U-Dig Trilobite Quarry

The U-Dig Fossil Quarry in Millard County is an amazing private owned quarry that is absolutely lousy with trilobites. Seriously. They all but guarantee you will not leave without finding at least one. So I was really hopeful that I would actually find my very first fossil in the wild (that I could keep). Well, I not only did that, but over, and over, and over again. Between the 2 of us we probably found a good 50+ specimens! It was incredible. I honestly felt like a little kid kid every time I cracked open a rock and saw another trilobite. This was seriously just good, clean er dirty fun!

This was a little bit longer of a drive than I would have liked for a day trip, but we really had a blast so it was worth it. This has been on my radar for a couple years now, and I kept thinking about maybe tacking it on to the end of other trips we have taken, but it just never happened. During the Memorial Day Weekend, I am always thinking of places that are a little off the beaten path see The Spiral Jetty, so I thought this would be just about perfect. It really was! we had so much fun, plus the longer drive was actually fairly pretty.

A pair of trilobites we found.

The quarry.

Quick Details:

Length: NA
Difficulty: Very rocky, wear good shoes.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: They have 2 porta-pottys on site with sanitizer.
Dogs? Yes, they are allowed, bring extra water for them. But, I wouldn’t bring them. You will be paying attention to the rocks and they could get hurt.
Other Info: Bring plenty of water and appropriate clothing for desert conditions. I missed that they recommend to bring gloves, and I can’t suggest that enough! We both have a few blisters and cuts. Also, be sure to plan to arrive before 4:00 PM. The sign states if they have no visitors by that time they will close for the day. More info at their website (external link).
Fee Area: $28.00 per adult for 2 hours. As well as longer options (honestly 2 is plenty of time). I didn’t notice on the website, but it was a pleasant surprise that Utah residents get 20% off! Woot!

To Get Here:

From SLC, it is approximately 130 miles to Delta. Take i-15 to exit 228 in Nephi and follow that to SR132, turn right. Or take exit 225 which is SR132. Follow SR132 until it connects with HW6 Turn left and continue on to Delta. When you are in delta you will reach a stop sign where you must go left or right. This is HW6/50, follow 6/50 for 32 miles. Between mile marker 56 and 57 you will see a turn off on the right. There will be a U-Dig sign here. (Google maps will suggest you take the dirt road about 12 miles down the road, it might get you there, but I don’t know what the condition of the road is. When I called they suggested I follow the directions on the website). The last 20 miles is a well maintained dirt road. I was a little worried about it, but we didn’t have any issues on it.

Scenic Drive Details:

Length: 182 Miles one way.
Time Needed: 3.5 hours one way, 7 round trip.
Road Conditions: Paved for 162 miles. Well graded dirt road for 20 miles.
Summit: There was one summit on SR132 but it wasn’t bad, and it didn’t say how high it was.
Restrooms: Gas stations all along I15, in Nephi, Delta, and finally at the quarry.
Interesting Things: The Quarry of course, and we also saw some neat old Charcoal Furnaces. Other nearby sites we did not explore: Topaz Mountain, Little Sahara, Great Basin National Park.
Other Info: Delta is the pretty much the last sign of civilization. Stop here for gas, food, or anything else you might need.

The Drive:

If you would like to skip the drive by photos, you can skip to the quarry here.

Utah Lake is a lovely shade of green today (DBP).

Mona Reservoir (DBP). This is behind the Young Living Lavender Farm. One day I want to visit it while it is in full bloom.

Still some snow on the higher peaks (DBP).

After exiting I15 and going through Nephi (DBP). SR 132 and the little pass you go over.

Cows, lots and lots of cows (DBP).

After reaching the summit (DBP).

Neat looking peak (DBP).

Quick glimpse of the Sevier River (pronounced severe, go Utah (DBP)). I just leaned this is the longest river that is entirely in Utah. Neat.

Random cement factory (DBP). This one is a little different as the chute goes across the highway.

Another cool peak (DBP).

Sevier River again (DBP).

This shot is just awful, but we got a better view on the way back. Some old Charcoal Furnaces (DBP). These were actually pretty neat and you can see more about them here.

Old barn with some amazing flowers in front (DBP).

Now we are on HW6 and there is an old out of business gas station here (DBP).

There is seriously, a whole lot of nothing out this way (DBP). It’s a little nerve wrecking.

We made it to Delta (DBP).

After Delta there is a whole lot of nothing (DBP).

Starting to see some desert (DBP).

Some antelopes (DBP).

Pretty clouds (DBP).

Sevier Lake (DBP). From what I have read this is now an intermittent lake due to how much water is taken from the river. It is also a terminal lake, meaning it has no outlet other than evaporation. Similar to The Great Salt Lake. Also similar to the GSL it is a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville.

Not long after seeing Sevier Lake, and between mile markers 56 and 57 you will see the turnoff for the quarry. If you hit mile marker 56 you went to far.

There is a big sign for the quarry so you know you took the right turn.

A little closer (DBP). We were pushing really close to arrive by 4, but we did make it.

See, the dirt road is really well graded (DBP) particularly the beginning section. Not nearly as rough as the road out to Fantasy Canyon was. We actually managed to maintain a pretty decent speed in our little SUV. The website says any car can make it, and we did indeed see little sedans, minivans, etc. just take your time, and it is always a good idea to have a spare and jack on hand when traveling on any dirt road.

Cloud shadows (DBP).

There is seriously just nothing out here (DBP).

Even though the road was in good shape, as is usual on dirt road out in the middle of nowhere I just had a big ball of nerves weighing like a bowling ball in my gut. However we didn’t have an issue at all.

From what I can tell this is Long Ridge Reservoir (DBP).

An American avocet (DBP). Nice little surprise to see out here. I have seen a lot of these in the Lee Creek area near Salt Lake.

The reservoir again (DBP).

This section of the road is a little rougher, but there is a sign warning you to slow down due to it being a little windy.

Heading towards the mountains (DBP).

The dust we are whipping up (DBP).

Neat looking mountain (DBP).

Once you hit the mountains the road gets a little rougher again, but still not too bad (DBP). And there is another sign warning you to slow down.

20 miles later, we made it (DBP). Finally the ball of nerves settled down.

The last short leg into the parking lot is a little thinner, but it’s short and we didn’t have any passing traffic (DBP).

The Quarry

There is a pretty great view from the parking lot.

We made it! We are at the quarry. The website mentioned a visitor center and I didn’t expect much, but yea, this is just a little shack!

Also, the parking lot was full, but it is small. So my off the beaten path idea was definitely a good choice today!

Pretty scenery out here as well.

Little bit of dirt piled up on the car.

We paid our fee, and got the nice surprise of the Utah local discount. Wewt! Signed the waiver, seriously they need that. A quarry is well, a little dangerous. loose rocks to walk over, rock falls, sharp rocks etc. We had a couple minor injuries, but nothing too crazy. We got a short little spiel about the different species of trilobites, the fact that loose ones are worth a little less than embedded ones (that kind of surprised me as I think the loose ones are more interesting). He also told us that they know the fossils are not found above or below a certain level. Then they handed us a bucket and a rock ax.

While we were waiting a woman came up with a spectacular specimen to be cut. This thing had to be at least 2.5 inches and looked to be one of the more rare types. I, as an amateur, was impressed. The employee who is pretty darn knowledgeable was also impressed so wow. She found a good one!

Into the quarry we go! They said the best spot is where the guy 2nd to the right is standing, the guy on the right is above it.

Side note, we actually found quite a few at this level. We just kept following the fossils up and well, the best specimens we found were up here.

Little private pit filled with a pretty shade of water. Not sure if this is a well, or a hot spring, or what.

The main quarry is just past the little pond area.

Almost immediately, Landis found a couple partial loose ones!

Not long after I found my first find. A kind of big group of itty bitty ones, I split a rock and had a positive and negative mold.

Yep. I was totally reverted back to 10 years old. Every time I split a rock and found an actual fossil I squealed with delight. This is AMAZING!

My 2nd find a partial positive and negative.

This was Landis’s find of the day! Wow!

Not long after I found my find of the day! All three were about 1 3/8 inches.

Shortly after we found out biggest find of the day! 1 6/8 inches! I forget which one of us found this one, but it was probably Landis as he was having particular luck finding them today.

The quarry. Lots of rocks to shift through.

Towards the end of our 2 hours I decided to get some shots of the surrounding area.

It is tough work digging for fossils!

So, something they do not mention on the website or at the visitor center, is that if you fill the bucket they provide, it’s going to be quite heavy. It took quite a bit bit of work to get the buckets back to the car.

Heading out of the quarry.

Pretty peaks.

Here is what you dig through to find them we had a good shady spot for most of the time.

The quarry.

The private pit again. The water has a pretty color.

My favorite find of the day.

A couple of the loose ones we found.

Interesting thing I learned today: A loose trilobite is worth less than one that is the same size and condition, but is still embedded in the rock.

Some more.

Car full of rocks. So, another thing that I failed on that they do suggest is to bring a box to bring your rocks home in. They don’t let you keep the bucket.

Us with our favorite finds of the day, Landis found a double! Did I mention he was having better luck than me? Cause he totally was.

They will also cut a couple of your stones for you down to a more manageable size. They mentioned some people have destroyed their fossils because they didn’t want to lug a big rock back and they were trying to split it instead. Unfortunately, since it was the end of the day, they ran out of gas and we only got these, our 2 favorites cut. But I’m not upset about that. We got our display pieces, and I am sure I can find somewhere to cut any others I might want.

All three of these were about 1 3/8ths inches.

This is our biggest find of the day at about 1 6/8th inches. But I need to see what I can do to clean this one up a bit.

I saw a lady who had found a much bigger specimen as well. Your luck may vary.

View from the parking lot again.

Well, that was absolutely incredible! However we got our 2 hours and it was time to head on home.

The long drive back.

Sevier Lake (DBP).

The mountains up here are kind of neat (DBP).

Sevier Lake again (DBP). You can see a little bit of water in it.

The dirt road (DBP).

Is that a horse (DBP)?

It is a horse (DBP). So, there is some fencing back here and a few cattle guards but I haven't seen any livestock. So, I’m not 100% sure, but this might be my first wild mustang sighting! Neat!

The road again (DBP).

More neat peaks (DBP).

Watch out for a couple of these dips along the road (DBP).

Sevier Lake again (DBP). Actually it looks like there is quite a bit of water in it right now.

Back to paved roads (BDP) Phew! We made it!

Nasty looking storm off in the distance (DBP). Luckily we are heading the other way.

Delta is still a tiny town, but it is certainly bigger than I thought it would be (DBP).

We stopped here for dinner. There are a couple fast food options as well as quite a few diners.

.

The Sevier River (DBP).

There is some sunshine and fluffy clouds beyond the dark storm clouds (DBP).

The Sevier River again (DBP). Landis mentioned that this must be a very windy river as we crossed it like 5 times It is pretty windy, but we also changed directions a couple times.

I liked that notched peak (DBP).

Blue skies just on the other side of the canyon.

On the way in, I saw the Historic Site Ahead sign, but by the time I did we had missed the pull out (DBP). So instead of making Landis turn around I decided to just make a note of where it was and try again on the way back. So, this is just East of Leamington. There is a pull out on both sides of the road. I decided to make it it’s own post so you can see more about them here: Morrison Charcoal Ovens.

The cement factory again (DBP).

This has got to be the first time I have seen a railroad crossing on such a high speed highway (DBP). o.O  There are additional warning lights that I didn’t catch in time, but still. Yikes.

Peaks in the distance (DBP).

Nephi is a little bigger than I thought as well (DBP). Before now, we’ve never been further than the first gas station off the freeway into it.

Phew! Back to familiar territory!

Well, like I said this was a little longer than I would like to go for a day trip. We spent a lot more time in the car than we did adventuring. That aside, holy crap that was an amazing experience! I like going to the fossil stores and picking out some fossils to add to my collection, but there is just something absolutely special to find them yourself. Even if it’s a spot that there are just tons of them. Like I said, I felt like a little kid every time I split open a rock and found another one. I am going to remember this for a very long time, and well, having some great display pieces is certainly going to help.

On Memorial Day Weekend, there were maybe 10 cars when we arrived, and we were the last out of the quarry. so it was definitely a good option for today! Plus, the drive between Nephi and almost Delta is rather pretty. Then the final dirt road it gets pretty again. 10 out of 10 squirrels today. It was just incredible.

As for difficulty, I mentioned it loose sharp rocks you have to walk over to get the the pockets, but it’s not too bad. Just wear good shoes. DR3.

Dogs are technically allowed, but honestly, I wouldn’t bring them along. It’s a little dangerous, plus you are going to be looking for fossils. Poor little Fido probably won’t have a great time. I truly recommend leaving Fido at home if possible.