West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway: Hiking Guide to Ouray's Famous Sauropod Tracks

Perched at about 9,300 feet above the town of Ouray, Colorado, a bare sandstone shelf holds one of the most remarkable fossil sites in North America. The West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway preserves 134 consecutive footprints left by a single long-necked sauropod roughly 150 million years ago. Midway through its walk, the animal made a tight turn and crossed its own path, leaving a looping trail of footprints you can see from the trail itself.

For decades, local hikers stumbled across the shallow, pothole-like depressions without knowing what they were. Today the site is protected public land in the Uncompahgre National Forest, and it is reachable on a steep but very doable day hike. This guide covers which trail you need, exactly how to hike it, the detailed specs of the site, and everything you should know before you go.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Site name	West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway (also called the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Tracksite)
Location	West of Ouray, Colorado, in the San Juan Mountains
Trail needed	Silvershield Trail (National Forest System Trail #199)
Trailhead	Silvershield Trailhead at the end of Oak Street, Ouray
Trailhead coordinates	38.03943, -107.68218
Round-trip distance	About 4 to 4.2 miles
One-way distance	About 2 to 2.1 miles
Trailhead elevation	About 7,620 to 7,660 feet
Trackway elevation	About 9,300 feet
Elevation gain	About 1,600 to 1,660 feet
Difficulty	Moderate to strenuous
Hiking time	About 3 hours round trip
Fee	None
Dogs	Allowed
Restrooms	None

Distances and elevation numbers vary slightly between sources because GPS tracks differ, so treat them as close approximations.

Which Trail Do You Need?

The only trail you need is the Silvershield Trail, also known as National Forest System Trail #199. The tracks sit near the upper end of this trail, and the Forest Service purchase in 2024 specifically secured public access along it.

Partway up, you will reach a junction with the Oak Creek Trail. You do not need that trail. Follow the signs and take the left fork to stay on Silvershield. That one turn is the only real navigation decision on the whole hike.

How to Get to the Silvershield Trailhead

The trailhead is on the west side of Ouray, a short drive from the main street.

1. From downtown Ouray, drive west on 7th Avenue.
2. At the end of the road, turn right onto Oak Street.
3. Drive about 1.2 miles and watch for a small street sign for the Silver Shield Trail.
4. Turn left, and the parking area is straight ahead.

You can also type "Silvershield Trailhead" into your phone's map app. The lot is small, so an early start helps you find a spot and beat the heat.

Trail Directions: How to Hike to the Dinosaur Tracks

From the parking lot you will be staring up at the steep eastern slopes of Whitehouse Mountain, and it can look intimidating. The trail climbs right away, and the first mile is the steepest. The good news is that the grade eases after the Oak Creek junction, and there are plenty of logs and benches for rest stops.

Step-by-Step Route

1. Mile 0.0: Trailhead. Begin climbing immediately. Within minutes, views of the Ouray valley open up behind you.
2. About mile 0.3: Gold Hill overlook. You will find a bench, a memorial, and a plaque about local mining history. Across the valley you can spot old mining buildings and shafts on Gold Hill. By this point you have already climbed over 300 feet.
3. About mile 1.1: Oak Creek Trail junction. Take the left fork to stay on the Silvershield Trail. You have gained roughly 1,000 feet, and the trail becomes noticeably gentler.
4. About mile 1.6 to 1.7: Old miner's cabin. You will pass the remains of a log cabin near the Rock of the Ages Mine. Beyond it, the trail follows the edge of a steep drop-off, so slow down and watch your footing.
5. About mile 2.1: The trackway. The trail arrives right at the apex of the dinosaur's tight turn. From here you can follow the footprints in both directions across the sandstone.
6. Optional: the overlook. About 150 yards past the tracks, a viewpoint looks out over the surrounding peaks, the Million Dollar Highway, and the Camp Bird Road valley.

The hike is an out-and-back, so you return the way you came. The descent is easier on your lungs but harder on your knees, and a few patches of loose scree can make the footing slippery. Trekking poles are a good idea.

Direction of the Tracks Themselves

Once you reach the site, it helps to know how the dinosaur traveled. The trackway starts heading north-northeast, makes a sharp counter-clockwise turn at its northern point, then continues in a gentle left curve. It crosses its own path and finally heads east-northeast. Walking the line of prints from start to finish gives you a real feel for the animal's route.

Detailed Site Specifications

The Trackway

• Number of footprints: 134 consecutive tracks with none missing from the sequence. That is the highest count of continuously preserved tracks known from any sauropod trackway.
• Length: About 106 yards (96.3 meters, or 316 feet) measured along the path of travel.
• The turn: The Forest Service and news reports describe a roughly 270-degree turn. A later technical analysis describes the loop as 325 degrees, depending on how the turn is measured. Either way, a turn this sharp is rare in the dinosaur fossil record.
• Type of prints: Hind-foot impressions only. The smaller front-foot prints were most likely overprinted by the hind feet.
• Print size: The better-defined tracks measure about 30 cm (12 inches) long and 26 cm (10 inches) wide, which suggests a relatively small sauropod.
• Print depth: Roughly 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) deep, which tells scientists the mud was saturated, or even under shallow water, when the animal walked through.
• Gait: Wide-gauged and irregular, with short and long steps alternating. In places, the long steps are about 47 percent longer than the short ones, possibly because the animal struggled with soft ground.
• Trackmaker: The exact species is unknown. The track width falls between the two main sauropod track types, and the missing front prints make a firm match impossible.

The Rock

• Surface: The tracks are preserved on top of a hard sandstone layer about 5 meters (16 feet) thick, locally called the "Lower Quartzite."
• Geologic formation: Most likely the Bluff Formation (Junction Creek Member), though earlier studies placed it in the Morrison Formation.
• Age: Late Jurassic, probably the Oxfordian age, making the tracks more than 150 million years old.
• Ripple marks: Wave-formed ripples visible beside the tracks formed before the dinosaur walked across the surface.
• Glacier marks: Ice-age glaciers polished the rock, left scratches, and likely destroyed some of the tracks.
• Elevation: About 9,300 feet (2,835 meters). The tracks were made near sea level long before the Rocky Mountains rose, which makes this a rare high-altitude dinosaur site.
• Extra prints: Two or three similar tracks sit about 1.1 miles away near the American Nettie Mine, on the same rock surface.

The Story Behind the Tracks

The tracks were first noticed by Ouray local Rick Trujillo, who found the strange depressions as a youngster in 1958, when they were mostly covered in moss. Over the years, hikers and locals cleaned parts of the surface, and photos eventually appeared online. The individual prints even became visible in satellite imagery.

The land was originally a set of mining claims bought by the Charles family in 1945, who hoped to find gold. The family camped there for decades without realizing the pothole-like features were dinosaur footprints. After Trujillo, who later became a geologist, explained their importance, the family allowed scientific fieldwork in 2020. That work led to the first formal description of the site in 2021.

In April 2024, the U.S. Forest Service acquired three parcels totaling about 27 acres, including the trackway, so the site could be protected and enjoyed by the public. A more detailed analysis of the trackway followed in 2025.

Best Time to Hike to the Dinosaur Tracks

The hike is usually best from late spring through early fall, when the trail is clear of snow. At more than 9,000 feet, however, snow and ice can linger into spring and return early in the fall. The exposed sections of the trail become much riskier when slick, so check conditions with the Ouray Ranger District or recent trail reports before heading out in shoulder seasons.

For the best experience, start in the early morning. The lower part of the trail is exposed to the sun once it rises above the mountains east of town, and mornings are cooler and quieter. Low-angle morning or late-afternoon light also makes the footprints easier to see. After rain, the prints often hold water, which makes them stand out even more.

Tips for Visiting the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway

• Pack plenty of water. There is no reliable water source on the trail, no restrooms, and no fee station. Bring extra for dogs.
• Wear good footwear. The trail is steep and has a few loose, scree-covered patches.
• Take it slow. The climb is the main challenge. Rest on the logs and benches along the way.
• Watch your step near drop-offs. Some sections have exposure to steep slopes, particularly past the miner's cabin.
• Watch for poison ivy. Small patches appear along the trail edge above the Oak Creek junction, but they are easy to avoid.
• Respect the site. Stay on the trail where possible, pack out everything you bring, and leave the fossils untouched. No rubbings, casts, or souvenirs.
• Plan a reward. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a classic way to soothe tired legs after the hike.

What to Do Nearby

Ouray is often called the "Switzerland of America," and the area has plenty to fill out a trip. Soak in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, walk to Box Canyon Falls, drive part of the scenic Million Dollar Highway, or explore the backcountry along Camp Bird Road. In winter, the Ouray Ice Park draws climbers from around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway?

It is located just west of Ouray, Colorado, in the Uncompahgre National Forest. You reach it by hiking the Silvershield Trail (#199) from the Silvershield Trailhead on Oak Street.

How long is the hike to the dinosaur tracks?

The tracks are about 2 to 2.1 miles from the trailhead, making the hike roughly 4 to 4.2 miles round trip. Most hikers need about 3 hours.

How hard is the hike?

It is rated moderate to strenuous. The trail gains about 1,600 feet in just over 2 miles, and the steepest section is the first mile. The trail is well defined, and there are places to rest along the way.

Which trail do I take to see the dinosaur tracks?

Take the Silvershield Trail (National Forest System Trail #199). At the Oak Creek Trail junction, about 1.1 miles in, take the left fork to stay on Silvershield.

How many footprints are in the trackway?

There are 134 consecutive footprints stretching about 106 yards. It is recognized as the longest known continuous sauropod trackway in the world by footprint count.

How old are the dinosaur tracks?

They are more than 150 million years old, dating to the Late Jurassic period.

What kind of dinosaur made the tracks?

A single long-necked sauropod made them. Scientists do not know the exact species, because the front-foot prints are missing and the track width falls between the two common sauropod track types.

Why do the tracks make a loop?

Scientists do not know why the animal turned so sharply. The trackway describes a loop of roughly 270 to 325 degrees, depending on how it is measured, and crosses its own path. The reason for the turn is still a mystery.

Is there a fee to visit the trackway?

No. There is no fee to park at the trailhead or to visit the site.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are allowed. Carry enough water for them, since a small stream just past the tracks is not guaranteed to be flowing.

Are there restrooms at the trailhead or the site?

No. Plan accordingly before you start the hike.

Can I touch or take rubbings of the tracks?

Please do not. These fossils are irreplaceable and now protected for research and future visitors. Look, photograph, and leave them exactly as you found them.

Final Thoughts

The West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway is one of those rare places where you can stand in the footsteps of a creature that lived 150 million years ago, and watch the path it took across ancient mud. The climb takes effort, but the views over Ouray and the reward at the top make it one of the best hikes in the San Juan Mountains. Start early, pack water, take your time, and give the tracks the respect they deserve.