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Annual Fall Field Conference

Nacimiento Mountains and Río Puerco Valley
October 23-26, 2024

The 74th annual Fall Field conference examines the NEXUS of three major geologic/ physiographic provinces: Colorado Plateau, southern Rocky Mountains and Río Grande rift. The venue will be in Bernalillo, New Mexico. The overall theme is New Mexico’s storied landscapes through (deep)time: connecting geoheritage and human heritage.

geomap graphic

Itinerary

San Ysidro anticline

Tilted Mesozoic rocks on the flanks of the San Ysidro anticline

All trips (Oct 24-26) will depart from the West parking lot of the Santa Ana Star Casino: From Highway 550 turn right (north) on Jemez Canyon Dam Road, drive 700 ft, and the assembly area parking lot would be on the left (just north of the U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union). (834 US-550, Bernalillo, NM 87004; 505-361-1876)

Oct 23 (Wed) - Icebreaker and registration on evening prior to the field trips:

Day 1 - Oct 24 (Thur) - San Ysidro area: Mesozoic rocks and folds, travertines, Río Salado and Jemez river terraces- Karl Karlstrom, Cameron Chavez Reed and others to lead.

neck

One of the many Rio Puerco necks west of San Ysidro, NM.

Day 2 - Oct 25 (Fri) - Río Puerco Valley: Morning - Rio Puerco Necks and volcanics of Mesa Prieta and Cerro de Guadalupe, Larry Crumpler and others to lead.

Afternoon - Late Cretaceous transgressive-regressive strata and late Cenozoic incisional history of the Río Puerco Valley, Dan Koning and others to lead.

Soda Dam

Soda Dam is a travertine mound over the Jemez River just east of Jemez Springs, NM.

Day 3 - Oct 26, Half day (optional): Proterozoic rocks at Gillman tunnels, end at Soda Dam – Karl Karlstrom, Laura Crossey and others to lead.

  • Date: October 26, 2024
  • Departure Time: 7:30 AM
  • Departure point: West parking lot of the Santa Ana Star Casino (834 US-550, Bernalillo, NM 87004; 505-361-1876)
  • Return: Early afternoon

    • Lodging

    Santa Ana Star Casino

    www.santaanastar.com

    We have rooms blocked out at the Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel . You will have to call to book a room at the group rate $159/night (King and 2 Queen Size beds available). 1-844-466-2378. Please mention the group code of BKG592 to receive the reduced rate. All reservations must be made before October 9, 2024. Santa Ana Star does not have a complimentary breakfast. However, several resturants and a coffee shop are on site to get food. Several other hotel and camping options are within 2 miles of the meeting location. Camping at Coronado Campground (0.5 miles) and hotels in Bernalillo (Holiday Inn or Days Inn, 1.4 miles). If the number of rooms fills up, please email nels.iverson@nmt.edu, and he will negotiate for more rooms.

    Coronado Campground

    www.tobnm.gov/departments/coronado_campground/index.php

    Coronado Campgrounds sits on the banks of the Rio Grande right between two of our evening venues (Bosque Taproom to the south and Coronado Historic Site to the North.) It is a ~0.5-mile walk to Santa Ana Star Casino, where we will meet for the Field Conference in the mornings. It would be a 1.3-mile walk to the Santa Ana Prairie Star Golf Course for the Banquet. There are several options for camping, from RV sites to tent sites.

    Main Area Daily Fees

    Developed RV Sites (1-6) (with water & 50 amp. electric) ..................................... $40.00

    Developed RV Site (with water & 20/30 amp. electric) ............. $35.00

    Developed RV Site (with 20 amp. electric ONLY) (A, B, C, D) ............ $30.00

    North Remote Area Daily Fees

    7 Night Maximum Stay for Tent area
    North Area Remote Section Closed Yearly: November - March
    * Fires in approved grills only *

    Developed Sheltered Site (per tent) (water, NO electric) ............ $25.00

    Developed Tent Camping No Shelter (per tent) ...................... $20.00

    Non-developed tent camping .......................................... $18.00

    Health

    We will follow any public health orders that are in effect during the conference. We encourage members attending the conference to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Future Conferences:

    Widespread enthusiasm for the Fall Field Conferences has led to receipt of many proposals for future conferences. Therefore, the schedule of upcoming field conferences is now outlined for the next several years. The field conference venues and names of organizers are listed below. All members are encouraged to volunteer assistance to the organizers or to contribute to the guidebooks. If you live near or are involved with the geology in the vicinity of the future conference sites, please consider contacting one of the organizers.

    2025: Eastern San Juan Basin
    2026: Albuquerque Area

    If you have an idea for a future field conference, please contact the President of the NMGS.

    Photos From Past Fall Field Conferences

    Everyone is invited to share their best digital photos of past conferences with the rest of the Society membership. Please contact the society webmaster via the 'comments' link below.