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Fossil Beds Spring Club Drive – Colorado Springs – June 21, 2025

For our second club tour of 2025 we will meet up in Colorado Springs and drive out to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Our day will begin at Audi Colorado Springs - 550 Automotive Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80905. Participants in the tour should arrive by 09:30AM. There will be a mandatory driver’s meeting at 10:00AM and the plan is to leave by 10:30AM.

We'll cruise west on HWY 24 passing through Manitou Springs, Cascade Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls and in view of the majestic Pikes Peak for a good part of the drive. Upon arrival at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, we will gather and socialize as a group. Lunch is not provided so we recommend that everyone bring their own lunch, snacks and/or refreshments. The drive will officially end at this location. Participants are free to stay afterwards and explore the monument on their own ($10 per car).

About Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument was set aside to protect one of the richest fossil deposits in the world. It was established in 1969. Massive, petrified tree stumps of redwood trees. Several of these are located behind the Visitor Center, and along 1-mile and 1/2-mile self-guided trails. Detailed fossils of insects, leaves, seeds, fish, and a few mammals and birds. Most are still buried underground, not visible from the trail, as they are easily destroyed by weathering. Excavated specimens are best seen in the Visitor Center exhibits. There are 15 miles of hiking trails and an 1878 historic homestead.

Total tour time is estimated at 2 hours and ~50 miles (1.5 hours of drive time).

Schedule

Meet at Audi Colorado Springs at 09:30am on Sat. June 21st
Mingle with club members for ½ hour, Chris Holt will talk to group for a few minutes, read the rules and head out by 10:30am
Drive goes to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, out Hwy 24
Participants are free to stay afterwards and explore the monument on their own ($10 per car). Bringing something for lunch is suggested, and we can hang out in the parking lot for a group lunch when we arrive, around 12:30pm
Most direct way back to town is Hwy 24. To Denverites, may we suggest Hwy 105 north as an alternative to I-25.

Our starting location is Audi Colorado Springs:
550 Automotive Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Our ending location is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument:
15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO 80816

Please have your car gassed up, drinks, snacks, and restroom break completed so we can leave at 10:30AM. There will be restrooms at our starting location, Audi Colorado Springs and at the National Monument. A map will be provided of the route if desired.

You do not have to be an Audi Club member to participate. So, invite your friends!