From the category archives:

California - Southern

Cadiz (S CA Site 25)

by JerryFebruary 24, 2010 California - Southern

Directions: Mitchell’s map and directions to the site are misleading. The turn off Cadiz Rd is just before the 2nd curve where the road turns right to cross the railroad. You go left off Cadiz Rd for maybe a half mile, then turn right at a road indicated by a BLM marker. Follow this road [...]

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Chambless (S CA Site 26)

by JerryFebruary 22, 2010 California - Southern

Directions: We visited Sites B and C. Mitchell’s directions to the sites are generally accurate, however there is no street sign for “Mactull Ave”. It is the road just across the highway from the Chambless Water Company. A couple of blue painted cairns have been placed to help mark the road to site C. Use [...]

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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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Yermo (S CA Site 47)

by JerryDecember 12, 2009 California - Southern

Directions: You should have no trouble following Mitchell’s directions to the sites. The “old pole line” road noted in the text for Site B is marked as BLM Rd 7640.
Google Map
GPS: Site B – N34.937, W 116.758; Site C – N34.943, W 116.771
Date: December 2009
Notes: Don’t bother with Site A, very little material, none above [...]

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Paul Bunyan Agate (S CA Bonus)

by JerryDecember 9, 2009 Bonus Sites

Directions: This site is located just northeast of Barstow, CA. From I-15 just east of town take Fort Irwin Rd north 7.1 miles. Turn left on Irwin  Rd and after 1/2 mile turn right on a minor dirt road. Follow it 1.9 miles north, then at the base of a small mountain take the road [...]

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Opal Hill Mine (S CA Site 13)

by JerryMarch 14, 2009 California - Southern

Directions: 4th Street is at the south end of Palo Verde next to the gas station. You will go through a ranch just outside of town. Just follow the signs to the Opal Hill mine out past the power line as the Gem  Trails map indicates. If coming from Wiley Well Rd, you will probably [...]

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Pebble Terrace (S CA Site 12)

by JerryMarch 14, 2009 California - Southern

Directions: 4th Street is at the south end of Palo Verde next to the gas station. You will go through a ranch just outside of town. Just follow the signs for the Opal Hill mine 3 or 4 miles out past the power line as the Gem  Trails map indicates.
Dates: January 2008, January 2009
Notes: The [...]

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Anza-Borrego (S CA Site 2)

by JerryMarch 14, 2009 California - Southern

Directions: We had a little trouble finding Shell Canyon as Shell Canyon Rd leads directly into a large rock and gravel quarry. The road into the canyon is a left turn before entering the quarry, but it is unmarked. We parked outside the canyon and hiked in, but with a Jeep or quad you can [...]

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Gold Basin (S CA Site 7)

by JerryMarch 7, 2009 California - Southern

Directions: Mitchell’s directions will get you to Site A and Site C, but we don’t think Site B exists. There simply is no road to the east of CA SR 78 at the indicated mileage, nor for a mile in either direction. At Site A we chose to park below the steep hill and walk [...]

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