Shoofly Sand Pit (Fossils): Geologic Field Trip
Schedule
Sat, 07 Mar, 2026 at 09:45 pm
UTC-07:00Location
McDonald's (Boise, ID) | Boise, ID
This is a new field trip to a sand pit near Shoofly in Owyhee County that contains small fossils and petrified wood from ancient Lake Idaho.Join Steve Schaps for a brand new geologic field trip to the Shoofly Sand Pit located about 70 miles from Boise. The sand pit contains abundant small fossils from Lake Idaho deposits, petrified wood and odd sandstone sculptures that you collect off the surface just by walking around.
The sand pit is a public site located 4 miles west of the Shoofly Oolites, so you could visit the Oolites after the trip if you wanted to go on your own. The IMMG also has an archeologist shaker table that people can use as a group to sift sand for fossils (kids love doing this).
MEETING LOCATION: We will meet at the Albertsons Parking Lot on Hwy 21 and Federal Way at 9:45 am (near McDonalds). Steve will arrange carpools at this location; the roads are paved except for the last 1.7 miles which is a good-quality dirt road suitable for most (but not all) vehicles. We will return to the carpool location at ~3 pm.
This is a new trip so even if you have done the Shoofly Oolite trip before, this new trip offers a different opportunity to find fossils and petrified wood and visit a new geologic site.
No dogs please. Bring lunch and beverages and dress for the weather. We will never be more than 500 feet away from the vehicles.
This trip and all of our 5-6 different field trips are FREE for museum members and children so please join or renew your membership for 2026. www.idahomuseum.org/membership
Pre-registration required for this event.
Contact: [email protected] with any questions.
We seldom cancel in winter, but if we do, we need a functioning email from you. The one you used to register on Eventbrite will be used. A full refund is given if the Museum cancels the field trip.
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About Steve Schaps: Steve has a BS and MS in Geosciences and an MBA in finance. He has previously led numerous group trips to the Oolite Shoals and many to the fascinating Bruneau area. Steve is a member of the IMMG and an informed and motivated guide for interesting geologic sites near Boise.
This Geologic Field Trip is sponsored by the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd, next to the Old Pen in East Boise.
This adventure requires a waiver. By signing up for this Geologic Field trip you agree to the following: The registered individual accepts and does hereby assume any and all risks for himself and those on his ticket, for possible dangers and hazards involved in connection with the field trip designated above, offered by the IDAHO MUSEUM OF MINING AND GEOLOGY (IMMG), and does hereby SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS the trip leader(s), IMMG and all officers and representatives of IMMG from any and all claims, losses, or damages, including attorney’s fees and costs because of said claims, on account of injury, death, property damage, and inconvenience or loss of money due to delay or other cause that may rise, by reason of my participation in the field trip. I understand that my use of alcohol or drugs would impair my judgment and coordination, and will hold IMMG harmless from any claims arising from my use of either. I understand I am responsible for carrying my own automobile, life, and health insurance.
www.idahomuseum.org
Where is it happening?
McDonald's (Boise, ID), 6574 S Federal Way, Boise, ID 83716-9277, United States
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