While staying at the Wilson Ranches B&B near Fossil, Oregon we visited the very interesting and wide-spread units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

After checking in at the B&B on the first day of our stay, we drove to the Clarno Unit.

The most interesting features of the Unit are the palisades (high cliffs) which are the remains of ancient mudflows called lahars. Over time, the mud, silt, soil, and rocks of these lahars, along with wood, nuts, seeds, and leaves from the forest floor, were cemented together by silica. This combination left a solid cliff made up of sand, silt, and clay that encased the jumbled remains of a forest.

It is very unique. Several short trails are in the area. They showcase the palisades, pass by a variety of fossilized leafs and branches, and lead to a natural arch.

Natural arch in the palisades

My favorite model

Orange Mallow

Rainbow after a rain squall

Your humble scribe at the end of the trail

Clover

Clarno Palisades

Swallow nests

Basalt cliffs rising far above the John Day River Valley

Paper Wasp on a Thistle