Fossil Hunt: Walk Back In Time to the Carboniferous
Details
This a great activity for kids of all ages!
I know a spot along the Youghiogheny River in Connellsville where you can find plant fossils from the Carboniferous (Mississippian/Pennsylvanian) period during the Paleozoic Era which was about 263 million years ago.
The fossil site is a short walk, about a mile from Yough River Park in Connellsville along the GAP Trail.
A little bit further down the trail there is a River Deck, an old railroad bridge that they decked half way across.
Some useful items to bring are:
SAFETY GLASSES, hammers, chisels, screwdrivers, scrapers, brushes; sturdy bags to carry rocks; rags or newspaper to separate the fossils so they are not damaged during transportation.
I have some of these items to share. Bring what you have.
There are pavilions at the park that are likely to be available that day. In any case bring a picnic and enjoy the day. Fishing, biking and other river trail activities are all possible.
Walk starts at the Yough River Park, which is the first right after you cross the Yough River in Connellsville on Route 119 South.