Latitude: 32°57'52"N
Longitude: 117°5'3"W
Overview:
The foothills and mountain area around Van Dam Peak, north of Los Peñasquitos Canyon in the easternmost portion of incorporated Poway, just inside the original San Diego Corporate Boundary (NW/4 NW/4 NW/4 Sec 15, Township 13S, Range 2W, San Bernardino Meridian).
Geology:
Pegmatite veins containing pockets of smoky quartz crystals occurring within gabbroic and granitic rocks.
Workings and Production:
Area is located at an elevation of 960' AMSL, on the western slope approx 500 feet west of mountain top marked 1080' elevation, in the Van Dam Peak mountain area just within the city limits of Poway, located E/NE from Granite Creek Road in the nearby community of Sabre Springs, San Diego. Reported small find of quartz crystals in 1990 by Michael Fender of Poway. The spot was discovered while hiking along the surface of a weathered pegmatite where it is had been further exposed by a prominent trail cut. Two "very old" trenches were noticed adjacent to the discovery site.
A small amount of smoky quartz crystal points and floaters were easily picked up, with several small tabular twinned crystals being recovered. Nearly all of the quartz crystals were a light gray to deep orangey brown color, most being covered with tiny dark reddish black tourmaline needles and/or containing needles and hair-like inclusions (var: tourmalinated quartz). Microcline crystals were produced that had a "dusting" of micro epidote (possibly clinozoisite), and associations of quartz and schorl.
Notes:
The area is located on private lands, most of which is set aside as open space and habitat mitigation for lands disturbed by suburban development. The City of Poway informs visitors that all natural resources are fully protected. This includes plants, wildlife, and all natural features. Off-trail travel is prohibited. Please don’t shortcut trails or travel cross-country. All federal, state, and local regulations are in force.
References
Walawender, M. J. (2000) The Peninsular Ranges: A geological guide to San Diego’s back country. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, DuBuque, Iowa. Illustrated.
Fender, M. (2007) Written correspondence between Michael Fender of Poway and Scott L. Ritchie of Temecula, CA. Details of the "Old Hag" prospects near Van Dam Peak: Feb.
Mineral List
8 entries listed. 5 valid minerals.
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