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Field CollectingFinding Geodes in Colorado?

12th Oct 2004 15:42 UTCBob

G'day,


Is Colorado a state where goedes can be found? Colorado has a few volcanic areas, but I have not been sucessful finding info regarding geodes in those areas.


I'll appreciate any insight, thx


Cheers


Bob

12th Oct 2004 22:06 UTCTom H

Hey Bob! Check out the Wolf Creek Pass, Garden Park (Felch Creek?) and HouseLog Creek localities. I've been to the third but not the first two. I've also heard that there are geodes near State Bridge, but I don't have any details. Good hunting!

13th Oct 2004 13:21 UTCBob

Thank for the info, I appreciate the reply.


Cheers

Bob

14th Oct 2004 18:21 UTCTom H

I expect a report on what you find! ;~)

12th Nov 2004 20:36 UTCJR

We visited CO back in 1999 and rockhounded for almost 3 weeks. One of the many places we visited was south of Salida and Poncha Springs. On the way to a mined out gold mine called Crystal Mountain, where we found some nice quartz crystals, we went through an area off to the west where one could dig geodes from the east face of a steep hill. The digging was pretty hard, the soil was very hard and dry.


The geodes have star shaped crevices filled with a translucent mineral, which is quite fluorescent under SW UV. They're quite solid, not very susceptable to weathering, so I have them in my flower garden.


If I recall correctly we found the site in a colorado guide book, a slender paperback edition, and I do not recall the name or author.


Maybe this is a clue that will allow you to find that site, and dig your own. We each got several of the geodes, which were VERY hard to crack, since they were mostly filled with agate.


JR in West Virginia

8th Jan 2005 17:31 UTCDon Webb

My son tells me that there are plenty of geodes in Yamhill county in Oregon. I am going there in May.

Will report what I find.

Don Webb

18th Jun 2005 05:54 UTCAdam

Where in Wolf Creek Pass?

24th Aug 2009 00:31 UTCkaitlin

are there geodes in colorado?

because really want to find one



are there any in the garden of the gods?



thanks


katelyn

25th Aug 2009 19:28 UTCAdam Kelly

I was given pounds of quartz crystals from "Wolf Creek pass"

I asked for better local information, but all I could get was "i think it was north of the pass"

Will ask the guy again when I see him, as I've been wondering also.

AK

30th Aug 2009 16:23 UTCAnonymous User

There are 2 different areas off of Wolf Creek pass where one can find geodes. One is right off of the highway in the last road cut before Treasure Falls(going down the pass). The other is below the sharp corner with the overlook, 2 corners above the previously mentioned location. It is easiest to get to from below. there is a road on the right, past Treasure Falls, which goes to a camping area and the forest. Take it, stay right at the fork and follow the road, park at the end, and follow the road/path until you get to where you start seeing geodes in the rock, maybe 1-1.5 miles.

Examples:
http://www.66rover.com/rocks/wolfcreek/PICT2982.JPG
http://www.66rover.com/rocks/wolfcreek/smheulandites.JPG

Area below overlook, 37°26'58.47"N 106°53'8.73"W

Area above treasure falls, 37°27'4.04"N 106°52'56.10"W

There are other zeolites as well, besides the heulandite, and also calcite.

Houselog Creek is also a good location as is north of Del Norte. I can give you better directions if you need.
Houselog pics: and location, http://www.mindat.org/loc-158950.html

I have heard there are also septarian nodules on Liberty Point by Pueblo Reservoir. Nothing around Garden of the Gods that I have heard.

20th Jul 2010 00:31 UTCDevon6980

I live in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.


is there any Geodes up the East Fork road?


I heard there was a lot of quartz up there. I'm just getting into this and am really Intrigued

20th Jul 2010 13:51 UTCMark & Linda Mahlum

Devon 6980,


Greetings neighbor. I live north of Bayfield.


I collected the Wolf Creek locality twice this spring. It's getting somewhat collected out, although there is still material available with work and a sledge hammer. I did find a few nice larger geodes in a large boulder that I uncovered and then sledged apart. Heulandite, Quartz, a couple of amethysts, mordenite, calcite and some zeolites I need identified were all recovered.


That locality is situated 1/2 mile or so toward the pass (north) from the Treasure Falls parking area (off Hwy. 160). You'll see where CDOT workers have piled dump truck loads of dirt and rock. Straight ahead (north) is a long steep slope on the downhill side of the highway. You'll need good boots as it is quite steep. You'll see the geodes in the cliff to your right, about 3/4 mile above the Treasure Falls parking area as you head up the pass.


I've never collected the East Fork locality although I've seen the evidence while on my way up that road to fish some of the streams. The same road also leads to the Muddy Creek barite locality, a place I've collected for years and most recently last Thursday. (It is really collected out now, though.) You'll see evidence of the zeolites a couple of miles up the East Fork road from Hwy. 160. I've heard the material there is similar to and possibly better than that which is found at the Wolf Creek locality.


The two localities are about 4 miles apart. I've always intended to prospect the area between them, but haven't yet. A future project for a September or October day.


Mark

20th Jul 2010 14:10 UTCMark & Linda Mahlum

Some of the thundereggs at Twin Mountains, near Del Norte are lined with quartz crystals inside. It's been years since I was there so I don't know about claim status in the area, however. I've heard of small geodes near the top of Imogene Pass as well as near the top of Engineer Pass. I've been over both many times but have never looked for them. The area west of Saguache is another on the "to do" list for me. I've heard of geodes but never collected there.


Mark

15th Feb 2011 13:56 UTCponcha girl

My grandfather lived in Poncha Springs, CO. When I was young he took me around the area "Rockhounding". I rememer finding a large melon sized geode and was so excited. I know my grandfather found many others but I couldn't tell you exactly where. I know he did rockhounding around Bonanza and Ruby Mountain. I don't think you can hunt at Ruby Mountain any more.

16th Feb 2011 19:13 UTCDean Allum Expert

Wolf Creek Pass is currently receiving 3 feet (40cm) of snow (Feb. 16). Don't try collecting there today unless you have a good 4X4 vehicle, or you are crazy, or both.

25th Jul 2011 02:49 UTCAbbi

Have you had any luck? If you do let me now. But just like everybody else all I know about is wolf creek pass. GOOD LUCK!(:D

25th Jul 2011 14:25 UTCPatrick E Haynes

Hello. FYI- Tony Kampf checked Wolf Creek Pass' orange heulandite. It is heulandite-Na.

6th Oct 2011 21:33 UTCRandy

southern colorado- pueblo resivoir and the surronding areas ive found hundreds

6th Aug 2013 20:24 UTCUncle Chuck

04319980016015682641120.jpg
Copyright © mindat.org
Was just out in the Gunnison Gorge NCA along Smith Mountain and found this lovely creature. It's some sort of quartz geode-looking thing, but in no means is it round or oval in shape. Found it along side an old petrified mud plume.


6th May 2014 17:12 UTCJason Box

I live just outside of Saguache, if anybody want to get together to hit up Houselog Creek or Crystal Hill mine send me a message. I've been there a few times and can show you around.

7th May 2014 01:59 UTCMark & Linda Mahlum

What is the collecting status of Crystal Hill? A few years ago it was posted.

15th Jul 2014 21:33 UTCNoonie

05964020016015682642235.jpg
Copyright © mindat.org
We'll be up in Colorado Springs for a vacation next week. My 8 year old son is obsessed with rocks, I'd lvoe to take him out to find something cool, but ift would have to be a day trip from Colorado Springs. These places all look a bit too gar (unless I'm mapping it incorrectly). Anyone know of places closer in to Colorado Springs that we could try? These look so beautiful - he'd be happy with a crystal or anything that he dug out of the earth himself instead of buying from a shop. Attached is a quartz crystal he found her ein Seattle that is his pride and joy!


I'd totally be willing to pay for a guide, in Seattle where we live you can go on guided trips with geologists, but I don't see anything like that in CO.


Thanks in advance for anyone who can point us to some places to try!!



Elena

esaldan@hotmail.com

17th Jul 2014 05:26 UTCDean Allum Expert

Hi Noonie,

I just moved from the Colorado Springs area.


Here is a possible place to search for crystals:

After visiting Helen Hunt Falls in North Cheyenne Canyon, drive a quarter mile further up the road, you will come to a parking area below an eroded hillside. There is a gated road to the west. This used to be known as Gold Camp Road prior to being closed due to tunnel cave-ins. Hike on this curving road for about a mile until you come to a closed "tunnel". Take the detour path over this tunnel. The other side of the tunnel is above Helen Hunt Falls and crystals can be found on the hills above and below the road. Remember to bring water along on your high altitude hike.


There is also a Fossil quarry available (fee site) at Claire ranch in nearby Florrisant, CO near the Petrified Forest National Park.


-Dean Allum

17th Jul 2014 05:35 UTCNoonie

Thanks for the idea! I heard about this area just today from another source - a mile+ might be a little much for my 4 year old, but we'll see what she can do, if we take it slow that might work!

26th Aug 2014 12:35 UTCangie sunshinedaydream

Hi,

Im moving to colorado springs in just a couple weeks and i love to go exploring for rocks, im just learning this and have found quite the collection from my four month stay in west va, i found some really nice pieces in lincoln and estill county ky. I have two disabled kids who will be in school for eight hours a day and im looking for places to go and hunt while they are in school, ive written down some of what was posted here but id like to know more, my email address is gemini61975@hotmail.com id love more info possibly even a guide or someone to show me a little more about what im doing right or wrong. Id love to share what ive found already send me a message on fb under angie sunshinedaydream

Thank you im grateful

6th Oct 2014 10:31 UTCkeithh

The geodes found near Wolf Creek are just outside the small town of Del Norte.

11th Jun 2015 00:38 UTCCrystalpistol

Me and my so. Would love to go with you up here and have you help us out we went once looking for geodes but found nothing! 19pistol78@ail.com

11th Jun 2015 00:46 UTCCrystalpistol

JAston box would you still guide up by sauquache??

11th Jun 2015 00:50 UTCBob Harman

If you are a casual collector, you won't have much luck finding really collectible geodes in Colorado. I suppose some locals and persistent field collectors might know of a few sites, but there certainly aren't many. And some may be on off limit lands, lands under claim, or on private property. In any case see my map of COLLECTIBLE geode sites thru out the U.S. on the bottom of page 8 (March 13, 2013) on the Midwest Sedimentary Geode thread on this website. CHEERS…..BOB

21st Sep 2015 01:06 UTCKellyGunnison

Hi there -- From Gunnison, went to Crystal Hill today, and speculatiely broke open some nodules int he breccia,but nothing came of it. Can you give me anymore information about it.


Thanks

5th Nov 2015 05:40 UTCWayne Corwin

Kelly


Break many many many more rocks ;-)


Keep On Rockin' (tu)

12th Mar 2016 00:58 UTCllfowlerCO

Make sure to bring your fishing rod for State Bridge and gold pans if you go above Creede. If nothing more you may get and nice fish to eat and some small amethyst pieces. :-)

12th Mar 2016 01:02 UTCllfowlerCO

The books name is "Colorado Rockhounding: A Guide to Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils"

by Stephen M. Voynick, Voynick. It's a fun and relatively inexpensive book. I wish other state would publish a book like this.

12th Mar 2016 01:38 UTCDoug Schonewald

There are books for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana that I have. Falcon also publishes New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah and almost every other state.

18th May 2016 09:33 UTCKimoh

I live in grand junction anyone know of a good spot near me to look?

18th May 2016 14:30 UTCBob Harman

Kimoh, I suggest you review this thread with a Colorado map and purchase the suggested book(s) on rock collecting in Colorado. Then try some of the book suggested sites. Also, find your local rock clubs, join them, and hook up on upcoming field trips. The clubs often have the wherewithal to get into otherwise off limit collecting sites.

I would NOT rely too much on the previous postings about older collecting sites as they often are no longer accessible for a variety of reasons. Make sure wherever you go the land is open to public collecting. Good luck and CHEERS.....BOB

19th May 2016 18:20 UTCScott Rider

I went up to Saguache around August last year... I apparently went too far to collect the good silver/grey Chalcedony geodes that my friend found a few years back. He found about 50 (average was around 3 inches up to 10!!), so Colorado still produces. When I went up there to the wrong spot, I still found some Jasper bombs (big hunks of red jasper) that had small voids with crystalline quartz. They may be good candidates for lapidary material, but not much for collections... The biggest jasper bomb I found was 12 inches in diameter.. Quite large and could produce lots of chabachons with interesting blue patterns swirling around... But nothing for collectors really....


I found only one tiny hunk of the chalcedony that I was looking for near my spot of jasper.... But no geodes or banded agate. I must state one warning, they aren't that colorfull... Almost all are grey, translucent but some have interesting dendrite patterns.


So if you want the multi-mineral geodes, Kentucky is the way to go. If you want some awesome "thunder eggs", Montana is the best for that... I'm sure there are a myriad of other locations, but those two are my personal favorite. Especially those thunder eggs.. I think New Mexico has some locations for colorful agate/geodes...


I have seen some material from "Colorado" that resembled thunder eggs, but no specific location was given. It was in a suite of Colorado minerals, so the location could be an error or could really be from Colorado, who knows... But, Colorado has an amazing diversity of rock types, geological formations, etc. so thunder eggs could possibly be found here.... You never know... People told me no more Topaz can be found in Devil's Head, and 1 kilo of topaz later, I proved that to be way, way off the mark...


Cheers, Scott

20th May 2016 20:29 UTCAaron Cross

If you live in Grand Junction, then the closest place would be the Book Cliffs just outside there. You can find water clear Barite but I haven't been there in quite awhile so look it up and make sure you can still collect there.
 
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