THE LAND BEFORE TIME TOUR

$175

Cochise County with its 48 registered paleontological sites has become one of the nation's most important sources of prehistoric information. In addition to its 48 registered sites, there are many more known sites in Cochise County which have yet to be fully excavated.  

Arizona, as a result of its geologic history extending over hundreds of millions of years is now literally a hotbed of paleontological information with frequent new findings. Every wash, every new road cut, every new tunnel, every new housing development and every other incursion into our earth's crust has the potential for new finds. 

This tour begins with the Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site along the San Pedro River near Sierra Vista, Arizona.   In 1952, Ed Lehner discovered extinct mammoth bone fragments on his ranch, at the locality now known as the Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site. He notified the Arizona State Museum, and a summer of heavy rains in 1955 exposed more bones. Excavations, led by William W. Wasley and Emil Haury, took place in 1955–56, and again in 1974–75. In the initial effort, thirteen fluted projective points. with 2 damaged, and 8 stone tools were found as well as 9 mammoth remains, one bison, a horse, and a tapir.   The site is significant for its association with evidence that mammoths were killed there by native Americans existing 11,000 to 12,000 years ago. The site has not been fully excavated, and each monsoon season harbors the potential for new discoveries.  The tour guide will more fully describe the history of the site and point out the areas in which more artifacts may be found. If you're into conspiracies, your curiosity will be piqued by the story of how the above artifacts simply disappeared from the repository in Tucson. Please note that it is illegal to remove artifacts from any legally protected site such as this.

The next site is approximately 80 miles to the North near the small town of Cascabel.  There, the tour proceeds three miles up a sandy wash to a rock ledge which bears the footprints of a herd of brontotheres,  rhino like creatures which existed 33.9 million years ago.  These footprints are very well preserved and, in addition to the educational value, provide great photo opportunities for young children to walk in the footsteps of a giant extinct beast.  (Though old, these animals, also known as thunder beasts due to their large size, were mammals, not like dinosaurs which were reptiles) 

Throughout the motorized portion of the tour, the tour guide will point out the many other places in which fossil specimens have been found in Cochise County and the history of each.

As an added bonus, the tour will stop at the movie set town of Gammons Gulch which has hosted over 65 film productions.   Spanning 10 acres, this meticulously crafted Old West town offers a glimpse into the bygone era of cowboys, gunslingers, and saloons. The property features 17 historic buildings relocated from various ghost towns 

As the tour passes through Benson on the way back, the tour will stop at R & R Pizza for its daily salad / pizza buffet. Lunch is on your own and not included in the tour.

The final stop is the Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology in Sierra Vista where the curator, a paleontologist will give a hands-on tour of the various fossil specimens which he has accumulated.  

This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date.  Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour dated. The tour commences at 7:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 - 9 hours.  

Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required.  Sunscreen and gloves are recommended.  This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.

Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.  

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Please review the following statement of prohibited conduct / release of liability that each tour / hike participant agrees to as a condition of participation in this tour / hike.