Lovelock Agate (NV R2, Site 33)

by Jessi on June 22, 2010

Directions: The directions were easy enough to follow, but the road to the left and the “parking area” to the right sort of sneak up on you. (There is a lot of sage and grass growing in them, so perhaps they are getting harder to see as time goes by). There is plenty of parking, and we found a teaser of what was in store for us in the parking lot…people must throw out what they don’t feel like carrying home with them!

Date: 6/15/2010

Comments: This place is amazing! While I don’t know exactly what we collected, there were more beautiful pieces of pink, orange and red “Opalite?” than I knew what to do with! We didn’t travel too far down the gully, but filled our buckets within a half an hour (the dogs were waiting in the truck). We found a few nice pieces of petrified wood, and left very happy! This is another place that may not be good to start a road trip with….because after finding this many good stones, you will be spoiled if you aren’t just swimming in agate and opalite!

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Fallon Agate (NV R3, Site 45)

by Jessi on June 22, 2010

Directions: We were not able to find the wash area, but did make it to Green Mountain. The map in the book shows the road going straight past the “pits”, but in reality, the road has to zig-zag around the mine property. But once you are past the mine, any road will get you out to Green Mountain. (Some roads are in much better condition than others)

Date: 6/14/2010

Comments: While we weren’t able to make it to the wash, we did snoop around Green Mountain for a bit. The mountain looks sort of like a castle, and the green rhyolite deposits are very striking. There is also a reddish rock that is bubbled, making a very interesting pattern. I think it must be some sort of volcanic deposit, but honestly looks just like the material they use to make the common red paver blocks for your backyard.

 

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Fallon Wonderstone (NV R3, Site 44)

by JessiJune 22, 2010 Gem Trails by State

Directions: We just got back from a road trip to NV, and this was the first stop we made. The directions were easy enough to follow, but we did arrive after dark, so that made it a little challenging. There are so many small roads leading to the left and right, so we just tried [...]

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Coulterville (N CA Site 63)

by FishBonzJune 9, 2010 California - Northern

Visited the Mariposite site at the intersection of Hwy 132 and 49 yesterday. The exposed Mariposite is in the road cut on the NW side of the intersection and is impossible to miss. (A number of guides mention a roadcut on the SW side of the intersection, but there is no cut present.) [...]

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Chalk Bluff (N CA Site 46)

by FishBonzJune 9, 2010 California - Northern

Visited this site last year, and am sad to say that the bluffs are now posted ‘No Trespassing’.

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Lake Wenatchee (WA R3 Site 40)

by JessiJune 1, 2010 Gem Trails by State

Directions: I was apprehensive about finding this site easily, but I was pleasantly surprised when I realized how accessable it was (mind you that I did have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, which isn’t necessary, but there were some big potholes on the drive up that could give a low-clearance car some issues). The viewpoint at [...]

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Whiskey Run (OR R4, Site 81, GR)

by JerryMay 16, 2010 Gem Trails by State

This post by dkatski50 added as a comment to “How to Use GemTrails.com” and moved here by the admin.
This site is spectacular! The creek runs right down by the beach access trail so you don’t have far to go once you park. After about an hour we had a nice collection of large to medium [...]

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Myrtle Creek (OR R4, Site 99 GR)

by JerryMay 16, 2010 Gem Trails by State

This post by dkatski50 added as a comment to “How to Use Use GemTrails.com” and moved here by the admin.
This site is now closed to public access. At least by the route given in the book. The road to the gravel bar is posted as private property and no trespassing. There appears to be another [...]

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Ginko Petrified Forest (WA Site 44)

by JerryMay 3, 2010 Gem Trails by State

Directions: This is a well known state park outside the town of Vantage off I-90.
Google Map
Date: May 2010
Notes: If you’re in the area, this is a must stop. The collections and displays in the interpretive center are wonderful and there is a great variety of logs around the center. One of the few Ginko [...]

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Saddle Mountains (WA Site 45)

by JerryMay 3, 2010 Gem Trails by State

Directions: Garret’s directions and map are accurate. We were with a long time Saddle Mountain digger who showed us several additional digs beyond those Garret describes. Note that digging is not allowed in some posted areas.
Google Map
Date: May 2010
Notes: We visited this site as a field trip with our club, Central Oregon Rock Collectors. It [...]

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