About Fossil Creek:Hiking: # 98 Upper Trail

Distance : 2.5 miles - 1320 feet elevation change

Hiking Time: 1-1/2 hours in 2-1/2 hour out (uphill climb)

Difficulty: Moderate

Signed : Yes

Marked trailhead: Yes

Season of use: Spring , summer and fall

Trail condition: Most of it good

Access roads: good

Use restrictions: No motorized or mechanical equipment including trail bikes

This trail is a steep, dusty old jeep road trail down past an old gravel pit. There is a lot of loose rock on this part of the trail making it easier to go down than the return climb out. The trail then turns south and goes a half a mile to the springs. From here you can discover the little Shangri La where you can swim, picnic, study fossils, or explore the waters of travertine pools along the creek.

The millions gallons of 72F water that gush from the springs every hour have created a lush environment which supports over 30 types of trees and bushes and over 100 species of birds. The canyon walls near the springs contain small fossils from an ancient sea that washed over the area 350 million years ago.