Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

ESCONI Field Trip: Behind the Scenes at the Burpee Museum

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Burpee Museum in Rockford, IL on Saturday Nov 10 starting at 11 AM.  This will be a guided, behind-the-scenes tour of collections and preparation. The trip is open to families and is limited to 25 total.  There is for members only and there is no cost.  Registration is required by sending an email to Dave Carlson at fossil54@att.net.  You will receive a response within 24 hours. If you don't hear back in that time, send it again!  Be sure to include the total number of members attending in your email.

 

ESCONI Field Trip: Sunday, October 7th, 2018 to the Airport Quarry in Rockford, IL 10 AM to 1 PM

There will be a joint field trip with the Rock River Valley Gem & Mineral Society RRVGMS on October 7th, 2018. There is room 15 ESCONI members.  The trip will be from 10 AM to 1 PM.  There is no age limit.  You will need to be a member of ESCONI or RRVGMS.  Hard hats are required!  You will need to complete an ESCONI field trip form which will be provided on site.

 

Note: this is a sand and gravel quarry, not the usual hard rock quarry in Rockford.  There are fossils, but they come from the glacial till.  So, if you are in the mood for a general rock collecting trip, this is for you!

 

Please email Duane and Therese Cushing at tcdc78@comcast.net to reserve a spot.  Happy rock hounding!

 

 

ESCONI Field Trip: Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9th, 2018 to Braceville for Mazon Creek Fossils

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for September 8 and 9, 2018 from 8 AM to 2 PM. You can attend either or both days. There is an attendance limit of 40 people each day.

1. Families are welcome, but the minimum age is 5 years old. Children must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian. Registration ends at midnight September 5th.
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than September 5th. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to sign-in at the collecting site. By signing, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that sign up). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. You’re going to be digging in dirt and mud – dress accordingly! You may want to bring a shovel, pickaxe, trowel, or hammer. Use only a rock hammer, not a claw hammer or roofing hammer. If you decide to hammer on something, use eye protection. There may also be insects and poison ivy. Hard hats are not required. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. Gloves are strongly recommended. The collecting site is an old spoil pile on private property. There may be old rusty tools or other iron pieces embedded in the pile. Sliding down the hill could be very painful.
5. The top of the pile is unstable and not safe to stand on. Do not go above the flags/caution tape markers. Anyone found above the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
6. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name, the number of members attending and the day you are attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net

Meet at 8 AM at the entrance to the collecting site on S Berta Road, just east of the intersection with Division St (Braceville IL). A nearby landmark for driving directions is the Braceville Gardner Cemetery, 7295 East Braceville Road, Braceville. I can send a small map to anyone that needs it.

 

Braceville Field Trip Report for Spring 2018

it started out rainy and fairly cold (46 degrees), but the day turned out nice.  There were many concretions found.  Hopefully, they will prove to be more than just potentially fossil bearing.  The world has turned very green recently!

 

ESCONI Field Trip: Saturday, May 12th and Sunday, May 13th, 2018 to Braceville for Mazon Creek Fossils

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for May 12 and 13, 2018 from 8 AM to 2 PM. You can attend either or both days.

1. There is no age limit – families are welcome! Children must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian.

2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.

3. You will be required to sign-in at the collecting site. By signing, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that sign up).

4. You’re going to be digging in dirt and mud – dress accordingly! There may also be insects and poison ivy. Hard hats are not required. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. Gloves are strongly recommended. The collecting site is an old spoil pile on private property. There may be old rusty tools or other iron pieces embedded in the pile. Sliding down the hill could be very painful.

5. The top of the pile is unstable and not safe to stand on. Do not go above the flags/caution tape markers. Anyone found above the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.

6. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name, the number of members attending and the dates you are attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net

Meet at 8 AM at the entrance to the collecting site on S Berta Road, just east of the intersection with Division St (Braceville IL). A nearby landmark for driving directions is the Braceville Gardner Cemetery, 7295 East Braceville Road, Braceville. I can send a small map to anyone that needs it.

 

ESCONI Field Trip: Friday, April 27th, 2018 to St. Paul Quarry, St. Paul, IN

There is a field trip to St. Paul Quarry (Silurian; Waldron Shale) on Friday April 27th. Minimum age is 18 years old and the trip is limited to 20 participants. We will meet at the quarry office just south of the town of St. Paul at 8:45 am Eastern Daylight. You must be a member of ESCONI on or before Saturday, April 21st. You need to have sturdy construction or hiking boots--NO canvas/athletic shoes, street shoes, or sandals. You need to have a hard hat and a safety vest would be a good idea.

 

Please email John Catalani at fossilnautiloid@aol.com to sign up for the trip.

 

 

ESCONI Field Trip: Saturday, April 21st, 2018 to Vulcan Manteno Quarry

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan Manteno Quarry on Saturday April 21, 2018 from 9 AM to 11:30 AM. The quarry is located at 6141 Highway 50, Manteno Illinois. The rules are shown below:

1. You must be an ESCONI member and at least 18 years old to attend this trip. Max attendance of 25.

2. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.

3. We will have site-specific training from quarry management.

4. You will be expected to sign the ESCONI sign-in list before entering the quarry. Your signature indicates that you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and be bound by the conditions set forth in the ESCONI Liability Waiver for this trip. The ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct is available on the website. The ESCONI Liability Waiver for this trip will be emailed to those who sign up.

5. Collect only in areas designated by quarry management.

6. You must have the following safety gear: steel-toed boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest. These must be worn at all times on the property.

7. No rock hammers, chisels, or large shovels. We can keep the fossils we find as long as they can easily be carried.

8. Photographs of the quarry or quarry facilities are not allowed. Photographs of fossils ARE allowed, and Vulcan management would like to have pictures of nice specimens.

9. To sign up, send me (Dave) an email with your name and the number of members in your party. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again!

Email Dave Carlson at fossil54@att.net to reserve a spot.

You should be able to find this quarry by searching on "6141 IL 50 Manteno" in Google. That will provide a map and satellite view.

If there is a need to cancel (like for weather) I will send out an email as far in advance as possible. Please check before departing for the quarry.

ESCONI Field Trip: Saturday, November 4th, 2017 to Thornton Quarry

There will an ESCONI field trip to the Thornton Quarry on Saturday November 4, 2017 from 8 AM to 12 noon.  The weather can be challenging in November, so think nice warm thoughts, and we'll give it a try!

 

I don't have all the details but here is what I have so far:

 

1. Everyone in your party must be an ESCONI member.

 

2. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years of age.

 

3. Maximum of 30 people total.

 

4. Standard safety equipment required - hard hat (no bike helmets), boots, safety glasses and safety vest.

 

5. I will distribute the ESCONI waiver by email prior to the trip. There will be safety training at the quarry.

 

6. Once there we will need to share cars to minimize the number of vehicles actually going into the quarry.

 

This will be a geological "tour" with at least one stop specifically for collecting.

 

I do not yet know where we are to meet. I will update that as soon as I get it.

 

To sign up, send me (Dave) an email at fossil54@att.net. I will reply by email within 24 hours. If I don't reply, send it again.

ESCONI Field Trip: October 8th, 2017 to Irene Quarry

There will be a field trip to the Irene Quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Sunday, Oct 8 2017, from 9AM to 12 Noon.

 
The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you!
 
Rules:
 
1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member.
 
2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age.

 

3. Everyone MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in the quarry. No sandals, tennis shoes, and the like. No claw hammers, roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering then bring eye protection and wear it.
 
4. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net   No phone calls please. Do not call the quarry.
 
5. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!
 
6. Maximum attendance by ESCONI members is 15.

7. I will distribute the release forms by email to those signed up just before the trip. Print these

    out, sign them and bring them along to be collected.

 

8. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website.

   
    The address of the quarry is 4525 Irene Road, Belvidere, Illinois.

 
    Questions? Send me (Dave) an email...

ESCONI Field Trip Sept 24 2017 to the Cunningham Quarry in Rockford

There will be a field trip to the Cunningham Quarry in Rockford, Illinois on Sunday, Sept 24 2017, from 9AM to 12 Noon.

 

The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). There is a pile of shot rock (large uncrushed stone after a blast) in the middle where there is plenty of access to it. 

 

Rules:
 
1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member as of Sept 17, 2017.
 
2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age.

 

3. Everyone MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in the quarry. No sandals, tennis shoes, and the like. No claw hammers, roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering then bring eye protection and wear it.
 
4. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net   No phone calls please. Do not call the quarry.

5. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!

6. Maximum attendance by ESCONI members is 15.

7. I will distribute the release forms by email to those signed up just before the trip. Print these out, sign them and bring them along to be collected.

 

8. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website.

   
The address of the quarry is 5881 Cunningham Road, Rockford, Illinois.  Questions? Send me an email...

Field Trip: Vulcan Kankakee Quarry on Saturday Sept 16, 2017 from 8:30 AM to noon

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan Kankakee Quarry on Saturday Sept 16, 2017 from 8:30 AM to noon. The quarry is located at 1277 County Highway 28.The rules are shown below:

 

1. You must be an ESCONI member as of September 9th and at least 18 years old to attend this trip.

 

2. Maximum attendance is 30.

 

3. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.

 

4. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign waivers. I will distribute the waiver forms by email a few days before the trip.

 

5. Collect only in areas designated by quarry management.

 

6. You must have the following safety gear: steel-toed boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest. These must be worn at all times on the property.

 

7. No rock hammers, chisels, or large shovels. We can keep the fossils we find as long as they can easily be carried.

 

8. Photographs of the quarry or quarry facilities are not allowed. Photographs of fossils ARE allowed, and Vulcan management would like to have pictures of nice specimens.

 

9. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics available on the ESCONI website. This applies to field trips.

 

To sign up for this field trip, please send me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending. My email address is: fossil54@att.net  No phone calls please. I will confirm via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from me within that time, send it again!

Field Trip: September 9-10, 2017 Braceville - Mazon Creek Fossils

Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on private property.

Meet at 8:00 A.M. Saturday or Sunday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit. Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.

We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property. Hard hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Gardening tools such as a hand rake work also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellent.

You must be a member of ESCONI to participate.  This year participants will be asked to fill out a liability release form which can be downloaded from the web site. All participants must sign the form. Parents or legal guardians must sign the children’s form. Check the web site for details or contact John Good at 1-630-303-2352 for reservations or e-mail at esconi@hotmail.com.

Field Trip: Irene Quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Sunday, July 16 2017

There will be a field trip to the Irene Quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Sunday, July 16 2017, from 9AM to 12 Noon.

 
The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you!
 
Rules:
 
1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member as of July 9, 2017.
 
2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age.

 

3. Everyone MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in the quarry. No sandals, tennis shoes, and the like. No claw hammers, roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering then bring eye protection and wear it.
 
4. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net   No phone calls please. Do not call the quarry.
 
5. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!
 
6. Maximum attendance by ESCONI members is 20.

7. I will distribute the release forms by email to those signed up just before the trip. Print these out, sign them and bring them along to be collected.

 

8. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website.

   
    The address of the quarry is 4525 Irene Road, Belvidere, Illinois.

 
    Questions? Send me an email...

Field Trip: State Street Quarry in Rockford, June 25th 2017

There will be a field trip for ESCONI members on June 25, 2017 to the State Street Quarry in Rockford. The trip starts at 9 AM and ends at 12 noon. Rules are as follows:

 

1. Everyone in your party must be an ESCONI member by June 18, 2017.

 

2. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years of age.

 

3. Because this is a combined trip, there are only 20 open slots for ESCONI members.

 

4. The address of the quarry is 8966 East State Street, Rockford, IL.

 

5. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign waivers.

 

6. You must have the following safety gear: sturdy (preferably steel-toed) boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest.

 

7. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics available on the ESCONI website. This applies to field trips.

 

To sign up for this field trip, send Dave Carlson an email with the number of members attending. His email address is: fossil54@att.net  No phone calls please. Do NOT call the quarry. I will confirm via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from Dave within that time, send it again!

ESCONI Field Trip to Vulcan Kankakee Quarry May 20, 2017

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan Kankakee Quarry on Saturday May 20, 2017 from 8:30 AM to noon. The quarry is located at 1277 County Highway 28.The rules are shown below:

 

1. You must be an ESCONI member as of May 13th and at least 18 years old to attend this trip.

 

2. Maximum attendance is 30.

 

3. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.

 

4. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign a waiver. I will distribute the waiver forms by email a few days before the trip.

 

5. Collect only in areas designated by quarry management.

 

6. You must have the following safety gear: steel-toed boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest. These must be worn at all times on the property.

 

7. No rock hammers, chisels, or large shovels. We can keep the fossils we find as long as they can easily be carried.

 

8. Photographs of the quarry or quarry facilities are not allowed. Photographs of fossils ARE allowed, and Vulcan management would like to have pictures of nice specimens.

 

9. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics available on the ESCONI website. This applies to field trips.

 

To sign up for this field trip, please send me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending. My email address is: fossil54@att.net  No phone calls please. I will confirm via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from me within that time, send it again!

 

ESCONI Field Trip: Braceville, IL - Saturday, May 13th and Sunday, May 14th, 2017

May 13th-14th, 2017 Braceville - Mazon Creek Fossils

Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on private property.

Meet at 8:00 AM Saturday or Sunday at the BP Amoco in Coal City.  No Age Limit.  Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City).  Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street).  Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.

We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property. Hard hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Gardening tools such as a hand rake work also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellent.

Check the web site for details or contact John Good at 1-630-303-2352 for reservations or e-mail at esconi@hotmail.com.

 

ESCONI Field Trip: St. Paul, IN, Friday, May 5th, 2017

ESCONI Field Trip to St. Paul quarry in St. Paul, IN.  We will meet at the quarry office BEFORE 8:00 AM Eastern Time to sign waivers and receive instructions.  As always, the trip is tentative based on quarry activity.  Map

This trip is open to 20 members.  There will be a waiting list, if necessary.

Trip rules:

• You must be 18 years of age (Indiana State law)
• We are going to be enforcing strict safety requirements: everyone must wear a hard hat and hard shoes construction-type at all times. No open toed sandals, tennis shoes, or casual/street shoes will be allowed. Also, long pants are required, no shorts will be allowed.

To sign up, contact John Catalani at Fossilnautiloid@aol.com.  You may also sign up at the April General and Paleo meetings.

NOTE: participants must be ESCONI members by April 16th, 2017.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford-area quarry Sunday, May 7, 2017

There will be a field trip for ESCONI members on Sunday, May 7, 2017 to the Porter quarry near Rockford. The trip starts at 9 AM and ends at 12 noon. Rules are as follows:

 

1. You must be an ESCONI member as of May 1st.

 

2. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years of age.

 

3. Because this is a combined trip, there are only 15 open slots for ESCONI members.

 

4. The address of the quarry is 6832 Swanson Rd, Roscoe, IL.

 

5. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign a waiver.

 

6. You must have the following safety gear: sturdy (preferably steel-toed) boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest.

 

7. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics available on the ESCONI website. This applies to field trips.

 

To sign up for this field trip, send me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending. My email address is: fossil54@att.net  No phone calls please. Do NOT call the quarry. I will confirm via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from me within that time, send it again!

 

Field Trip: ISGS Field Trip on Thursday, April 27th, 2017 - “Viewing the Glacial Geology and Geomorphology in Western Champaign County”

Overview: This Illinois Geographical Society- sponsored tour explores the geological features as well as man’s impact on the landscape in this 4-hour excursion around western Champaign County. The tour is self-pay for all meals and will be led by a staff member(s) of the Illinois State Geological Survey.

Meeting Point: Meet at JT Walker’s Restaurant and Brewery, 401 East Main Street, Mahomet, IL 61853, 217/586-1100, www.jtwalkers.com/ at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, April 27, 2017. We will have lunch (on your own) prior to the trip.

Tour cost: Self-pay. Field guides [CITATION Gri16 \l 1033 ] are $15 cash and must be pre-ordered (payable to IGS) at time of reservation. They will be distributed at lunch prior to the trip unless other arrangements are made.

Transportation: We will be alternating between car transportation (caravan) and walking. You will be responsible for your own gasoline costs, parking fees, and tolls.

Other Important Information: Some parts of this field trip may be moderately challenging as we may be climbing up and down riverbank slopes (depending on the weather and river levels). Some sites will not be handicapped-accessible. Please bring boots and outerwear that can get soiled. There is no collecting on this trip with the exception of a gravel pit we may visit.

Reservations and contacts for Additional Information:

Joe Kubal (IGS Field Trip Coordinator) 

630-983-6159 (Home) 

Jdrk4715@aol.com

Keith Yearman (IGS Field Trip Coordinator) 

312-532-7645 (Cell) 

Yearman@cod.edu

David A. Grimley (ISGS Field Trip Leader) 

217-244-7324 (Office) 

dgrimley@illinois.edu

 

Full Details of the 2017 IGS Pre-Meeting Field Trip

 

Field Trip: Vulcan DeKalb (aka Larson) Quarry, Monday, April 10, 2017

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan DeKalb (aka Larson) Quarry on Monday (!) April 10, 2017 from 1 PM to 3 PM. The quarry is located at 15622 Barber Green Road.This trip is combined with a visit from Dr. Reed Scherer's Invert Paleo class from NIU. There are no trips to this quarry on weekends. The rules are shown below:

 

You must be an ESCONI member as of April 3rd and at least 18 years old to attend this trip. That means you can pay your membership dues at the upcoming show, if you haven't done so already.

 

 

1. Because this is a combined trip, there are only 12 open slots for ESCONI members.

 

2. The parking lot is on the south side of the road, but it isn't big. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking.

 

3. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign a waiver.  Waiver forms will be distributed by email a few days before the trip.

 

4. We will be collecting in a designated area on the overburden shale dump only.  We cannot go anywhere else in the quarry.

 

5. You must have the following safety gear: steel-toed boots, hard hat, safety glasses and safety vest.  These must be worn at all times on the property.

 

6. No rock hammers, chisels, or large shovels.  We can keep the fossils we find as long as they can easily be carried.

 

7. Photographs of the quarry or quarry facilities are not allowed.  Photographs of fossils ARE allowed, and Vulcan management would like to have pictures of nice specimens.

 

8. Please review the ESCONI Code of Ethics available on the ESCONI website.  This applies to field trips.

 

If you have unique or impressive specimens found at this quarry, and are willing to bring them for the group(s) to see, please do so.

 

To sign up for this field trip, please send Dave Carlson an email with the number of members attending. The email address is: fossil54@att.net  No phone calls please. You will receive a confirmation via return email within 24 hours. If you do not hear back within that time, send it again!