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
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