From the category archives:

Arizona

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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Bagdad Agate & Jasper (AZ Site 13)

by JerryMarch 6, 2009 Arizona

Directions: We had no trouble finding the site following Mitchell’s directions. The semi-circular ridge above the road is fairly obvious once you reach the area.
Google Map
Date: March 2008
Notes: We didn’t get much jasper but found a fair amount of agate, though not very colorful. Most of it was beige to off-white, with an orange varnish. [...]

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Burro Creek Pastelite (AZ Site 10)

by JerryMarch 6, 2009 Arizona

Directions:I hope someone who has found the site will post some tips on finding it. We never did. Turned on Burro Creek Rd off of AZ SR 97 as indicated, but never crossed the creek or saw a camp area, even though we followed the mile markers well beyond the indicated 7.5 miles.
Google Map
Date: March [...]

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Burro Creek Apache Tears (AZ Site 11)

by JerryMarch 6, 2009 Arizona

Directions: You pretty much can’t miss this one, it’s well marked by the signs to Burro Creek BLM Campground just south of the high bridge on US 93. It’s a nice place to camp too.
Google Map
Date: March 2008
Notes: We picked up a handful of tears on the mesa above the campground, but it isn’t plentiful [...]

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Perkinsville Agate (AZ Site 14)

by JerryMarch 5, 2009 Arizona

Directions: I visited this site in 2006 and we had little trouble locating the area, coming from Jerome. Mitchell does not descibe the old agate quarry that I remember being the best area to work. I can no longer recall where the old quarry road is in relation to the cattle guard or “agate wash”, [...]

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