OLLI Experience: Uncovering Ancient Landscapes: A Field Study of Lory State Park’s Geology (Lory State Park)

Note:  A NEW section of this offering, meeting on 10/22, is now available!

Join this immersive exploration of Lory State Park's geologic history, with a focus on its sweeping valley and ridge landscapes. This half-day course begins with a one-hour lecture at the visitor center, introducing the park's complex geologic evolution and its role in ancient uplifts, shifting supercontinents, and extinction events driven by changes in paleoclimate. Following the lecture, participants will embark on a two-hour guided hike toward the reservoir to examine sedimentary rock formations up close. Along the way, participants will explore evidence of ancient environments such as braided rivers, saline lakes, and expansive sand dunes, including insights from recent research into the region's deep-time history. Whether a dedicated rockhound or simply curious about Front Range landscapes, this session offers a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the region's distinctive foothills and valleys.

Multiple Sections: Class date correlates with the section number. Please pay careful attention when registering.

Required Supplies: Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water for the field portion.  A state park pass (daily or annual) is required for each vehicle.

*Herb Saperstone is a geologist with a BS in Geology from the University of Vermont and an MS from Colorado State University, specializing in stratigraphy, sedimentology, and basin evolution. He worked with Arco Coal and the U.S. Geological Survey before turning to science communication, producing educational earth and environmental subjects for both industry and local government. He now volunteers as a geology naturalist in Larimer County, leading programs at Horsetooth Mountain, Devil's Backbone, and Lory State Park.

Notes

• A current OLLI membership is required to register for all courses and lectures.
• If you do not have a Fall 2026 membership, one will be added to your cart at checkout.
• OLLI membership fees and course tuition are critical to the Institute's sustainability and are non-refundable.

Recommendations

Michael B. Kendrick, Our Geologic Heritage in Colorado’s Northern Front Range Foothills: A Guide to Larimer County Natural Areas 

Lon Abbott and Terri Cook, Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range 

Elisabeth Ervin-Blankenheim, Song of the Earth: Understanding Geology and Why It Matters 

Marcia Bjornerud, Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World 

Kirk R. Johnson and Robert G. H. Raynolds, Ancient Denvers: Scenes from the Past 300 Million Years of the Colorado Front Range