beds which are one of the richest in the world. In total there have been over 1500 kinds of insects and plant life found fossilized here. The second draw is the giant petrified redwood stumps. Both of these are the result of the now extinct Thirtynine Mile Volcanic Field.
There are a number of small loops to hike around the monument. Since most of it was snow covered we only did the petrified forest loop (Trail Map).
"The Big Stump" stands 12 feet tall and 38 feet around.
This is a broken saw blade from an early attempt to relocate the stump in pieces.
