From the category archives:

Arizona

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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Sheep Crossing (AZ Site 63)

by JerryMarch 5, 2009 Arizona

Directions: I visited this site in 2006. The book directions are adequate. We arrived from I-17 via FR 269 and returned via FR 24 to Cave Creek. Both are long, graveled roads, but only the last section descending to the Verde River was rough. We tent camped overlooking the river.
Date: November 2006
Notes: We found scattered [...]

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Clifton Agate (AZ Site 72)

by JerryMarch 5, 2009 Arizona

Directions: It appears that this listing is now obsolete and the site no longer accessible. In the first place the second bridge over the river is not reached by turning off of the highway as the map shows. You have to leave the highway at the first bridge, turn left along the river on Frisco [...]

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Saginaw Hill Minerals (AZ Site 89)

by JerryMarch 5, 2009 Arizona

Directions: Mitchell’s directions will get you there, but it is easier to go west from Tucson on Ajo Way, AZ 86, then turn on Sunset or Sheridan as the map in the book shows. Turn left on Irvington and right on Butts Rd which will turn to gravel and lead up toward the hill. The [...]

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Round Mountain Fire Agate (AZ Site 77)

by JerryMarch 4, 2009 Arizona

Directions: Mitchell’s directions are still accurate for this site, but to make it clearer, look for the Lazy B Ranch sign and the gate (see photo). Also, about 5 miles in (after turning at the Round Mountain Rockhound Area sign) you reach the loop road, marked by signs. We took the loop counter-clockwise, though you [...]

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