JOHN DAY FOSSIL BEDS Geology and Paleoenvironments of the Clarno Unit John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon

L685 Uppermost central "Nut Beds"

This is the original "Nut Beds" locality collected extensively by Thomas Bones, conglomerates forming a bench on top of the central outcrop of the Clarno "nut beds", 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NE1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 Sect 27, T7S R19E, Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702738E 4977378N). The central outcrop of the "Nut Beds" is defined by two gullies which divide this exposure of indurated conglomerates and sandstones from similar exposures to the south and north along strike. This locality continues to yield in surface debris and would produce well with quarrying, but yields have always been low. This fossiliferous conglomerate is at a stratigraphic level of 62 m in the master section of Clarno Formation measured here, and is in the "Nut Beds" of the Clarno Formation and of Middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Juglans clarnensis: fruit (P9385A,B=JODA3800)

L743 "Slanting leaf beds"

This locality for fossil leaves of the so-called "Bridge Creek flora" is often visited by campers at Hancock Field Station, and is on Maurer's Ranch below Iron Mountain, near Clarno (SE1/4 NE1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 sect. 22 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703435E 497946N). It is a prominent band of white lacustrine shales forming the brow of a ridge low in the foothills of Iron Mountain, reached by foot trails to 1.5 miles north of Hancock Field Station. This large exposure should produce fossils indefinitely. The preservation is of impressions only, and specimens in most layers are limited in size by extensive jointing of the rock. This is in the middle Big Basin Member or Member F of the John Day Formation, of early Oligocene (Orellan) age. Metasequoia occidentalis: foliar spur (P6172=JODA3849) Alnus heterodonta: leaf (P6172=JODA3841, P11397A,B=JODA3838)

Crataegus merriami: leaf (P6728=JODA3839)

Folindusia sp.: caddis fly case (P9587=JODA3819)

Novumbra oregonensis: fish (P8155A,B=JODA3848)

L748 Middle central "Nut Beds"

This locality in the central outcrop of the Clarno "Nut Beds" is a band of cherty siltstone with remains of fossil horsetails in place of growth 2 m above the basal excavation, 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NE1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 Sect 27, T7S R19E, Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702741E 4977378N). The central outcrop of the "Nut Beds" is defined by two gullies which divide this exposure of indurated conglomerates and sandstones from similar exposures to the south and north along strike. This layer forms an attractive field display in the central part of the outcrop, where sampling should be discouraged, but it can be collected at several places along its 150 m of strike. The fossil horsetails are rooted in Luquem paleosols. This is at 54 m in the master section, and in the "Nut Beds" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Equisetum clarnoi: stem (P9748=JODA3850)

L750 South "Hancock Tree"

This locality on the southern side of the gully across from the "Hancock Tree", a prominent permineralized trunk within a lahar, in a tributary of Hancock Canyon, but from the southern side of the gully across from the fossil tree, 0.6 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station (NW1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 704008E 4978149N). This is a bed of cherty siltstone that crops out beneath the lahar, and represents the leaf litter of the Patat paleosol in which the "Hancock Tree" is rooted. The fossil leaf-bearing horizon is thin and has been sampled at only a few places, but has thick overburden that limits ease of quarrying. This locality is probably correlative with locality L1756, which is at 38 m in the master section, in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Macginitea angustiloba: leaf (P6274=JODA3851)

L775 "Mammal Quarry"

This large quarry was excavated primarily between 1955 and 1959 by Lon Hancock, Arnold Shotwell and Malcolm McKenna, and from 1969-1972 by teams from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The weathered quarry now and forms a large (50x50 m) depression in the upper part of a gully 0.8 miles north of Hancock Field Station (SW1/4 NW1/4 NE1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 27 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703283E 4978117N). The quarry is at the end of a vehicular track and along the main foot trail from Hancock Field Station to the "Slanting Leaf Beds" (locality L743). Fossil bones were found within a 1 m thickness of grey to olive siltstones between calcareous conglomerates of the quarry floor and olive siltstones of the weathered and slumped quarry face. Jennifer Pratt reopened the quarry in 1987 and found additional material in place. Further excavation would be worthwhile as the overburden is only about 3-4 meters of soft claystones that are easily moved. The specimen collected for this work was found loose in the debris pile east of the excavation. This horizon correlates to a stratigraphic level of 122 m in the master section, and is in the "Mammal Beds" of the uppermost Clarno Formation, of late Eocene (Duchesnean) age.

Diplobunops sp.: partial molar (P8248=JODA3852)

L977 Upper central "Nut Beds"

This locality is the base of the cliff-forming conglomerate that caps the central outcrop of the Clarno "Nut Beds", 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NE1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 Sect 27, T7S R19E, Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702741E 477328N). The upper portion of this conglomerate bed is locality L685, and the productive conglomerate layer is about 1 m above the layer of L748. The basal 0.5 m of this conglomerate is full of permineralized wood, fruits and seeds in a jumbled arrangement. The surface is well picked over by collectors, but loosened blocks sometimes still yield worthwhile fossils. This locality is too steep and the rock too hard for a productive quarrying. This locality is at 67 m in the master section, and is in the "Nut Beds" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene age (Bridgerian-Uintan)

Juglans clarnensis: fruit (P10189A=JODA3853)

L1052 Hancock Canyon packrat midden

This small overhang full of packrat debris is at the base of the thick lahar entombing the "Hancock Tree", and 3 m northeast along the trail from the fossil tree, 0.6 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station (NW1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 704023E 4778148N). Only about 0.5 m³ of midden material is present in this small cave. The age of the material is probably middle Holocene (W.G. Spaulding personal communication, 1985).

Juniperus occidentalis: fragments in midden matrix (P9047=JODA3854)

L1099 Upper fern quarry

This extensive (100m long) quarry can be seen at a distance from abundant white blocks on the hillside above Hancock Canyon, between the two stock ponds, 0.4 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703786E 497765N). The headwall of the quarry is formed by a thick white tuff that has buried fossil vegetation largely of ferns. This locality is for material in the uppermost Luquem paleosol dominated by ferns. A more diverse angiosperm-dominated flora is found in a Sayayk paleosol 40 cm below the tuff (L1755). Quarrying is becoming increasingly difficult because of the hardness of the rock and rapidly increasing depth of overburden. This quarry correlates to a level of 18 m in the master section and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene age (Bridgerian-Uintan)

Equisetum clarnoi: stem (P12130=JODA3802)

Saccoloma gardneri: fern (P12129A-D=JODA3807)

L1352 Lower Knox Ranch

This locality is a small roadcut revealing white leaf-bearing shale south of the road and 0.5 miles west of Knox Ranch, near Clarno (SW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SE1/4 NE1/4 Sect. 20 T7S R20E Porcupine Butte 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 709315E 4976820N). The road to Knox Ranch leaves highway 218 along Pine Creek at the abandoned Pine Creek School building, some 2 miles east of the turnoff to Hancock Field Station. This outcrop is shaded by a large juniper tree. The fossil leaves are impressions only, but the fossils have pleasing coloration on the lacustrine white shale. This locality would repay additional collecting. This is in the middle Big Basin Member, of the lower John Day Formation of early Oligocene (Orellan) age.

Monocotyledonae sp. indet.: broad leaf (P9732=JODA3803)

Metasequoia occidentalis: foliar shoots (P9728A,B=JODA3808)

Alnus hollandiana: leaf (P9731=JODA3813)

Craigia oregonensis: fruit (P9729A,B=JODA3811, P9730=JODA3812)

L1353 Upper Knox Ranch

This locality is another roadcut south of the same road as L1352, but only 0.3 miles west of Knox Ranch, near Clarno (NW1/4 SE1/4 NW1/4 SE1/4 NE1/4 Sect. 20 T7S R20E Porcupine Butte 7.5' Quad., zone 10, UTM 709496E 4979926N). This is a more extensive outcrop higher in elevation, but at about the same stratigraphic level. The white shales here dip steeply east. The fossil leaf impressions here are white like their matrix, but well defined. This is in the middle Big Basin Member of the lower John Day Formation of early Oligocene (Orellan) age.

Metasequoia occidentalis: foliar shoot (P9741=JODA3814)

Pinus sp.: seed (P9738=JODA3814)

Alnus hollandiana: leaves (P9736=JODA3804)

"Tilia" circularis: leaf (P9740=JODA3810)

Acer osmonti: seed (P9739=JODA3805)

Craigia oregonensis: fruit (P9735A,B=JODA3809)

L1354 Knox Ranch north

This locality consists of outcrops of green tuffaceous sandstone in a gully draining a hill 0.5 miles north of Knox Ranch, near Clarno (SE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 16 T7S R20E Porcupine Butte 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 710818E 4980885N). This is at an elevation of 3340' on a steep ridge that forms the northern boundary to the flat pastures accessible by a rough track northeast from the ranch-house. This ridge forms the northern boundary to the relatively flat terrain around the ranch-house. The green tuffaceous sandstone here is full of small aquatic snails. There also are common bones of very large fish, which although disarticulated, would repay further collecting. This is in the lower Turtle Cove Member of the lower John Day Formation, of late Oligocene (lower Arikareean) age.

Ammonitella lunata: snails (P9743A-J=JODA3855)

Lymnaea stearnsi: snails (P9744A-F=JODA3856)

L1358 "Whitecap Knoll"

This prominent knoll of red claystone is capped by a thick white tuff, and is in the rolling country of Maurer's Ranch between the "Mammal Quarry" (L775) and the "Slanting Leaf Beds" (L743), 1.2 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SE1/4 NW1/4 NE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703741E 4978852N). The knoll is east of the main foot trail between Hancock Field Station and the "Slanting Leaf Beds", but can be seen clearly from various points along the trail north of the ridge formed by the welded tuff of the basal John Day Formation. Only two fossils were found loose on the surface at the foot of the knoll. Considering their reddish staining but dark color, they are presumed to have come from the drab upper portion of the type example of the Luca paleosol exposed here. It is possible that they came from further upslope and higher in the formation, because the surface here is littered with small clasts of basalt from Iron Mountain. No other fossils have been found here and the potential for further discoveries is low. The tuff here has been dated by Carl Swisher at 38.2 Ma. This is in the lower Big Basin Member of the John Day Formation, of latest Eocene (Duchesnean) age.

Angiospermae gen. et sp. indet.: charcoalified wood (P9757=JODA3855)

Entelodontidae gen. et sp. indet.: portion of tusk (P9756=JODA3856)

L1359 Southern "Nut Beds"

This is the southernmost exposure of the Clarno "Nut Beds" which have yielded most of the fossil vertebrates from this horizon, some 300 m south of the main "Nut Beds" locality (L685), 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SE1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 Sect 27, T7S R19E, Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702748E 4977295N). These cherty siltstones form a cliff here as in the main "Nut Beds" exposure. The fossil leaves are from a sequence of weakly developed Sayayk paleosols exposed in the lower part of the exposure, collected mainly from large bounders that have rolled down the slope here. These large boulders have been largely exhausted as a supply of complete leaves, but there is a potential to quarry here. As in the main excavation into the lower "Nut Beds", quarrying is made difficult by the hardness of the rock and by extensive jointing. This is at a level of 53 m in the master section, and is in the "Nut Beds" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Litseaphyllum sp. cf. "Laurophyllum" merrilli: leaf (P11528=JODA3832)

Diploclisia sp.: leaf (P11526=JODA3828)

Meliosma sp. cf. M simplicifolia: leaf (P11525=JODA3829)

L1541 Sorefoot Creek

This locality is in green badlands 300 m north of Sorefoot Creek and 200 m east of the John Day River, 3 miles north along its left bank from Clarno (SE1/4 SW1/4 NE1/4 NW1/4 NE1/4 Sect. 19 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 69789E 4980244N). These mammal fossils, snails and trace fossils weathered out loose from green Xaxus paleosols in the gully between a green knoll and higher green spur here. The green beds overly red badlands in this area. This locality has been collected continuously by students from Hancock Field Station, but still yields useful fossils. This is in the basal Turtle Cove Member of the John Day Formation of late Oligocene (early Arikareean) age.

Edaphichnium sp. indet: earthworm chimney (P12141A,B=JODA3825)

Polygyra dalli (Stearns) Steams: shell (P10401=JODA3823)

Pallichnus sp. indet: dung beetle bolus (P12140A-E=JODA3824)

Perchoerus sp. indet.: molar (P12138=JODA3826)

Hypertragulidae gen. et sp. indet.: astragalus (P12139=JODA3827)

L1568 South "Whitecap Knoll"

This locality is a thin (4 cm) white volcanic ash cropping out as chips on the slope 100 m south of a prominent knoll of red claystone is capped by a thick white tuff (L1358), and is in the rolling country of Maurer's Ranch between the "Mammal Quarry" (L775) and the "Slanting Leaf Beds" (L743), 1.2 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SE1/4 SW1/4 NE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad, UTM zone 10 703752E 4978795N). Most of the few tuff bed fragments on the surface have been collected, and about half of them contained well preserved compressions of cones, fruits and leaves. The tuff bed lies within a sequence of dark brown shales with abundant fish scales and plant debris. Because of the abundance of material and the paucity of information about fossil floras at this straigraphic level, this locality deserves more extensive quarrying. This is in the lower Big Basin Member of the John Day Formation, of latest Eocene (Duchesnean) age.

Metasequoia occidentalis: cone (P10482=JODA3857)

Palaeocarya clarnensis: fruit (P10481A,B=JODA3858)

Cruciptera simsoni: fruit (P10481A,B=JODA3859)

Viviparus sp.: snail (P11399=JODA3860)

Coleoptera sp. indet.: elytron (P10483=JODA3861)

L1650 Creek near "Hancock Tree"

This locality is in the north bank of the gully 10 m northwest of the "Hancock Tree", a prominent permineralized trunk within a lahar, in a tributary of Hancock Canyon, 0.6 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station (SW1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E, Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 704022E 4978148N). This locality is a Sayayk paleosol about 1 m lower stratigraphically than the paleosol in which the "Hancock Tree" is rooted. The leaves are found within a narrow zone as a leaf litter and some of the horsetails arch up into overlying beds as if infiltrated then overwhelmed with sediment. The matrix is an orange cherty siltstone and the fossils are stained reddish brown. This locality could sustain further collecting, but large scale quarrying would be limited by nearby walls of lahar. This level can be correlated to 28 m in the master section and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Equisetum clarnoi: stems (P10887A=JODA3862)

Joffrea speirsii: leaf (P10884B=JODA3863)

Macginitea angustiloba: leaf (P10885E=JODA3864)

L1730 Uppermost Hancock Canyon

This locality is a small ledge of sandstone between lahars at the head of Hancock Canyon, 0.8 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SE1/4 NW1/4 SE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703984E 497288N). The locality is about 300 m north along the gully from the "Hancock Tree" (L750), and is at a stratigraphic level above the thick lahar than entombed the "Hancock Tree", and also above an overlying basalt flow. The fossil leaves form a leaf litter in the surface of a Sayayk paleosol between lahars. The leaves form a matlike accumulation within a thin seam in the cliff face and prospects for further collection and quarrying are limited. This locality can be correlated to 66 m in the master section, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Alnus clarnoensis: leaf (P11462=JODA3833)

Meliosma sp.: leaf (P11462=JODA3834)

L1731 Spur of Hancock Canyon

This locality is within the thick (11 m) lahar forming south-facing outcrops in a spur 0.5 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703908E 4978047N). This thick lahar is the same one entombing the "Hancock tree" (L750). A single leaf impression was found 1 m above the base of the lahar and was the only fossil found in this area, so potential for other fossils is very low. The fossil is a fragmentary impression preserved with some relief, presumably because of curling of a dry leaf from a leaf litter. This locality correlates to a level of 31 m in the master section. It is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Macginitea angustiloba: leaf (P11463=JODA3830)

L1732 East "Hancock Tree"

From a low overhanging lahar bed within the main portion of Hancock Canyon 0.7 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 704147E 4978086N). This locality is in the main portion of Hancock Canyon before the tributary gully that leads to the "Hancock Tree" (L750), which is 200 m to the west. Leaves can be found on the sole of the lahar which forms an overhang about 20 m above the base of the gully. This lahar is stratigraphically above the thick lahar that entombed the "Hancock Tree" and the overlying basalt flow, and represents the last of the lahar beds here. The leaves are impressions only, and occur within a thin zone that was probably a leaf litter of a Sayayk paleosol. Because the layer is already the site of a cave and the productive layer is thin, potential for further collecting is limited. This locality can he correlated to a level near 66 m in the master section, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Alnus clarnoensis: leaf (P11464=JODA3801)

L1733 South "Hancock Tree"

This locality is high on a spur and is the source of a prominent landslide of blocks into Hancock Canyon, 0.5 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 704012E 4977968N). The locality is directly above a point in the main foot trail up Hancock Canyon almost blocked by several large boulders that fell from the high spur to the north. The productive layer is at the base of the same thick (11 m) lahar that entombed the "Hancock Tree" at an elevation of about 1800 feet. At this locality also are several permineralized stumps, including one showing spreading basal roots and the conspicuous rays of sycamore wood. Fossil leaf impressions are in a cherty siltstone parting and have the appearance of a fossil leaf litter in a Patat paleosol. These specimens were collected from boulders of the landslide here, and potential for further collection from this steep face is limited. This locality is correlative with locality L1756 in the master section at 38 m, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Cinnamomophyllum sp. cf. "Cryptocarya" eocenica: leaf (P11467=JODA3845)

Joffrea speirsii: leaf (P11465=JODA3831)

Macginitea angustiloba: leaves (P11466B=JODA3875, P11467=JODA3835)

L1753 Upper north "Hancock Tree"

This is from an overhang beneath the thick lahar entombing the "Hancock Tree", some 8 m northwest along the trail from the tree in this tributary gully of Hancock Canyon, 0.6 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad, UTM zone 10 704023E 4978150N). This is not from the same paleosol in which the "Hancock Tree" is rooted, but from a Sayayk paleosol 25 cm above it. The leaves are compressions that form a thin zone and have the appearance of a fossil leaf litter. A few sizeable blocks could be pried out of this overhang, but the potential for further collecting is limited. This locality also is correlative with locality L1756 in the master section at 38 m, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Joffrea speirsii: leaves (P11662A=JODA3868)

Litseaphyllum presanguinea: leaves (P11665=JODA3867, P11667=JODA3869, P11668=JODA3870)

Alnus clarnoensis: leaf (P11663=JODA3865, P11664=JODA3866)

L1754 Lower north "Hancock Tree"

This is from a ledge beneath the thick lahar entombing the "Hancock tree", some 12 m northwest along the trail from the tree in this tributary gully of Hancock Canyon, 0.6 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 704023E 4978150N). This is from the same paleosol in which the "Hancock Tree" is rooted, and from the type Patat paleosol. The leaves are variably ferruginized compressions that form a thin zone and have the appearance of a fossil leaf litter. Because of overlying thick lahar, the potential for further collecting is limited. This locality also is correlative with locality L1756 in the master section at 38 m, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Alnus clarnoensis: leaf (P11669=JODA3871)

L1755 Lower Fern Quarry

This extensive (100m long) quarry can be seen at a distance from abundant white blocks on the hillside above Hancock Canyon, between the two stock ponds, 0.4 miles northeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 26 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703786E 4977651N). The headwall of the quarry is formed by a thick white tuff that has buried vegetation largely of fossil ferns (L1099). This locality is for a more diverse angiosperm-dominated flora found in a Sayayk paleosol 40 cm below the tuff. Quarrying is becoming increasingly difficult because of the hardness of the rock and rapidly increasing depth of overburden. This quarry correlates to a level of 18 m in the master section and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene age (Bridgerian-Uintan)

Joffrea speirsii: leaf (P11671=JODA3872)

Quercus sp.: leaf (P12132A,B=JODA3818)

Cinnamomophyllum sp. cf. "Cryptocarya" eocenica: leaf (P11670=JODA3873, P11974=JODA3847, P12131=JODA3820)

Goweria dilleri: leaf (P11671=JODA3874, P11974=JODA3846)

L1756 "Nut Beds" trench

This locality was found in a long stratigraphic trench in the slope below the southern outcrop of the "Nut Beds" (L1395), some 300 m south of the main "Nut Beds" locality (L685), 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SE1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 Sect 27, T7S R19E, Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702782E 4977306N). The locality is no longer exposed because the trench was filled. It is located directly beneath a thick lahar that crops out poorly, but does create a somewhat steeper hillslope. A better guide to this locality is its position 2m above a distinctive white tuff with small (cm size) angular black stones that form a lag deposit on the badlands slopes near the base of the exposures here. The leaves are impressions in a sandstone surface of a Patat paleosol. This locality would repay quarrying as the overburden is soft, and the collection includes an interesting mix of temperate and tropical elements. This is at a stratigraphic level of 30 m in the master section, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Magnolia sp. cf. M. leei: leaf (P11678=JODA3876)

Macginitea angustiloba: leaf (P11676=JODA3877) Juglans sp.: leaf (P11675A,B=JODA3878)

Meliosma sp. cf. M. simplicfolia: leaves (P11677A,B=JODA3879)

L1757 Lower "Black Spur" trench

These fossils were found in a trench excavated into claystones and coal measures on the south facing hillside below a prominent basalt flow of "Black Spur" and above the underlying porphyritic andesite intrusion, 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 Sect. 27 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703112E 497736N). The locality is 100 m to the north and above the foot trail from Hancock Field Station to the mammal quarry (L775). It is no longer exposed because the trench was filled. It is 13 m stratigraphically above the underlying intrusion and 14 m below the overlying columnar-jointed basalt flow. These leaves were found in the underclay to the thickest (60 cm) of several seams of lignite, here designated as Cmuk paleosols. The leaves were impressions only, but this locality holds promise like no other in the Clarno Formation for preservation of cuticles. This locality may correlate to somewhere near 28 m in the master section, and is in "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Graminophyllum sp.: leaf (P11680A,B=JODA3880)

Litseaphyllum presanguinea: leaf (P11681=JODA3881)

Meliosma sp. cf. M simplicfolia: leaf (P11679=JODA3882)

L1758 Upper "Black Spur" trench

These fossils were found in a trench excavated into claystones and coal measures on the south facing hillside below a prominent basalt flow of "Black Spur", 0.5 miles northwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 Sect. 27 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703118E 497732N). The locality is 150 m to the north and above the foot trail from Hancock Field Station to the mammal quarry (L775). It is no longer exposed because the trench was filled, but is 1 m stratigraphically below the scoriaceous base of the overlying basalt flow. These root-like markings were found in a weakly bedded white claystone bed, that appears to be a Pasct paleosol developed on a lacustrine shale. Only fragmentary plant remains were found and all are preserved as impressions only. This locality may correlate to somewhere near 38 m in the master section, and is in the "lahars of Hancock Canyon" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Tracheophyta gen. et sp. indet.: woody root traces (P11682=JODA3883)

L1759 Middle cave east Bat Barn

This locality is on a knoll overlooking highway 218 in the hills north of an old barn frequented for the study of bats and owls, 0.8 miles southwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 34 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702406E 4976263N). The fossils are in a small overhang on the western brow of the rocky knoll. The leaf impression carne from a 20 cm thickness of siltstones overlying a Sayayk paleosol developed on a lahar. Potential for further collection is limited by overburden. Other localities very close at hand are L1854, L1855, and L1856, which are from different strata in and around the overhang. This siltstone has been eroded out to create the local overhang here. This locality correlates to 8 m or lower in the master section, and is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Litseaphyllum praesanguinea: leaf (P11683=JODA3884)

L1760 Upper Palisades

This locality is in a gully of the Palisades, overlooking Indian Canyon and highway 218, 0.8 miles southeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 35 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 705208E 496295N). This horizon is high in south-facing cliffs (elevation 1700') about 50 m west of the point where the cliff line changes orientation to east facing. Fossil leaf impressions are common in a thin seam of purple and green silstone at the top of a lahar. This is probably a leaf litter of a Sayayk paleosol. This locality correlates to 8 m or lower in the master section, and is in "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Alnus clarnoensis: leaf (P11684=JODA3885)

L1761 Lower north "Indian Maiden Knolls"

This locality is the base of an extensive overhanging lahar in the head of a gully draining west from "Indian Maiden Knolls", 0.6 miles southeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 35 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703942E 4926833N). This is the last lahar in this area and forms an extensive overhang surrounding the head of the steep gully south of "Equisetum Canyon" and north of a gully largely formed in andesite close to highway 218 to the south. This gully and the southerly gully give the appearance of a reclining woman when as viewed from the west, and thus the name "Indian Maiden Knolls". The fossil leaves are ferruginized impressions that form a foliar roof to the overhang, which has eroded a Sayayk paleosol. They can be collected from large blocks in the gully bed, but some larger overturned blocks covered with leaves make a spectacular display in place. Potential for further collection of this horizon is limited. Fossil leaves also occur up to 40 cm above this level in the lahar (as locality L1861). This locality may correlate to a level of 17 m in the master section. It is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation, middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Litseaphyllum sp. cf. "Laurophyllum" merrilli; leaf (P11988=JODA3886)

Cinnamomophyllum sp. cf. "Cryptocarya" eocenica: leaf (P11987=JODA3887)

Meliosma sp. cf. M. simplicfolia: leaf (P11986=JODA3888)

L1777 Iron Mountain

This locality is an area of badlands high on the western face of Iron Mountain, 3 miles north of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 SW1/4 NE1/4 NW1/4 Sect 15 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702218E 497626 1N). The locality is at an elevation of 2900 feet. A single fossil collected is a sample of a large permineralized log, at least 1 m long and 60 cm in diameter, lying prone in a cherty tan Micay paleosol within the light brown claystones here. This level is above the basalts of Member F of the John Day Formation and below the Columbia River Basalts. It is from the Turtle Cove Member of the John Day Formation, and late Oligocene (lower Arikareean) in age.

Coniferales gen. et sp. indet.: permineralized wood (P11794=JODA3889)

L1854 Middle knoll east "Bat Barn"

This locality is on a knoll overlooking highway 218 in the hills north of an old barn frequented for the study of bats and owls, 0.8 miles southwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 34 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702406E 4976261N). These leaf impressions are from a low exposure of a 20 cm thickness of siltstones 2 m south along strike from the overhang on the eastern brow of the knoll (L1759), and perhaps 10 cm higher within the siltstones than at that locality. This is a weathered surface exposure of the siltstone suitable for extensive further quarrying. The siltstones overlie a Sayayk paleosol developed on a lahar. Other localities very close at hand are L1855, and L1856. This locality correlates to 8 m or lower in the master section, and is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Cyathea pinnata: leaf (P11976=JODA3842) Magnolia leei: leaf (P11977=JODA3843)

Litseaphyllum sp. cf. "Laurophyllum" merrilli: leaf (P11978=JODA3840)

Macginitea angustiloba: leaf (P11975=JODA3844)

L1855 Upper cave east "Bat Barn"

This locality is on a knoll overlooking highway 218 in the hills north of an old barn frequented for the study of bats and owls, 0.8 miles southwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 34 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702406E 4976263N). These leaf impressions are from a sandy conglomerate seam in rocks forming the roof of the overhang, 20 cm above the stratigraphic level of fossiliferous silstones (L1759, L1854) that have weathered to form the overhang. These fossils are in a Sayayk paleosols and the potential for further collecting is limited. Another locality very close at hand is L1856. This locality correlates to 8 m or lower in the master section, and is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Goweria dilleri sp.: leaf (P11979A,B=JODA3890)

Meliosma sp. cf. M. simplicfolia: leaf (P11980=JODA3836, P11981=JODA3837)

L1856 Lower cave east "Bat Barn"

This locality is on a knoll overlooking highway 218 in the hills north of an old barn frequented for the study of bats and owls, 0.8 miles southwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 34 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702406E 4976263N). Leaf impressions are in a thin seam of siltstone immediately overlying the basal lahar, overlain by 20 cm of fossiliferous siltstone (L1759, L1854), which are in turn overlain by an additional fossiliferous horizon (L1855). The leaves at this locality are poorly preserved impressions that form a leaf litter to a Sayayk paleosol. This horizon is difficult to collect within the recess of the overhang. This locality correlates to 8 m or lower in the master section, and is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Litseaphyllum praelingue: leaf (P11982=JODA3891)

L1857 Knoll north "Bat Barn"

This locality is high on the eastern face of a hill 300 m north of the abandoned barn frequented as a haunt of bats and owls, 200 north of highway 218 near the turnoff of the road leading south along the John Day River and 0.8 miles southwest of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (SE1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 Sect. 34 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 702151E 4976417N). Leaf impressions are in a silty seam, representing the surface of a Sayayk paleosol, between thick lahars. It is probably the same horizon that yielded fossils on the knoll to the east (L1759, L1854, L1655, L1856) and correlated to 8 m or lower in the master section. Potential for further fossils is limited by steepness and thickness of overburden. This is from the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation, and is middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) in age.

Acer clarnoense: leaf (P11983A,B=JODA3892)

L1858 Upper "Equisetum Canyon"

This locality is blocks of siltstone on top of the last lahar, which forms a small waterfall in the upper part of the southern fork of "Equisetum Canyon", 0.7 miles east of Hancock Field Station, Clarno (SW1/4 SE1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 NE1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 35 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703978E 4977174N). The fossiliferous horizon is a thin seam of leaf impressions in sandstones and siltstone capping the last lahar in this area. It represents a leaf litter of a Sayayk paleosol. The top of the waterfall exposes extensive bedding planes below the fossiliferous layer, which is amenable to quarrying here. This horizon can be correlated to a level of 18 m in the master section. It is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation, and is of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Macginitea angustiloba: leaf (P11984=JODA3893)

L1859 Central "Equisetum Canyon"

This locality consists of large blocks littering "Equisetum Canyon" near the junction of its north and south forks, 0.4 miles east of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NW1/4 NE1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 35. T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703804E 4977056N). The boulders show a spectacular array of leaf impressions within thin layers between lahar beds, here interpreted as leaf litters of Sayayk paleosols. The original position of the fossiliferous layer is in the walls of the canyon, at an elevation of about 1700', where collection is difficult because of steepness and thickness of overburden. The fallen blocks are a source of large slabs of museum display quality, although helicopter support would be needed to move them. This horizon probably correlates to 8 m or lower in the master section. It is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation, and is middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) in age)

Joffrea speirsii: leaf (P11985=JODA3894)

Goweria dilleri: leaf (P11985=JODA3895)

Juglans sp.: leaflet (P11985=JODA3896)

L1860 Upper north "Equisetum Canyon"

This locality is a high bench formed by the highest lahar on the spur, northwest of "Equisetum Canyon", 300 m east of Hancock Field Station (SE1/4 SW1/4 NE1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 35 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703687E 4977222N). Fossil leaves are in silty beds of a Sayayk paleosol on top of the lahar that forms this high bench. The matrix is strongly jointed so that complete leaves are difficult to obtain, although the site would be easy to quarry. This locality correlates to about 55 m in the master section and correlates with the "Nut Beds" of the Clarno Formation of middle Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) age.

Equisetum clarnoi: stem (P12135=JODA3817)

Litseaphyllum praelingue: leaf (P12133=JODA3806, P12124=JODA3904)

Goweria dilleri: leaf (P12135=JODA3816)

L1861 Upper north "Indian Maiden Knolls"

This locality is an overhanging lahar in the head of a gully draining west from "Indian Maiden Knolls", 0.6 miles southeast of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 SE1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 35 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703942E 4976833N). This is the last lahar in this area and forms an extensive overhang surrounding the head of the steep gully south of "Equisetum Canyon" and north of a gully largely formed in andesite close to highway 218 to the south. This gully and the southerly gully give the appearance of a reclining woman when viewed from the west, and thus the name "Indian Maiden Knolls". Fragmentary leaf impressions, often curled as if dry, can be collected from large blocks in the gully bed. Potential for further collection of this horizon is limited. Fossil leaves also occur up to 40 cm above the base of the lahar (which is locality L1761). This locality may correlate to a level of 17 m in the master section. It is in the "lahars of the Palisades" of the Clarno Formation, middle Eocene (Bridgerian) age.

Litseaphyllum sp. cf. "Laurophyllum" merrilli: leaf (P11990=JODA3897)

Diploclisia sp.: leaf (P11993=JODA3898)

Goweria dilleri: leaf (P11989=JODA3899)

Meliosma sp. cf. M. simplicfolia: leaf (P11991=JODA3900)

Juglans sp.: leaflets (P11992=JODA3901)

1873 Lower north "Equisetum Canyon"

This locality is a silty bed beneath a thick lahar on a knoll northwest of "Equisetum Canyon", 300 m east of Hancock Field Station, near Clarno (NE1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 NW1/4 NW1/4 Sect. 35 T7S R19E Clarno 7.5' Quad., UTM zone 10 703627E 4977213N). The silty bed preserves a fossil leaf litter of leaves in a Sayayk paleosol beneath the massive lahar that forms the knoll here. The horizon is about 5 m below the top of the knoll and nearby locality L1860. I can be correlated to a level of about 50 m in the master section, or the "Nut Beds" of the Clarno Formation, of middle Eocene (Bridgerian) age.

Goweria dilleri; leaf (P12173=JODA3902)

Meliosma sp. cf. M. simplicifolia: leaf (P12174=JODA3903)

Note: Place names and rock units in quotation marks have not been approved by the U.S. Geological Survey, and are names informally proposed here or in wide use at Hancock Field Station. These collections are not comprehensive, and of a reconnaissance nature only, representing no more than an hour or so of collecting at each. Some localities, such as the "Nut Beds" (L685, L977), "Mammal Quarry" (L775) and "Slanting Leaf Beds" (L743), have yielded large collections of fossils beyond those reported here, and now housed in the Condon Collection of the University of Oregon, Florida State Museum, University of California at Berkeley and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.