Saddle Mountain, Arizona (Rockhounding site and recreational area) Opal Hill, California (Mine, . Whipple Mountain Chalcedony 168. Entradas. The Oatman area is located between the towns of Oatman and Yucca. Agate is a common semiprecious silica mineral that has long been used as a gem and ornamental. For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. 50%. Opal Hill is well known for its beautiful and rare fire agate, opal eggs and quartz crystals. Hello my friends! ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth Saddle Mountain State Natural Area is cherished for its rare wildflowers and stunning viewpoint at the 3,290-foot summit. There are no restaurants or food stores in the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, so it is important to pack a lunch with you. Discover the best routes for going from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. Overall, this trail is extremely scenic and can be the basis for a great day or weekend trip. Apache Tears are only formed near Superior, Arizona, and when refined and held to the light, these are semi-transparent and have a smoky brown shade. LockA locked padlock Its a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. Please note that there are private mining assertions in this region; therefore, regard the estate privileges of landowners and refrain from collecting specimens from those claimed properties. A beautiful trail taking you along the edge of Grand Canyon National Park. Member since April 2012 Posts: 1,931. Never leave your essential gears and supplies like drinking water, a small shovel, gloves, a fully charged cellphone, and a bucket. Hey there! Let's take a little trip to the far west valley for some fun around Saddle Mountain, an area of ancient volcanic activitythat was last active approximately 66 million years ago. Other popular types of rocks include chalcedony, jasper, and quartz. Clifton, Arizona, is a little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the New Mexico border with promising rockhounding prospects. BLM-8211 is slightly rocky but not bad. Turtle Mountain road off of Highway 95 provides access to this area. Some of the early pioneers in fire agate mining at Deer . Our marketplace also has thousands of "close out" domains, at even lower prices! On a clear day, the panoramic view includes the sweep of the Columbia River as it . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Asarco, on the other hand, has excellent Azurite, Chrysocolla, and Malachite specimens. Beautiful day though windy and join us as I show you where we hunt and how to go about it.. Traveling to the mine, located at a cool 7200 feet elevation, is no simple task. This trail passes through remote areas, so you need to be prepared. The trail gets more rugged and more remote at its southernmost point. Our website provides a comprehensive list of the top rockhounding sites in the area, complete with detailed Information on each location, including the types of rocks and minerals you can find, the best times of year to visit, and any rules or regulations you need to be aware of. Stay on Courthouse Road for 1.8 miles until you come to a dirt road on the left. Detailed description: How to get there is as follows: From Phoenix, Arizona, take Highway 17 north. A public subreddit for the discussion of rock hunting, rock collecting, crystals and mineralogy, geology, lapidary arts and rocks in general. While many of these sites are on National Forest land, several (particularly the mines) are potentially private property, so do your investigation and get approval before venturing on any property forrockhounding near Phoenix. Another fun trip to Saddle Mountain in Arizona to hunt Fire Agate. New crystals can be exposed by rainstorms, but youll certainly discover the perfect ones when you get grimy and dig. The diggers will hold anything they find, up to the size of a bucket, no more than five gallons per day. SOLD FEB 13, 2023. Sign me up, I am not a rock hound so not sure what to do there. A rockhound hopes to reach this massive geode 90 feet underground. You got me on the rocks, plus my fav Roy will be coming, so I need to attend, if you don't mind signing me up please! The trail passes through several washouts. 1,910 Sq. Rare Large Flowering Tube Onyx and Saddle Mountain AZ Fire Agate Necklace Sterling Silver Utah Gem Handmade Black Red Brown Tan 1053. Speaking ofwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter the area around this city in western Arizona. 8%. Tacomas, Colorados, Gladiators, etcwith a bed WILL drag their tail on some crossings. Furthermore, since Saddle Mountain has attracted so many rockhounds over the decades, youll need to be patient if youd like to locate fire agate. 48 Salome Highway Specular Hematite 165. Amboy DAG Marble Mountain Rock collecting area Chief Mountain Rockhounds have access to a campground that is available at this location. Super-premium domain values generally range from $10,000 to $2 million. Saddle Mountain lies 45 miles west of Phoenix and just southwest of Tonopah, Arizona. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material. The Saddle Mountain fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice addition to any mineral collection. The area is open year-round. Several miles east of Mattawa, turn left on "R" road to climb the foothills of the Saddle Mountains to BLM-managed land. Take Highway 97 north just past Liberty. Further research through the BLM resource would be helpful. Elevation. I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago . Amid the third and fourth peaks is where the mine is situated. There is a cleared parking area with some fire rings. There are also some larger deposits for those who have the tools and patience to remove them without damage. It is recommended to bring at least 1 gallon per person per day. Fake it till you make it, right? I may be bringing my son & his girlfriend along too. More sharing options. The area is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah. The wildfire burning on the western slope of Saddle Mountain in Grant County has now burned nearly 10,000 acres, fire managers reported Tuesday afternoon, amid windy conditions that make it There are several other places that you are still able to hound for gold, such as atman, Vulture Mine, Little San Domingo Placers, Gold Basin, and Greaterville. Directions to the Saddle Mountain Fire Agate location. Fake it till you make it, right?. Don, the proprietor, explains how Fire Agate is shaped and provides tips on how to search for, find, and excavate fire agate from the host rock. It's a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. This is a perfect place to hunt for quality specimens because there are so many color variations. Big River Agate 170. Rockhounding is ideal for the whole family but remember to carry adequate water, food, and a map. Located about 65 miles southeast of Safford, Arizona, the Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area is the most remote of the three free Arizona collecting sites. 2009-2022 Offroad Passport, LLCSite by Dev Button LLC OHVs and aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the trail. Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities for rockhounds of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned experts. This mine has been in operation sporadically from the 1900s and produces a portion of the finest Amethyst globally, varying in color from dark purple to violet with a rosy undertone. Mark K Cave Dweller. You are transported back to the starting point once youve seen the finishing process for the Amethyst production. 87) for about 21 miles. Laws are updated. The trail passes through two additional washouts, both of which have a bypass that is less difficult. Table Mountain Jasper 172. Agates, crystal and geodes are found in this region. Amateur prospectors have found thousands of ounces of gold in the Bradshaw Range north of Phoenix. Use caution when approaching blind hills and corners, and keep a watchful eye for other visitors and livestock. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. As a visitor, you can pay a fee then hire equipment to mine the claim for a day for a small fee. These include staying on the main road, not collecting rocks from private mining assertions, and not disturbing or harassing any wildlife. I had a somewhat difficult time finding and fire that I felt was worth keeping. Trailhead is a short 4 mile drive from the gas station. 2 stars. The lightly used road is 18.18km (11.3 miles) long. A four-wheel drive vehicle that can handle rough roads is recommended. Fluorite, Malachite, and Other Gemstones in Tucson, Arizona. When it comes to where to find rocks in Arizona, there are endless places, but those mentioned above always guarantee youll leave with a gem or two. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two designated collection sites that are open to the public year-round. Phone service is often unreliable in these areas. The trail to the top of Saddle Mountain is a moderate hike that is about 2.5 miles long. One of the best ways to find rocks is to look for areas with recent construction or after a rainstorm. Every location mentioned above is likely to reap success for you. Home. Wenatchee Field Office Complete with GPS coordinates and step-by-step directions! The miners walk nine miles in total to and from work and reside there for a few weeks at a time. Looking for the beautiful fire agates of Saddle Mountain Arizona. The petrified gems throughout. Discover the imperial city of Hue - the ancient capital of Vietnam. Fire agate is considered by some to be the rarest and newest multicolored gemstone in the world. Primitive camping is permitted by the BLM for up to 2 weeks. Jasper, Agate, Quartz, Fluorite, and even geodes are among the rocks and minerals to be discovered. This is especially important if you are going to be picking around rocks, as you may end up with cuts on your hands or arms. Take exit 18 off Interstate 15. The first trails on the north side of Saddle Mountain are rated a 3 because they contain some washouts, can get narrow at times, and are rocky. Trona There is a large camping zone accessible at this public rockhounding spot. Near the town of Safford, Arizona lies your ticket to finding fire agate, a brilliant gemstone found only in the southwest. It is a type of natural glass with conchoidal contours (convex on the outside, concave on the inside), with nodules ranging in size from peas to a tennis ball. 53 Black Mountains White Agate 184. 20 of the best rockhounding locations within driving distance from . Be careful not to get pierced when you try to grab some lovely specimen that has your eyes glittering! The only way to carry items to the mine, as well as all, bring the gem out, is by helicopter. However, be cautious when exploring this region because it is densely covered in cholla cacti. This area attracts a large number of tourists as it is close to Quartzsite and overall ease of access for your rockhounding Arizona expedition. Remember we share the planet with many other critters, including snakes, so stay aware of your surroundings. These one-hour walking tours are established on the book Stone Landmarks, written by Marie Jackson, a local-based author in Flagstaff. Agate Semiprecious Silica Mineral. You will see a sign for the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, and you will need to turn left onto the paved road. Always be respectful of privately-owned property and mines. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. The drive is certainly breathtaking and has a fearsome reputation. Payson is a good spot for rock hounds to search when they want to knowwhere to find geodes near Phoenix. Duration. Where To Find Desert Rose Rock In Arizona, Rockhounding in Arizona! Once the limit is reached, anyone asking to sign-up will be placed on the standby list. The fast-selling adventure tickets cost 395 dollars. After 0.9 miles, turn right at the intersection. In Tucson, there is excellent prospecting. There is a short hiking trail that leads to the top of the mountain, where you can get a panoramic view of the area. Contact BLM for petrified wood collection limits. This area is also popular for rock-hounders who will find both fire agate and chalcedony on the north side of the range. . One item some rockhounds forget to pack is a first-aid kit. And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. On public property, you are unable to collect historical objects like earthenware, rock sculpture, or arrowheads, or vertebrate fossils such as dinosaurs, any mammals, or fish. ID file #10023619, MRDS ID #I000808. Saddle Mountain Road is a very scenic drive around the uniquely formed volcanic Saddle Mountain in Maricopa County, in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, west of Phoenix. Travel along the Oatman road for approximately twenty miles from I-40. Take Hwy 243 south of Vantage, then Hwy 24 east to Mattawa. While there is a bypass, from this point on the trail is moderately difficult. Nearby homes similar to 4618 W Park View Cir have recently sold between $435K to $875K at an average of $240 per square foot. After 3 miles, turn right onto Salome Highway. If you ask around in your neighborhood, you may be able to learn about some potential search sites. Post a reply in this thread saying you'd like to go and I'll put you on the roster! This is a fantastic place to spend a day or two taking in the scenery whilst also building on your rock and mineral collection. Directions: The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. This resulted in the formation of the La Paz Mining District, which encompassed a 20-mile radius from each side of the Colorado River starting at the actual discovery location. This particular place youll just be searching and picking at loose sediment, mostly. The trail can be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is not too difficult to navigate. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Luckily, there are many excellent areas in Arizona where you can do your rock collecting and acquire very lovely samples. The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. From the interchange of I-10 & Loop 101, head west on I-10. 52 Burro Creek Pastelite, Opalite, and Agate 181. Technical Rating. 62. Sunday 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ. OpenStreetMap Feature. Stay straight at 11.6 miles and again at 12.3 miles. Because of it's elusiveness, it's highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors and rockhounders. 3 stars. Allow for at least half a day to do this trail. However, rock hunting experts and rookies are still able to locate gold in the Colorado River. The first portion of the trail is short and rocky with the more difficult and washed out loop around Saddle Mountain providing more of a challenge. : current registration and insurance), Have functional seat-belts for every occupant, 30"+ aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. Saddle Mountain, Arizona, Fire Agate Mineral Location Page: This popular outdoor recreation and fire agate rockhounding area is located outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Saddle Mountain is also home to a number of private mining assertions, so it is important to be mindful of where you are collecting rocks. At 3.6 miles youll reach the most serious washout. All you need are your boots because Jasper is abundant. 3 Hours. In the U.S., agates are most commonly found along the shores of the Great Lakes, the beaches of the Pacific Coast, and in the deserts of many western states. Other areas to find Jasper is the Plomosa region, southwest of Bouse, and Yuma south of the Quartzsite. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Bouse, and a map your ticket to finding fire agate, quartz, fluorite and... Some of the range BLM ) has two designated collection sites that are open to the size of bucket... Website belongs to an official government organization in the Saddle Mountains and Saddle |... Newest multicolored gemstone in the Colorado River a moderate hike that is available at this location place youll be... Find rocks is to look for areas with recent construction or after rainstorm! 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Field Office Complete with GPS coordinates and step-by-step directions 'd like to go saddle mountain fire agate locations..! At the intersection assume no liability for decisions made as a visitor you! Perfect place to spend a day for a few weeks at a time MRDS id #.! Girlfriend along too sign-up will be placed on the other saddle mountain fire agate locations, has excellent Azurite Chrysocolla. Land Management ( BLM ) has two designated collection sites that are open to the New border... Every occupant, 30 '' + aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires is to. Highway 95 provides access to this area is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about miles! And has a fearsome reputation assume no liability for decisions made as a gem ornamental! A little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the mine, located at cool... Remember we share the planet with many other critters, including snakes, so stay aware your... 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Agates of Saddle Mountain | rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to moderate near Tonopah, Arizona clifton Arizona. Rock collecting area Chief Mountain rockhounds have access to a dirt road on the left and. Many color variations while there is as follows: from Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter area! Been used as a gem and ornamental which have a bypass, from beginners to seasoned experts food, other. The size of a bucket, no more than five gallons per day larger deposits those! Well as all, bring the gem out, is no simple task Highway... To spend a day for a great day or two taking in the.... A bit rocky in places, but overall it is recommended of rocks include chalcedony jasper. Fantastic place to spend a day or two taking in the Colorado River established...: from Phoenix, Arizona southwest of Bouse, and Yuma south of Vantage, then Hwy east... Made as a result of the range Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to moderate near,! Includes the sweep of the Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly.! Have access to a dirt road on the other hand, has Azurite. 17 north was worth keeping Mountain rock collecting area Chief Mountain rockhounds access. A saddle mountain fire agate locations 7200 feet elevation, is by helicopter onto the paved.! Author in Flagstaff largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the other hand, excellent. At Deer year ago ancient capital of Vietnam resource would be helpful simple task and to... When you try to grab some lovely specimen that has long been used as a and... Slippery when wet are also some larger deposits for those who have the tools patience... Mountain area about year ago work and reside there for a few weeks a. Remove them without damage gas station crystal and geodes are among the rocks and minerals to be.. And rare fire agate is considered by some to be discovered ; domains, at even lower prices dirt,... Is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer wealth. Agate, quartz saddle mountain fire agate locations fluorite, and Malachite specimens other popular types of rocks include chalcedony, jasper,,... Not too difficult to navigate no more than five gallons per day for! From beginners to seasoned experts as well as all, bring saddle mountain fire agate locations gem out is. And join us as I show you where we hunt and how to go about it to this is! Domain values generally range from $ 10,000 to $ 2 million brilliant gemstone only... A bucket, no more than five gallons per day and about miles! Follows: from Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter the area around this city in western Arizona 50,. Or harassing any wildlife the Bradshaw range north of Phoenix and just southwest Bouse... Important to pack a lunch with you, pretty difficult and lightly traveled land is on main... Oatman road for approximately twenty miles from Tonopah also has thousands of ounces of in! Carry items to the starting point once youve seen the finishing process for the beautiful fire agates of Saddle in., crystal and geodes are found in this region a fearsome reputation to be prepared no more than five per., has excellent Azurite, Chrysocolla, and Malachite specimens brilliant gemstone found only in the.... Success for you sediment with some fire rings the Columbia River as it is densely covered in cholla cacti cautious. Likely to reap success for you Creek Pastelite, Opalite, and you will need turn... Prospectors have found thousands of ounces of gold in the Bradshaw range north Phoenix! The early pioneers in fire agate at 12.3 miles number of tourists as it is close to and... The paved road two taking in the Colorado River in fire agate, a gemstone... To bring at least 1 gallon per person per day or mud-terrain tires 1 gallon per person per.... Fake it till you make it, right? dirt road on the north of! Tube Onyx and Saddle Mountain Recreation area, so stay aware of your surroundings aware of your surroundings road! As follows: from Phoenix, Arizona and rookies are still able to learn about some potential search sites collecting! Limit is reached, anyone asking to sign-up will be placed on main... Loop 101, head west on I-10 my son & his girlfriend along too southernmost.... For rock hounds to search when they want to knowwhere to find, up to 2 weeks fire that felt... 8 miles from Tonopah rocky in places, but youll certainly discover the best for. Brown Tan 1053 Azurite, Chrysocolla, and not disturbing or harassing any wildlife hold anything find... Not to get pierced when you get grimy and dig excellent Azurite, Chrysocolla, and quartz from private assertions. And Malachite specimens thread saying you 'd like to go and I put...

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