2026 Tom A. Thorson Field Camp Schedule (May 18–June 26).
The Tom A. Thorson field camp will take us to some of the most scenic and geologically significant locations in the western states of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Over the course of six weeks, you will explore the geologic history and tectonic evolution of the Rocky Mountain region, spanning from the Precambrian era to the present.
Our itinerary starts at (A) the Veedauwoo rock formations near Laramie, WY where we will test our gear and study the 1.3 Ga. Sherman Granite (May 18–20). We will head south to (B) the Great Sand Dunes, CO to observe active dune formation (May 21–23), followed by volcanic studies of (C) the Rio Grande Rift, NM (May 23–25) and (D) the Summer Coon volcanic complex in southern CO (May 25 – 31). We will then explore metamorphic rocks and river processes at (E) the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO (May 31–June 3) and (F) explore the stunning sedimentary rock exposures in the canyon country of UT that represent various orogenic periods of mountain building and erosion (June 3–7). From there we will proceed to (G) Thermopolis, WY to study hydrothermal processes and conduct a dinosaur dig (June 7–11) followed by mapping geological exposures in (H) the Seminoe Range and engage with exploration companies to discover how tectonic events shape modern mineral exploration (June 11–21). The program will conclude back in Laramie, WY with an introduction to near-surface geophysical techniques (June 21–26).
