From the category archives:

Gem Trails by State

Yermo (SoCal, Region 3, Site 47)

by pshiromaNovember 22, 2011 California - Southern

Directions: Mitchell’s map is fine.
Date: November, 2012
Site Notes: We skipped sites A and B and were going to head up to sites C and D. However, after making the left hand turn to the west of the dump, I began to notice a lot of large agates in the road bed and in the wash, [...]

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Rainbow Ridge Opal (NV Site 23)

by JerrySeptember 26, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: The book directions are fine and the site is easily reached. Mitchell doesn’t mention that the campground is available and free (first come basis). Dry camping only, but water is available and there is a shower room and a warm spring fed pool.
Date: June 2011
Notes: The weather was perfect in early June, but it [...]

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White Fir (OR Site 36 GR)

by JerrySeptember 26, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: Garret’s directions are good (as always). The sign “Agate Beds” actually leads to the jasper egg area, while the real agate eggs are at the 4.3 mile mark, up to the right, just before the camping area.
Date: August 2011
Notes: We worked both the jasper and agate beds and had good success at both. Find [...]

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Rabbit Hills (OR Site 76 GR)

by JerrySeptember 26, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: It can get confusing with many roads wandering around the area, but follow the map or directions in the book, watch for the signs and you should be fine. The public campground is free and very nice, with ramadas, tables and restrooms (dry camp only).
Date: June 2011
Notes: While we know folks who have found [...]

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Hector Hills (S CA Region 2, Site 34)

by pshiromaJune 5, 2011 California - Southern
Thumbnail image for Hector Hills (S CA Region 2, Site 34)

Over the Memorial Day weekend we visited the Hector Hills location. Mitchell’s map is fine although the site is expansive and takes more time than we had available.
The road heading south from 66 that eventually connects to the Hector Mine is a well maintained county road fully passable by standard passenger cars. For those without [...]

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Lavic Jasper (S CA Region 2, Site 33 B)

by pshiromaJune 5, 2011 California - Southern
Thumbnail image for Lavic Jasper (S CA Region 2, Site 33 B)

We visited site B of the Lavic entry on Monday, May 30.
Mitchell’s map is fine although note that the rail road crossing no longer exists. The road is well maintained and passable by standard passenger vehicles.
Due to some mechanical issues with my car, we only went part of the way down Lavic road and stayed [...]

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Dubinky Well (UT Site 81)

by JerryApril 10, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: We found Site A fairly easily, but there is one correction to the book: The Dubinky Well sign is on the side road, not on SR 313. Find the sign and you will find the site. We didn’t go to Site B.
Date: April 2011
Notes: This is a strange locale for hunting agate. It’s a [...]

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Crescent Junction #2 (UT Site 74)

by JerryApril 6, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: This site should be named Klondike Bluffs. The mileage in the book is slightly off, in that there is no side road at 1.6 miles. Basically follow the main road 4.1 miles from US 191, bearing right at the only real junction. At 4.1 miles there are side roads left and right. Take the [...]

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Potash Road (UT Site 80)

by JerryApril 6, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: We only visited Site B. We found the site with no difficulty, but to simplify: Go to the end of SR 279 and continue past the Potash plant to the end of the paved road. There is a cattle guard and an ORV staging area on the left. Continue up the gravel road 1.6 [...]

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Socorro Fossils (NM Site 16)

by JerryApril 3, 2011 Gem Trails by State

Directions: The map in the book is fine. Follow the signs to the Quebrada Back Country Byway. The book photo is in error; the road is not paved. Also the hiking directions are a little confusing as the fossil bearing limestone strata are in the hills on the left side of the wash as you [...]

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