From the category archives:

Oregon

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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Calapooia River (OR R1, Site 24 GR)

by Heather DAugust 8, 2010 Gem Trails by State

I drove the Callapooia river road, and there are not many gravel bars to find at this time. Most of the river is private land. There is a gate across the road to the United States creek that belongs to Weyerhauser. I met a local gold panner who said the best panning is on the [...]

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Whiskey Run (OR R4, Site 81, GR)

by JerryMay 16, 2010 Gem Trails by State

This post by dkatski50 added as a comment to “How to Use GemTrails.com” and moved here by the admin.
This site is spectacular! The creek runs right down by the beach access trail so you don’t have far to go once you park. After about an hour we had a nice collection of large to medium [...]

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Myrtle Creek (OR R4, Site 99 GR)

by JerryMay 16, 2010 Gem Trails by State

This post by dkatski50 added as a comment to “How to Use Use GemTrails.com” and moved here by the admin.
This site is now closed to public access. At least by the route given in the book. The road to the gravel bar is posted as private property and no trespassing. There appears to be another [...]

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Bear Creek (OR R2 Site 29 – GR)

by JerryApril 16, 2010 Gem Trails by State

Directions: Garret’s directions and map will get you there, but it can be a little confusing as there are many roads in the hills. The turn off Bear Creek Rd is just before a cattle guard. After you pass through the gate, you will bear left twice. The collecting area is marked by a basalt [...]

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Warm Springs (OR R3 Site 60 – GR)

by JerryOctober 5, 2009 Gem Trails by State

Directions: Garret’s directions and map will get you there and get you to the various sites. His GPS coordinates are accurate. We came from the Burns side and found the roads to all the collecting sites in very good shape (until it rained).
Google Map
Date: October 09
Notes: Our rock club (Central Oregon Rock Collectors) made a [...]

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Ames Creek (OR R1 Site 19 – GR)

by JerryOctober 5, 2009 Gem Trails by State

This is a side note confirming the Holleywood Ranch fee dig site near Ames Creek (a few miles outside of Sweet Home) mentioned in the book. Our rock club (Central Oregon Rock Collectors) made a field trip to the ranch in Sept 09. There is literally tons of wood available and digging in the excavated [...]

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Glass Buttes (OR Site 57 – GR)

by JerryAugust 17, 2009 Gem Trails by State

Directions: Garret’s directions and map will get you there and get you to the various sites. There are a lot of meandering cross roads in the back country though, so GPS is helpful. We might have given up on the rainbow site if not for having accurate coordinates from the book. As it is, it’s [...]

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Harney Lake (OR Site 70 – GR)

by JerryAugust 17, 2009 Gem Trails by State

Directions: Garret’s site directions are spot on. Google Map
Date: August 2009
Notes: There is plentiful tumbling material scattered about, some already wave polished. Colors tend to be rather drab and for us most of the material is rather uninteresting. We found a couple of pieces of petrified wood, but nothing special. The oolitic agate from up [...]

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