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rock hunting locations southern california

Posted by james b  
rock hunting locations southern california
January 05, 2007 01:36AM
Does anyone know of any good rock hunting locations in Southern California ? I would be greatful for any information.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2008 08:22PM by Uwe Kolitsch.
Charles Kraft
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 02:41AM
James posted this a bit ago

[www.missourigeologists.org]
[www.missourigeologists.org]
[www.missourigeologists.org]

There are some books with Rockhounding info, three such are:

Gem Trails of southern California
Rocks and Minerals of California
Rockhounding California

I think there are others, those are the ones I found soonest.

Any particular kind of rocks or part of So Cal in particular?
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 03:28AM
Hi
Thanks for the great info. Yes I do love Tourmaline but I like all kinds of rock. I mostly want to stay around Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Diego County. I did have someone tell me that you can find Fire Opal in L.A. County but he did not give me an exact location. sad smiley
charles kraft
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 04:07AM
There's a place called Opal Mountain north of hwy 58, near Hinkley.

One of the books says bad things about the road, now something I'd want to try with my car.

I've never found good tourmaline hunting grounds, but I haven't looked very hard. My guess is that they'd be claimed.

If you want to look at some Los Angeles Geology, there is a map that can be downloaded at: [pubs.usgs.gov]

There are other maps here and there around California, not full coverage, though.
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 03:27PM
Charles
Thank you so much for the information you gave me. Rock hunting is new to me but I have done gold prospecting. I do have a place where i use to go pannig in the desert and I would find lots of rose quartz. Not one of my fav rocks. smiling smiley
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 09:37PM
us    
Hi James,
Our local rock club from the San Franando valley is having a field trip to collect fossilized whale bone from Gaviota Beach State Park on January 13th. You or any other interested parties are invited to join in the fun! We will meet at the parking lot there at 11:00am unless heavy rain forces a cancellation. There is a small day use fee($8.00?) per auto, and everyone will be bringing their own food and beverages. Last year over 200 lbs. were collected. Dress in layers as the temps could be anything between 45-80 degrees.

I highly reccommend you look into joining a local rock club. So much information on collecting locally can be learned from the people who have sucsessfully been collecting locally for years. Southern California has many great opportunities for collecting, but with all the expansive growth in population much of the information in the collecting "guides" is out of date or not valid any longer. As many of the collecting sites are on private property, another benefit of a joining a group is getting the permission from land owners for a responsible organization to collect on their property.

Winter is a nice time of the year to collect in the deserts. Its not to hot. Petrified woods, agates, jaspers, opal, rhodonite and other interesting things can be found. It is also the best time of year for any beach combing/collecting as the winter storms bring up new material each year.

I hope this information provides some guidance. There is a lot of material in a lot of places, but permission and directions can be difficult to get without an inside introduction.

Bob
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 11:06PM
James, If you live anywhere in the greater L.A. area, I'd recommend you go to www.the-vug.com and order their DVD called "Mineral Collecting 2 hours or less from Los Angeles" (or something to that effect) - detailed visual and verbal directions for getting to some places you can still find stuff.
Re: rock hunting locations
January 05, 2007 11:57PM
Hi Bob
Thanks for the invite. I will take you up on that.
Re: rock hunting locations
January 06, 2007 12:00AM
Hi Alfredo
Thank you for the information. I will go to the web site right now and check it out. smiling smiley

James
Re: rock hunting locations
January 06, 2007 04:22PM
Hi James,

Many types of calcite can be found in the Santa Monica mountain range. My father used to find water clear crystals up in Temiscal Canyon and I've found some nice enough specimens in La Jolla Canyon before the waterfall if you start at the beach end. The western end of the mountain range, in the Thousand Oaks area was formed in part by miocene volcanic activity and is known as the Conejo Volcanics, and the large mountain you see coming down the Conejo Grade to the left is an extinct shield volcano. I'm sure you might find some interesting things in the area if you look well enough but be careful of rattlesnakes, ticks, and all of that fun stuff.
Re: rock hunting locations
January 06, 2007 06:41PM
Hi Jenna
Thank you for the info. I think I will go take a short trip this weekend and go take a look. smiling smiley If I find something I will let you know.

Jim
avatar Re: rock hunting locations
June 10, 2007 12:28AM
us    
James,
Have you joined the Mineralogical Society of Southern California?
Rock
Cindy & Ed Goodman
Re: rock hunting locations
June 26, 2007 04:00AM
looking for good locations to go rock hunting in upper Michigan any ideas appreciated.
Thanks
avatar Re: rock hunting locations
June 26, 2007 01:22PM
us    
Attend the Copper Country retreat in early August.
[www.museum.mtu.edu]
Re: rock hunting locations
June 27, 2007 08:37PM
i thought all the UP was good rock hunting grounds
avatar Re: rock hunting locations
June 27, 2007 08:46PM
us    
There are a couple of areas that were extensively mined for iron (near the Wisconsin border) and for copper (from Ontanogan to the tip of the Keweenaw). Some tompsonites and agates are found along the shore of Lake Superior. One of the problems is that there is a fair amount of glacial drift over the area. Also see the book Michigan Minerals which was updated a few years ago by George Robinson. It is probably the best place in the midwest for collecting, but the waste rock piles are quickly vanishing.
Dasha
Re: rock hunting locations
June 29, 2007 06:49PM
Hi!
Does anybody know any rock hunting locations near Yakima, Seattle or Wenathcee? Whant to take my kids there. THanks
avatar Re: rock hunting locations
June 29, 2007 07:45PM
us    
Not in the Seattle Directionbut.. In the Town of republic there is the public fossil dig site called stonerose see www.stonerosefossil.org
crystalndan
Re: rock hunting locations
February 03, 2008 02:23AM
I live in morongo valley, but what I am interested in is some caves and small mountains on your way to the salton sea , niland area. hwy 86, has to the left some small hills and very visable caves, my question is whats out there and what exactly would you call that area?
anyone with any ideas?
Re: rock hunting locations
February 03, 2008 05:21PM
Dasha, Check out the Washington Mineral Council: [www.mineralcouncil.org]

They have regularly scheduled trips and even provide site info if you wish to go it alone.

Also the WA. Agate and Mineral Society in Olympia has site info and maps posted:
[home.comcast.net]

Up Hiway 410, at Greenwater, there is a paved FS road (70) that runs along the Greenwater River. Many of the sideroads can handle a family sedan and you'll find plenty of agate, jasper, and some crystals in places.

Feel free to contact me for any help. I'm on the penninsula, but work in Auburn.
Re: rock hunting locations
February 03, 2008 10:12PM
Hi James,
Perhaps I can help you find your tourmaline,
I know of many places where you can find Tourmaline as I have.
I live in Wildomar a city near Temmecula Off the 15 freeway,
If you interested in going out collecting then contact Me,
Send me your phone number so I can call you.
thomascarlhess@yahoo.com
Warm regards,
Thomas Hess/founder of the DIEHARD ROCKHOUNDS
Steve K
Re: rock hunting locations
February 04, 2008 03:41AM
Is Mt. Mica open to the public for collecting?
avatar Re: rock hunting locations
February 04, 2008 05:39AM
us    
Sorry Steve. Mt. Mica is closed and currently under claim. However, there is a way that you can collect on the dumps- you can take a trip to the mine through Poland Mining Camps which is located in Poland, Maine. I attended the program last year and found it to be an excellent experience that was well worth the price. I visited Mt. mica and found plenty of non-gemmy Elbaite, a matrixIndicolite thumbnail, very sizeable pieces of Cassiterite, and plenty of interesting phosphate minerals.
Steve K
Re: rock hunting locations
February 05, 2008 02:21AM
Jeremy Z.,

You stated that Mt Mica is closed, and under claim. Is that to the public? Under the thread - Jawdroppers - there is a recent photo of a gentleman (professional miner?) holding the aforementioned from MT Mica. Am I missing something? That wouldn't be unusual. Thanks for the tip on the PMC.

Steve
avatar Re: rock hunting locations
February 05, 2008 05:11AM
us    
Only the dumps are open to those who visit Poland Mining Camp- no one else can visit to my knowledge. That very lucky man holding that Tourmaline is Jim Nizamoff- one of the miners who works Mt. Mica for mineral specimens. The pit area containing pockets is strictly off limits to visitors.

I hope this doesn't discourage you- collecting on the Mt. Mica dumps through PMC can be quite exceptional!!!
John Sassi
Re: rock hunting locations
February 05, 2008 08:11AM
Jerermy Z.- can you please email me when you have time. Im intrested in a location in Northern New Hampshire and I think you may be intrested as well
Best Regards

John
John Sassi
Re: rock hunting locations
February 05, 2008 08:13AM
Re: rock hunting locations
February 05, 2008 12:17PM
Steve K. check out the Mt. Mica website below if you have not already done so.


[www.coromotominerals.com]



Paul
RyanS
Re: rock hunting locations
February 07, 2008 09:00AM
I live in WA. But I just watched a show on the travel channel about finding fire agate in soCal. If you look up the show on the travel channel website it could give you an exact location. I know that it wasnt in LA county. But further East in the deseert
Re: rock hunting locations
February 07, 2008 11:50PM
Ryan, it's out near the town of Blythe; near the AZ border
Mitch
Re: rock hunting locations in Ohio
March 17, 2008 12:29AM
Im looking at going rock/mineral/gem hunting. do you know the best place to find some decent specimens where you get to look for them on your own?
Samee
Re: rock hunting locations
March 27, 2008 05:46AM
I am looking for directions to the White Knob Quarry mine, Lucerne Valley, CA.

Also the Cerro Gordo mine, Darwin District, Inyo Co. CA.
Anyone out there with info??
Thanks, Samee
jturner2906
rock hunting locations
May 08, 2008 10:23PM
I live in the dallas, texas area. Does anyone know of good rock hunting around this area or rock hunting clubs. Thank you, Julie
Cheryl Longo
Re: rock hunting locations
May 21, 2008 02:20AM
I am looking for some place in the So Cal area to rock hound this weekend. Any one got any suggestions?
Cheryl
Re: rock hunting locations
May 22, 2008 07:16PM
The Cerro Gordo mine only allows collecting once a year through a local club. You can get more info online. The mine owners have a bed and breakfast type thing and have a web site.
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