walker valley, Wa

hey i am fairly new to gem hunting etc. but i have noticed that many people talking about walker valley in the mount vernon area. but i can figure out how to get there exactly if anyone could help i would appreciate it .
thanks1

Google Washington State Mineral Council...they have the combo for the gate...also I'll Pm you with a local contact if he doesn't speak up here. i had trouble working the gate when i tried, so i was planning on going there with him this spring.

~Zeke,
JadeJunkee
Washington State

Here is a map showing the location of the collecting site and the gate: Google Maps
The collecting site is in the clearing at the top of the map; the gate is marked by the green arrow. The site is on Peter Burns Road, near the Walker Valley ORV Park, if that helps for finding directions.

If the gate is out of commission (one time I went the combination lock had been replaced with a keyed lock), you can always park on the road below and climb up the ATV-infested slope to the site. There is a kind of "half loop" that the ATVs can ride up, and the collecting site is above here.

thanks guys i appreciate the help. i plan on heading up when i can get some time off work .. ill check it out and let you know how it goes.

There was a time when you had to go up the slope - that road with the gate was not even there. I miss Walker Valley so much - tis where I found a very large pink amethyst geode ... it took ten hours to carefully chip out. There was a man who watched me from a distance most that afternoon/evening. Thinking that I would eventually give up and he would jump right in and finisher-er off. As I was loading it into my truck he stops and says ... "You'll need a big blade to cut that one up - I've got a 36 inch saw that would work. Bring it on over and we'll cut it open." .... I did take him up on his offer and he made one more offer once it was cut - 2500 dollars on the spot! I figgered 10 hrs of work it was well worth it. Later I found out that he took it to Quartzite, AZ. and sold it for 33 thousand. Beautiful pink amethyst pillows the size of tennis balls ... a bridge that went from one side to the other ... a once in a life time find. (sigh)

Here ... feast your eyes on what Walker Valley holds ...



Phil - stuck in Nashville
good luck!

thats amazing man. it is my dream to get a big geode like the one you mentioned. im curious what part of the quarry did you get those from? and how long ago was that?

I've heard Walker Valley is all dug out at rock club meetings, but then again I have also heard from guys who walked away from the general dig area to areas that were covered over from when it was first discovered and found gorgeous stones in hard rock. I remember being told some general directions to a good spot, but forgot as it wasn't a locality I was very interested in after hearing such poor reviews of the place. Just remember to explore off the beaten track to find the good stuff and it does exist there if you can figure out where;)

Aaron

There has always been confusion about the Walker Valley site. There was a quarry just south of the ORV park that many thought was the site. This was drilled and detonated a few years ago. There was some nice pieces taken from there; I have a few.

The WMC site is west of the ORV park; thru the gate, under the power lines. The last I read a few months back; it was still producing.

Hey just so you guys know, theres still plenty of gems out there! just found a nice dark amethyst geode about the size of a small grapefruit the other day! if you guys got any photos of your finds u should post em, im gonna try & do the same. get out there the diggins are a good!

so where did you go and where did you dig exactly? I've been to the quarry but not easy to deside where to dig there.

I explore this place all the time, but some pointers about the upper mountain and or surrounding areas would be helpful. i know of a few geode bearing outcrops along the same stretch up there, but access is very difficult. wondering if any experienced collecters that go there and dig can give some tips. thanks

-brian-

Walker valley...oh how beautiful it can be especially if you look to the other hills where the power line are seen. ]

Eddie,
How did it go at Walker? I would recommend digging at the bottom of the trench the operator built to drain the pit of water. The bubbles go in vertical diagonal groupings down into the rock. Road access to this site for collector's may eventually be closed due to continued trash hauling and house debris left at the pit. Remember to keep the gate locked; push the lock together to open. The code is elsewhere on the net. To check out some Walker finds be sure to visit when the Skagit club puts on their show. If you look up the hill to the right, you'll see a rock outcrop where blue and grey moss agate is found, along with another andesite outcrop with crystals- hard to work though.
Cheers,
Sal

Hey just and update! So they cut in some new loggin roads on Peter Burns Rd. I heard from a fellow rock hound that there are quite of few gems to be found right off the side of the road and since most ATV riders and loggers arent usually interested in that they go right past them! Gonna go check it out this week! I'll post if I find anything

Here is what I remember from the mid to late 1970s.

The location where the large crystal lined amydules in basalt were collected was from immediately adjacent to near the end of the old Walker Valley Road. It was just barely above the road.

This is where Bud and Emma Lischke obtained their best material. They owned one of the last lapidary and mineral shops in Seattle. It was named "Gemcraft". I believe that they are now both deceased.

The last time I visited that location that there was absolutely NOTHING in the way of quartz lined amygdules to even be observed. I understand that other locations have been found since that time, but I have not visited any of them.

I will mention that there is a University of Washington (I think) Master's Thesis which describes a similar amygdaloidal basalt just to the SW of of the southern end of Big Lake. I have searched for this location, but never found a trace of any quartz lined amygdules in basalt.

~Bart

yeah before the last blast me and my friends dug down pretty far through old tailings and found a 135-145 pound geode, was big quartz lined with a 2nd layer of larger druzy quartz/light amethyst. Still have it will post pictures asap.

I stopped by early one morning just before the winter 2011. Numerous ATV vehicles already in combat position as the sun came up. Nice enough people to talk to, but their noise is constant and pretty much ruins your peace of mind.

New excavation in the large quarry area. Large boulders with lots of mineralization but loose stuff seems picked over.

Dig where ever you want. I always find something. Here is one of them $20,000 micromounts that I brung home!

I have found similar material. how do you know it is worth $20,000? I have alot of stones i would like appraised.

It's been years since I've up there.. guess it's time to dust off the tools and see what's around.... Have a ton of fond memories of the place and never left without some great items... Just need the right tools and know where to look.

Hello everyone - I am looking for a day trip here on Saturday. My Dad just died and being out rock hounding helps somehow.
Two questions- 1. would you recommend Walker Valley -( I am both a geode and an amethyst enthusiast among other things )
and
2. where would you work?
Bob Jackson indicated there were some areas above or near the quarry when we did his quartz mine last month - that was amazing by the way!

Thanks
Betsylew
PS - last Saturday we went up Ruby Mountain to a couple of the old mines there. Found some good material though nothing amazing. Was a really nice day.