Directions: Mitchell’s directions will get you to Site A and Site C, but we don’t think Site B exists. There simply is no road to the east of CA SR 78 at the indicated mileage, nor for a mile in either direction. At Site A we chose to park below the steep hill and walk up. If anyone has additional information on Site B, please leave a comment.
Google Map
Date: January 2009
Notes: At Site A we had some luck digging on the north side of the small wash across from the main digging area on the hill. You need to make sure you are digging in undisturbed ash layers, not earlier tailings. We came away with a range of nodules up to 5″ or 6″. We have not yet cut them, but we found many broken nodules that contain pink and orange common opal. We found very little at Site C despite searching over quite a large area.
Update: We have now cut several of the larger nodules, finding that they are indeed geodes with nice pink to orange agate patterns and crystal-lined cavities at the centers. Worth the effort!
Update Jan 2010: We revisited the site and again came away with several pounds of nodules, including one compound specimen about 7″ in diameter. We also located paleolithic coral along the east side of the highway, about a mile south of Site A. There appeared to be several locations scattered a few hundred yards off the roadway. Some chunks range to 30 pounds.
Paleozoic coral, 30# block
Cut geodes. Quartz druzy doesn't show up very well.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Just found this site and I think it is terrific.
I would love to see pictures of the geodes you found at this site.
We are planning a trip to Gold Basin in the near future. We’ll try and find site B.
Thanks for the info.
This photo doesn’t do the geodes justice. They have sparkly quartz or calcite druzy centers.
Jerry, thanks for sharing. This is awesome information. We’ll be planning trip out there as well!
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