From the category archives:

Arizona

Geronimo Trail Geodes (NM Site 60, AZ Site 75)

by JerryMarch 8, 2011 Arizona

Directions: We came in from Animas on the NM side and had no problems finding the locale. We had directions to a dig site that were not listed in the book. At 8 miles from the start of Geronimo Trail, turn left (south) on a side road marked by a sign “Black CCC Dam.” Bear [...]

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Black Hills Fire Agate (AZ Site 71)

by JerryMarch 1, 2011 Arizona

Directions: Book directions are accurate, but the turn is unmarked on US 191, so be watching right after MP 141. Also, the Thumb Butte site is (we think) at MP 144.
Date: February, March, 2011
Notes: We stayed several days at the BLM Black Hills Rockhound Area. There are several good camp sites nearby and we had [...]

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Wenden Dendritic Agate (AZ Site 5)

by JerryFebruary 1, 2011 Arizona

Directions: You may not find this site using the book directions. There is no stock pen. The road leading from the pipeline road is really a wash, but an easy one to travel. It is just beyond the red 45 mile pipeline marker, 12.8 miles on our odometer from Alamo Lake Rd. Bear right on [...]

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Oatman Fire Agate (AZ Site 4)

by JerryNovember 28, 2010 Arizona

Directions: The Gem Trails directions are accurate for this site. Look for the claims sign on the north side of the highway and park in the area just below.
Date: November 2010
Notes: We visited the site from nearby Laughlin, NV, on a cool, sunny late fall day. There are multiple claims in the area, but we [...]

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Trip to AZ

by BoomrockMarch 1, 2010 Arizona

We had a chance to do some rockhounding using the Gem Trails of AZ book as the primary resource the 22nd – 26th of February. This was our first trip using the GPS so the coordinates to the parking area was very useful.  Here are brief notes about a few sites:
Maricope green jaspar site 73.
2/22/10  [...]

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Big River Agate (S CA Site 21, AZ Site 60)

by JerryFebruary 13, 2010 Arizona

Directions: We only visited Site B. Mitchell’s directions to the site are accurate. The site is clearly identified by the dome-shaped hill composed of red rhyolite, see photo.
Google Map
Date: February 2010
Notes: We stopped at 3 locations, the first 1.4 miles from Hwy 62, then 2 miles, and finally at about 3 miles. We obtained jasper [...]

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Cargo Muchacho Mountains (S CA Site 8, AZ Site 56)

by JerryJanuary 19, 2010 Arizona

Directions: We only visited Site B, on Indian Pass Rd. Mitchell’s directions are accurate. Rather than park at the designated site, we ventured a short distance further east and took a side road off to the right which led about 1/4 mile over and down to a wash.
Google Map
GPS: 33.001 N 114.778 W
Date: January 2010
Notes: [...]

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St. David Selenite Clusters (AZ Site 81)

by JerryMarch 9, 2009 Arizona

Directions: Follow Mitchell’s directions from US 80 down Apache Powder Rd, but at the indicated mileage, the “ruts” are now a country road signed “Desert Rose Lane”. Follow it to the end, bear left and stay with the road until you reach the bluffs below the mesa.
Google Map
Date: February 2009
Notes: Don’t bother digging in the [...]

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Brenda Jasper (AZ Site 41)

by JerryMarch 7, 2009 Arizona

Directions: Follow Mitchell’s directions about 2 miles east of Brenda. Watch for the turnout on the south side of US 60. As indicated, it was easy to get through the barbed wire fencing to explore the area to the south. We didn’t try the north side.
Google Map
Date: January 2008
Notes: You will have no trouble filling [...]

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Crystal Hill (AZ Site 47)

by JerryMarch 6, 2009 Arizona

Directions: This site is easy to find, just follow Mitchell’s directions. There is no longer a campground at the site, not even pit toilets, though the original cleared camp sites are still there and good for self-contained or tent camping.
Date: January 2005
Notes: Good luck finding crystals of any size. Most of the original seams were [...]

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