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Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Rocks and Geology Around Las Vegas
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry

The Cadiz Trilobite Quarry, also called the Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area, is a small area with outcrops of fossil-bearing shale southeast of the ghost town of Cadiz. Trilobites here occur in the Latham Shale, a greenish to brownish shale dating from the lower Cambrian (about 518 mya). These trilobites belong to the family Olenellidae (commonly called olenellids). Extinct blue-green algae (genus Girvanella) are common too. Link to additional information about the area.

Access to the site is via dirt and sand roads that generally are fine for 2WD vehicles, but conditions change, so walk rather than risk getting stuck. The quarry sites are on the prow of a hill above the access road. The area has been quarried for years, so follow the old road, looking for use-trails and quarry pits.

Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area

Link to map.

Cadiz Trilobite Quarry Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Girvanella, an extinct genus of blue-green algae
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Girvanella, an extinct genus of blue-green algae
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Cadiz Road (view E from the pavement)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Cadiz road at access road (view N from railroad bed)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Access Road (view ENE)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Access Road (view NE)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Access Road approaching 2WD trailhead (view NE)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Beyond the 2WD trailhead (view N)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Beyond the 2WD trailhead (view N)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
4WD trailhead (view S)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Trail to quarry site (turn up hillside; view N)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
West quarry site (view N)
Cadiz Trilobite QuarryWest quarry site (view W) Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
South quarry site (view SE)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
South quarry site (view NW)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Returning to the trailhead (view S from South Quarry Site)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
4WD trailhead (view SW along access road)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
4WD trailhead (view S along access road)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Campsite road (view NNE)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Campsite (view NE)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Campsite (view SW)
Cadiz Trilobite Quarry
Campsite (view SW)

Table 1. Highway and Hiking Coordinates based on GPS Data (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download GPS Waypoints (gpx) file.

Wpt. Location UTM Easting UTM Northing Elevation (ft) Point-to-Point Distance (mi) Cumulative Distance (mi) Verified
00 Hwy 66 at Cadiz Road 34.56181 115.54333 756 0.00 0.00 GPS
01 Cadiz Rd at Dirt Road 34.53395 115.52156 762 4.44 4.44 GPS
02 Road Intersection 34.52794 115.48838 836 0.66 5.10 GPS
03 Road Intersection 34.52730 115.48435 855 0.22 5.32 GPS
04 2WD Trailhead 34.53405 115.47610 971 0.70 6.02 GPS
05 4WD Trailhead 34.53492 115.47580 1,002 0.07 6.09 GPS
06 Quarry Site South 34.53627 115.47581 1,103 0.16 6.25 GPS
07 Quarry Site West 34.53647 115.47591 1,096 0.02 6.27 GPS
08 campsite 34.53266 115.48428 915 . . GPS

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240331

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