Ramanessin Brook is a Cretaceous era site containing shark and fish teeth. Some invertebrate fossils such as crab claws and burrows can be found, but shells and belemnites are rare at this location. Occasionally a mosasaur tooth, dinosaur material, or an arrow head is found. Big Brook is a better known nearby site (online search terms: Big Brook Fossils).
Collecting is by sifting the gravel in the creek bed or scouting the gravel bars. Digging is not allowed in the banks, just as with the cliffs near Calvert. Equipment: sieve with ¼” mesh or a colander, small shovel or trowel, collecting bags, old shoes or hip boots for wading, water, snacks and a sandwich. Bring a towel to dry/clean up and a change of clothes for the ride home. There are no rest room facilities at the site.
Site conditions: The collecting area is a short walk through the woods with a steep 4-6ft bank down to the creek. The bank can be muddy and slippery. Once in the water, it is usually shin-deep or so. There can be some deeper pools and logs to get over/under/around. The creek is well shaded and usually has few bugs, but still bring sunscreen and bug spray.
Travel time: Ramanessin Brook is about a 3hr drive from the Baltimore area. We’ll meet at 10 AM (please call George if you’re going to be late), and you can leave when you wish.
Directions: I95-N to I295-E Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ Tpk-N to Exit 8 Rt33-E to Rt537-E to Freehold to Rt79-N to Rt520-E to (Holmdel) Middletown Rd-N. Detailed directions and a map will be emailed to registrants prior to the trip.
Meet in small parking lot on corner of Middletown and McCampbell Rds, next to Holmdel Village school and historic Dr Cooke Office. Google maps lists 67 McCampbell Rd for both the Village School and Ramanessin Brook Greenway Trail.
The trip will be cancelled if there’s rain or high water levels in the creek.
For more detailed directions or questions, contact George Fox: GeorgeFox555@msn.com, 302-993-6408.
For registration questions or for more information about the NHSM Fossil Club, contact the club coordinator (mfalk@marylandnature.org).
After collecting and before driving home, consider stopping for dinner at one of the many restaurants in downtown Freehold or at Jersey Freeze (known for ice cream/hamburgers/picnic grove), located west of downtown at Rt33 business and Rt9.
Natural History Society of Maryland’s Fossil Club is a group of novice and more experienced collectors who meet to exchange knowledge, help with fossil identification, and discuss fossil locations and other fossil-related topics. Monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month and are open to all.
If you are a fossil enthusiast, please consider joining (https://www.marylandnature.org/club-membership/). NHSM membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families. The Natural History Society of Maryland is a volunteer-led non-profit organization, so the fee you pay will go directly to support the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Learn more about NHSM Clubs: https://youtu.be/pIA7naRjXws
Location
Ramenessin Brook
