The trail passes through two additional washouts, both of which have a bypass that is less difficult. Wish we could go but I have this weekend booked Great trip idea!! Another fun trip to Saddle Mountain in Arizona to hunt Fire Agate. This is a perfect place to hunt for quality specimens because there are so many color variations. North America. . 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. You will see a sign for the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, and you will need to turn left onto the paved road. Cave Creek Agate and Jasper 174. If you like to have a physical book in hand (like when theres no cell service), heres a few popular options: Rockhounding Arizona: A Guide To 75 Of The States Best Rockhounding Sites, Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem and Mineral Guide. The fire agate in this area often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and the terrain is rugged. Detailed description: How to get there is as follows: From Phoenix, Arizona, take Highway 17 north. Sign me up, I am not a rock hound so not sure what to do there. Agate is a common semiprecious silica mineral that has long been used as a gem and ornamental. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire agate spot. Between Kingman and Oatman, the Cuesta Fire Agate Mine can be found when you exit Route 66. (232) $135.15. Due to the risk of washouts and rough terrain in some areas, all vehicles are required to have high clearance and four-wheel drive. 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. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! There used to be a way that connected this point back to the staging area and main 4-way intersection near the beginning of the trail, but with new trails built to service the power line, those appear to be gone. There is a cleared parking area with some fire rings. Nathan Maughan at Saddle Mountain. 15%. The fire agate found in the Saddle Mountains is of high caliber and will complement your . Click the image for driving directions and a KML file. Take Hwy 243 south of Vantage, then Hwy 24 east to Mattawa. Other locations include Saddle Mountain near Phoenix and the Day Ranch between Bowie and Duncan. . Since there are so many of them, youll quickly become picky on what to collect. Since it takes effort to find good quartz, there are still some available. When visiting Saddle Mountain, make sure to follow the tips we have provided so that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Red Cloud Mine Area 166. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Or Compound? The trail to the top of Saddle Mountain is a moderate hike that is about 2.5 miles long. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. You can also go picnicking or camping in the recreation area. 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. They might be able to wiggle a geode out from the rocky terrain with some effort. One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. (source). Select bits, on the other hand, will have pleasant banding and color variance. If you are coming from the Phoenix area, it will take you about an hour to get there. Agate is the most common variety of chalcedony which is a form of quartz. Weve created an ultimate guide to gifts for rockhounds with helpful links directly to Amazon to make product evaluation and review easy! Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. If you decide to visit some of these abandoned mines, be sure to obtain permission from the homeowners, avoid going underground, and exercise extreme caution at all times. The best bet is to follow underneath the power lines or continue north back to Salome Highway. From the interchange of I-10 & Loop 101, head west on I-10. The wide-open pits are littered with piles of malachite, azurite, among other copper ores. Follow summer fire restrictions and closures. A search and discovery video of semi-precious gems and beautiful desert scenery. 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. If you don't live near any of those areas that doesn't necessarily mean that . Laws are updated. You may use it to make jewelry by putting it in a stone tumbler or cutting it into cabochons. The beds were discovered back in the late 1930s by Joel Hauser, a Blythe native who used his small Ford truck to explore the hills and collect gems. The Land Management Bureau approved the recreation area of Virgin River as a rockhounding expanse on municipal property. Our marketplace also has thousands of "close out" domains, at even lower prices! Never leave your essential gears and supplies like drinking water, a small shovel, gloves, a fully charged cellphone, and a bucket. Allow for at least half a day to do this trail. Item Information. These include staying on the main road, not collecting rocks from private mining assertions, and not disturbing or harassing any wildlife. Mark K Cave Dweller. Sunday 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ. April 3, 2013 On eBay One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. The Saddle Mountain Basalt is composed of the Umatilla Member flows, the Wilbur Creek Member flows, the Asotin . There are several points to consider when youre engaging in rockhounding in Saddle Mountain. 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. Please don't hesitate to sign-up as a standby because people often do drop-out so you may get togo. It is recommended to bring at least 1 gallon per person per day. Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities for rockhounds of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned experts. Dont hunt rocks without permission on these properties. Rocky McCall, Marysville Club suggested we "keep the Maughans in the loop," so Nathan Maughan was contacted. Arizona is home to a number of dangerous animals, including scorpions and rattlesnakes. The diggers will hold anything they find, up to the size of a bucket, no more than five gallons per day. I know there are a few of them..Oatman, Saddle Mtnwhich location has the best shot of getting a good piece or two of the beautiful agate? However, it is important to keep in mind that the weather can change quickly in Arizona, so be alert and stay prepared for severe weather events. This area is also popular for rock-hounders who will find both fire agate and chalcedony on the north side of the range. The material is dispersed over a large area, so finding good pieces can take some time. 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 A type of Agate infused with iron and other elements in such a manner that in some cases, it looks as if there's fire inside of it, Fire Agate can only be found in a few Southwest states, as well as Mexico. Saddle Mountain is also a desert area, so it is also important to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Mineral specimens such as Fluorite, Agate, Garnet, and Jasper can be found in excellent condition. Lake Superior agate - best locations. You will have a whale of a time, especially since the variety of gems in this area is vast. natural=peak. Scan for abandoned holes and start digging. For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. Several miles east of Mattawa, turn left on "R" road to climb the foothills of the Saddle Mountains to BLM-managed land. A passenger car should be able to handle it. Be careful not to get pierced when you try to grab some lovely specimen that has your eyes glittering! Share YOUR roads!We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more! At 7.7, the trail enters a rocky wash and then bears right at 8.4 miles. You may get lucky and find both gold and agate as well. TIP: . The rock is made up of cryptocrystalline Silica minerals suspended in a glassy suspension, which forms when magma is supercooled. Some of these sweet jaspers can be found in the Bear Hills, just east of Brenda, and they can often display nice orbicular patterns. This area attracts a large number of tourists as it is close to Quartzsite and overall ease of access for your rockhounding Arizona expedition. Natural erosion such as wind and rain continue to help uncover new raw materials throughout the year. Locality type: Mountain: Classification: Species: Quartz var: Fire Agate: Formula: SiO 2: . Obsidian is a volcanic glass made mostly of Silicates, but it contains a diverse range of elements, making it a rock rather than a mineral. Stay straight at 11.6 miles and again at 12.3 miles. There is a sign near milepost 141 on Highway 191 marking the graded dirt road to the site. A helicopter tour of the Four Peaks amethyst mine is among the most spectacular gemstone adventures accessible in the United States. This Recreational zoned property is great for those who love. And stay tuned to the very end for some up-close photos of my finds. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire Agate Rough 14 grams Flames and white swirls. Now is your chance to own 40 acres of land! As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Saddle Mountain's distinctive size and shape make it the predominant landform on the . S of Apache Nat. If not, park where convenient and walk the road. OHVs and aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the trail. Visitors are encouraged to explore the west end of the Saddle Mountains due to the amount of private land intermixed with BLM-managed lands on the east end. Diggings can be found on the sides of the hills, where you can rummage through the green ash for geodes. Petrified wood, mineral specimens, semi-precious stones, and invertebrate fossils can all be found here. He has met with the BLM and they are going to redo the map at the kiosk and print up a number of official signs to be placed around the properties. Hope you have a ton of fun! We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. Unnamed Fire Agate site [1] Peirce, H.W. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Weve created an ultimate guide to gifts for rockhounds with helpful links directly to Amazon to make product evaluation and review easy! Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/Saddle%20Mountains_Color_0.pdf. While some are collectors dreams based on value, others are simply beautiful and can help to spruce up the unique look of your home. Saddle Mountain is known for its especially beautiful scenery and ruggedness. 398 KB. The only way to carry items to the mine, as well as all, bring the gem out, is by helicopter. Jasper is one of the most plentiful and widely distributed minerals in the state of Arizona. There are several mines here, but probably the most notable fire agate source in this region is the Cuesta Fire Agate Mine. Rockhounding is ideal for the whole family but remember to carry adequate water, food, and a map. 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. You can also take a trek and find geodes scattered about, even though they might not be of the highest quality. Wikidata ID. Rockhounds have access to a campground that is available at this location. This Two-week Camping Zone at Dome Rock Mountain is ideal for rockhounding Arizona Just like Littlefield, The Land Management Bureau appointed this public property as a rockhounding field. It is recommended to wear hiking boots and bring plenty of water. 49 Big Horn Mountains Fluorite and Selenite 168. Rockhounding Around The WorldScience QuestionsLearn About Different Kinds of Rocks, About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseArchives, Is Ammonia A Pure Substance? A four-wheel drive vehicle that can handle rough roads is recommended. This is the second BLM designated collection site. Building a fabulous online presence starts with a top-quality domain name from DomainMarket.com. Home. Thats just what youre looking for! Located near Tonopah, Arizona and easily accessible from I-10, this location is considered one of the best in the state for collecting stunning, fiery Fire Agate specimens. Throughout this place, people can find decent discharged quartz crystals. . The tour furthermore emphasizes the evolution of architectural techniques, shifting tastes for different forms of rock, and historic occurrences. 4x4tographer, November 25, 2020 in Trip & Event Planning/Sign-up, Sunday 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ. Just as an FYI, always make sure someone knows where you are going and how long you intend to be gone beforehand when visiting isolated areas. No facilities are present in this area, and snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads. Expect extreme heat in summer and windy, frigid conditions in winter. Once youve had your limit of rockhounding, take a stroll on some of the pathways that snake through the region, or pitch a tent so you can drill down early the next day. Buckets or a Rock Bag are useful to have on hand. However, space is restricted, and reservations are needed. When one thinks of a mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come to mind. Hey there! Box 4099 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 Arizona Geological Survey 416 W. Congress, Suite #100, Tucson, Arizona 85701 There are no water fountains or water sources available in the recreation area, so you will need to pack all of the water you will need for your trip. Nov 10, 2015 - Fire Agates Saddle Mountain, Arizona, fire agate mineral deposit location. SOLD FEB 13, 2023. Always be respectful of privately-owned property and mines. The Saddle Mountain area has quite a bit of free range in which to search for fire agates. Make sure you close them behind you. VN16: 12 Days Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. These areas are often rich in rocks and minerals. Also, If you do look around Saddle Mountain, you may have more luck near the southern side of the mountain. Both of which have a bypass that is available at this location road? Click here to send all! 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