Youll be in the mouth of a canyon, near the springs. The effort is mostly centered on old claims in theAmasa Valley, southwest of Marjum Canyon. Most pieces are black but some reddish-brown and snowflake obsidian can be found. Obviously, it seems silly to randomly dig holes all over the mountainside, but you might have similar luck checking holes where someone (or something) has already done the work for you. $24.95. I live in Idaho and Id like to head down that way, but not if its for nothing. As always, please let me know if you have any new information on ANY of these locations or if I have any incorrect information. Almost all of the mine shafts in this particular area have been covered, but I would still keep a close eye on the kiddos. After the left at about .34 mi the right turn is marked by a couple of posts. Most pieces are black but some reddish-brown and snowflake obsidian can be found. FYI, their are no trespassing signs all along the road. This part of the state is probably the best place to find semiprecious gemstones like agate, jasper, and petrified wood, particularly in Emery and Grand Counties. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Big J and I had the chance to do one last hoorah before winter sets in and snow covers all of our favorite spots. We didnt run into too many other people around the area (Probably because of the season), but I did notice that many of the trees on and around the hill had been cut down with all of the limbs cut off and left there. It is commonly called Bacon or Candy Strip Opal, but is also referred to as Hyalite Opal. Agate Hill Inn Corner of Spencer and Cave Avenues Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829 Phone: (719)685-0685 . 1594 North Temple Along the main road going north of this tree is the abandoned site of the Antelope Springs Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp established in the 1930s. Alunite, Azurite, Barite, Cerussite, Chysocolla, Copper, Galena, Limonite, Malachite, Variscite, Wulfenite, Hematite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, etc. Drive another 10.4 miles to the four way stop in the town of Francis and go straightonto UT-35 East/W Main Village Way, 6. The road will make a right turn to the left along the north edge of the camp. This cache is hidden on a hill covered with agate that we've been to a few times. It is just Northwest of the marker I placed on the map. . Take Nephi exit 228 and keep right on Main Street (SW) for 2.7 miles, 3. Follow that road 17 miles to the Denderite site. its our first rock hounding. Salt Lake City, UT 84114 Early Ordovician fossil-bearing rock from six distinct rock formations roughly 485 to 470 million years old are to be found: the House Limestone, Fillmore Formation, Wah Wah Limestone, Juab Limestone, Kanosh Shale, and Lehman Limestone. Azurite, Cerussite, Copper, Chalcopyrite, Cuprite, Galena, Gold, Limonite, Malachite, Orpiment, Pyrite, Quartz, Realgar, Rhodochrosite, Sphalerite, etc. The recurring colors I was seeing were yellow, white, brown, pink, red, orange, and grey. There are a lot of trees so you can find plenty of shade which is nice, Has any one been to this location recently Im wanting to go with my husband and 2 kids my 2 yr old son lives rocks and Im slowly teaching/learning about rock my self. A COLOSSAL AGATE FIELD BETWEEN SUMMIT AND CEDAR CITY, UTAHBy: James R. Mitchell(Originally appeared in Western and Eastern Treasures, December 1983) Only a short distance south of Summit, Utah, is a vast agate collecting area. 324 South State They have an excavator on site and are constantly digging up new clay to sift through to get to the geodes. You might even get lucky and schedule your time while the claim owners are on location. Any information will be very much appreciated. They are uprooting all the juniper trees so the water table is higher. Utah Rockhound Guide: Thomas Range Pt. The ground this day was lightly dusted with snow and the creek was mostly frozen over, but we bundled up and braved the wind and the cold for a day of nice hunting. Apache Tears (round nodules of obsidian) form if water is present during the cooling of obsidian lava. Many people like to combine their trip out to Topaz Mountain with a stop over to the Dugway Geode Beds because of their close proximity to each other. From here the trail turns sketchy and I would recommend a high clearance vehicle to navigate the roads through the beds. Some of the more common specimens found in the area are cerussite, bornite, azurite, malachite, pyrite, and galena. Agate Hill Inn sits at the base of Pikes Peak in the historic district of Manitou Springs. I gladly complied. Other sources include: Connecticut Rockhounding Location Guide & Map, Massachusetts Rockhounding Location Guide & Map. The southern region of the state is home to expansive sandstone plateaus that turn up nice specimens of quartz-family minerals such as agate, jasper, petrified wood, and septarian nodules. Any news since April 5th? The beauty of the area surrounding this location really is extraordinary. Azurite, Bornite, Brochantite, Carnotite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Gold, Hematite, Hyalite, Malachite, etc. Mahogany, snowflake, and black obsidian can be found on the hillsides and on the roadbeds near Coyote Spring and Black Spring. I love this area! Barite, Calcite, Chlorite, Epidote, Galena, Garnet, Magnetite, Sphalerite, Spinal, Tetrahedrite, Cerussite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, Azurite, etc. Azurite, Barite, Chalcopyrite, Goethite, Limonite, Magnetite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, Selenite, Siderite, Stilbite, Tourmaline, Wollastonite, etc. The fee for collecting on the claim is just $30 and you can contact the owners at 435-864-2402 or [emailprotected] ahead of time to arrange your visit. From the turnoff you can clearly see the mountain. Bieberite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Marcasite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Uraninite, etc. November 19, 2014 3264 1840 Brian Head Agate. Now we are trying to find how to polish them and make them shining. Agate Hill is at the intersection of Spencer and Cave Avenues. (435) 864-3638 Use this resource as a guide to get you started. Turn north on the dirt road and drive about two miles, then turn west toward Topaz Mountain. Turn left (East) onto UT-20 E and drive 20.5 miles to US-89, 3. Thanks for your postings and tips on where to seek rocks and minerals in beautiful Utah. Magnetite, Wulfenite, Azurite, Bornite, Diopside, Garnet, Magnetite, Malachite, Apatite, Pyrite, Scheelite, etc. Anhydrite, Carnallite, Gypsum, Halite, Polyhalite, Sylvite, Anhydrite, Carnotite, Gypsum, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Gold, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Azurite, Bornite, Limonite, Calcite. The left fork at .68 mi is really just staying on ESR. A wide variety of rocks, minerals and fossils can be found in our West Desert country. If you remember, we were coming from the Brian Head location and I noticed we passed several lava flows on Highway 143 while en route to this location. My name is Jerry, and I was looking at your website and was very impressed with your description of the Milford Opal mine that I have leased from the State. Directions to Agate Hill near Bryce Canyon: From the intersection of 800 North and I-15 in Orem, Utah, 1. In the town of Panguitch, turn right (South) onto US-89 for 10.1 miles until you get to a dirt road on the left hand side called Casto Canyon Road, 4. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Apache tears can be found off the south west side of Topaz Mountain. Visit Garden of the Gods, take a driveor tour to Pike's Peak, go zip lining or take a cave tour. From my limited knowledge on how agates are formed, I assumed that the numerous amount of agate material was due to these large ancient lava beds. It will be on the left. Agate Hill Inn Corner of Spencer and Cave Avenues Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829 Phone: (719)685-0685 . Bismutite, Rhodochrosite, Fluorite, Quartz, Azurite, Cerussite, Galena, Malachite, Calcite, Garnet, Limonite, Pyrite, Wulfenite, Sphalerite, etc. Though there are many locations listed here, this list is far from exhaustive. Sorry for the delay in response. It is definitely NOT what you would picture Southern Utah to look like, but Id say well worth the trip even just for the views. I suspect that if you go on the weekends youll have better luck. Scattered on the gray- and brown-colored hills are pieces of agate, chert, jasper, and petrified wood, as well as large black boulders deposited by ancient streams. This is a chance for anyone reading this to help me out though ha ha ha! As with most states, each county in Utah will have records of who owns each piece of property. Turn right (West) on the dirt road there (NOT the one into the Geneva gravel pit) 6. inside a cavity etc). Up to 25 pounds per day plus one piece per person is allowed. My parents wanted to get me a birthday present that was customized to me. Chalcedony, Chert, Limonite, Pyrite, Quartz, Variscite, Fossils, Endellite, Halloysite, Olivine (in basalt), Actinolite, Andradite, Argentite, Cordierite, Galena, Garnet, Gold, Prehnite, Scheelite, Silver, Sphene, Zircon, Manganite, Psilomelane, Pyrolusite, Sulfur. Previous Image. Following the directions where it says go right /north for .32 miles there is a rockslide at .3 miles blocking the road so we parked right there and walked the rest of the way. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Utah which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. Aragonite, Bloedite, Glauberite, Halite, Thenardite, etc. I really hope it wont be closed for good. From Caineville, travel 8.5 miles west on Utah Highway 24 to where the road crests over a pass. Agate, chert, and jasper are varieties of microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz (quartz having crystals that are too small to be detected with a hand lens) that have either a waxy or a dull luster. This area is super fun to explore in general. On the north side of the road, collecting can begin next to the road and continue up the hillslopes. Did you mean left if coming from 20 and the North? Azurite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Chlorite, Chrysocolla, Galena, Gold, Gypsum, Jarosite, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, Siderite, Sphalerite, etc. Downtown Colorado Springs is just four miles away. Several specialized programs comprise the UGS: Data Management, Energy & Minerals, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Information & Outreach, Geologic Mapping, Groundwater & Wetlands, and Paleontology. Learn how your comment data is processed. It's a Large size geocache, with difficulty of 1.5, terrain of 2. Turn left (South) onto North Main Street for 1.2 miles, 3. No matter where you are in the state of Utah there is bound to be a large selection of rocks and minerals to search for somewhere nearby. Follow US Hwy 6/50 west from Delta for about 54 miles to the Painter Springs Road. Red, white, orange streaked, caramel colored. One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. Follow it for about 3 miles, to where a dirt road forks south. On Google Earth or Google satellite view you can see this from above as a large white area on the map where the dirt road drops down a bit. Bornite, Carnotite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Pyrite, Uraninite, etc. Topaz, Utahs state gem, is a semiprecious gemstone that occurs as very hard, transparent crystals in a variety of colors. Chapel Hill, N.C. : Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2006. We never saw any no trespassing signs. A locations listing here is not a guarantee of accuracy. I am offering Field Trips to the public by Scheduled Appointment. : Took me a few tries, but I found it! Its October and Im thinking Id like to go before the snow. Downtown Colorado Springs is just four miles away. Near this intersection Apache Tears can be found scattered on the surface of the ground. Joining up with a local rockhounding club for a group trip can often get you access to otherwise off-limits locations like privately owned mines and quarries. My brother and I went to remote area in SE Oregon. website. Agate, Agatized clams, Jasper, Petrified wood, Corvusite, Selenium, Uraninite, Autunite, etc. Topaz, pseudobrookite, specular hematite, and bixbyite occur in cavities in the Keg Mountains Rhyolite. Turn west on the Brush Wellman road and travel 38 miles until you reach the Topaz Mountain sign. be warned/prepared! Awesome directions and finds!! I think the majority of shooters generally go over to the Lake Mountains up North or maybe further out into the West Desert. Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, Mailing Address: Many people we had asked about this location mentioned that it was about a mile and a half from the base of the canyon. Hunting and collecting sunstones glittering in the sun atop Sunstone Knoll is a great way to spend an afternoon, especially with kids. We were still able to find some really great stuff including black and red jasper pieces. Turn left (East) onto UT-20 E and drive 20.5 miles to US-89 3. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; The petrified wood is tan and found in small pieces. Oxide patterns color these rocks to make them look like plant fossils. Work the canyon bottom and foothills for specimens. Turn onto Casto Canyon Road, cross the bridge and hang left, and drive 2.4 miles in total from the highway to the location on the left. Enjoy an old fashioned traditional veranda that invites you to sit, relax and enjoy our gardens or the foothills of Pike's Peak. Turn south on U.S. Highway 6 and drive for approximately five miles. Im guessing this location is just too close to town and to other active mines in the area for shooting. Continue driving on Pioneer Crossing for another 5.3 miles. The Tintic Mining Museum is right there on the downtown strip or, right as you get into town, there is a small restaurant called the 3 Prospectors. Sunday, May 4, 2008 Thomas Range Pt. I noticed right off the bat several large boulders of agate just chilling right there in the creek. Agate Hill Inn Corner of Spencer and Cave Avenues Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829 Phone: (719)685-0685 . Azurite, Barite, Cerussite, Galena, Jamesonite, Malachite, Pyrite. Thanks again for your comment! Im sure there are multiple agate hills throughout the world, but the two I know of in Utah are one located in the Drum Mountains South of Topaz Mountain and another one located Southeast of Panguitch near the West wall of Bryce Canyon National Park. To Kanosh. Just spent 2 great collection days here at lovely agate hill, & what a view too. They manage a rock shop in their backyard called the Bug House in addition to overseeing the Dugway Geode Beds claim as well as the the U-Dig trilobite claim further West of Delta. Turn left (East) onto UT-20 E and drive 20.5 miles to US-89, 3. Follow that road west as if you were going to Topaz Mountain. There are abandoned mines and mine dumps scattered everywhere. Depending on the cottage spare bedrooms have either twin or full beds. I am a little reluctant to post this since I havent exactly become an expert on this particular area just yet. Currently Rockhounding 33.3K subscribers Join Subscribe 8.3K Share Save 256K views 1 year ago Let's talk about Agates and Jasper some. It is one of the few National Parks you can explore and take in most of it in just one day. Were you able to drive right up to the location or did you have to hike around? Bring a wide hammer Bring a pick and a chisel Bring eye protection Bring lots of water Don't expect to find any garnets of substantial size Don't go in the middle of the day when it's hot and sunny Getting there & other important notes: The official name is Garnet Fields Rockhound Area, but the locals call it Garnet Hill. Lacustrine and alluvial deposits of Quaternary age cover the older rocks and fill in the valleys. In the depression, one road goes east, the other goes north. Our vehicles GPS recognized Elberta Slant Rd (ESR) after we missed the first turnoff at this dirt road and went down the west side of the mountain on the paved road. We ended up going to several of the mine dumps in the mountains just East of town (really nice stuff!) The crystals formed within cavities of the Topaz Mountain Rhyolite, a volcanic rock which erupted approximately six to seven million years ago (Tertiary Period) from volcanic vents along faults in the area. Road was wet and muddy in places, i used 44 to stop sliding around. Thank you Jeremy! amzn_assoc_title = "Some of my favorite rockhounding gear from Amazon:"; Youll now begin your hike into Rileys canyon. About eBay; Bryce Canyon is my favorite National Park in Utah and, although the views from this area are mesmerizing in and of themselves, I would highly recommend a quick trip into the park itself. http://www.utahcountyonli.asp?av_serial=611180001. You can usually get the landowners name and address by visiting the county records office. I. I may have a trailer on the truck and would hate to not be able to turn around. Travel south to a bridge crossing the freeway to the west. Azurite, Barite, Calamine, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Galena, Gypsum, Kaolinite, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Wulfenite, Zircon, etc. Youll find some killer burgers and some proud Eurekans who are always good for a story or two. Denderite can be found in theAntelope Springsarea. For the general location, see ourrockhounding map. At this spot, you can see the towering sandstone monoliths in Capitol Reef National Park several miles to the west. Fossils include fusulinacea (fossil shells which can have either one or multiple chambers, some quite elaborate) and stromatoporoids (fossilized sponges). Tip: Check out my Complete Rock Tumbling Guide to make your rocks and gemstones really shine! Analcite, Anhydrite, Crocidolite, Fluorapatite, Illite, Pyrite, Bassanite, Dawnsite, Riebeckite, Shortite, etc. I went there last Tuesday with the person in our club that heard about the new road. Follow it for about 3 miles, to where a dirt road forks south. Why are they wanting to raise the water table? Good to hear you managed to grab some big ones as well. BLM land and National Forests account for a huge percentage of the land ownership in the state, allowing casual rockhounds to collect (within reasonable limits) in many locations without a permit. Hidden trails lace the lower hills - perfect for . Needless to say, Ive frequented this area quite a bit , From the intersection of 800 North and I-15 in Orem, Utah, 1. As a city dweller not from the area, its helpful to note that Main St is US Hwy 6 (west.) Enjoy an old fashioned traditional veranda that invites you to sit, relax and enjoy our gardens or the foothills of Pike's Peak. I was seeing were yellow, white, brown, pink, red, orange streaked, caramel colored variety. Other active mines in the area, its helpful to note that Main St is US 6/50! & Map, Massachusetts Rockhounding location Guide & Map are on location Amazon: ;! 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