During this time, there is a risk of flash floods and thunderstorms. 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. Youre able to trod along the claims for 30 dollars a day and salvage whatever you discover on the land. The lightly used road is 18.18km (11.3 miles) long. A four-wheel drive vehicle that can handle rough roads is recommended. The ground here is a red-brown color. 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Clifton, Arizona, is a little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the New Mexico border with promising rockhounding prospects. The tour lasts for six to eight hours and will cost a group of four people a total of $2,700. The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoint) of Saddle Mountain are 33.4333729 (North), -113.0424058 (West) and the approximate elevation is 1,831 feet (558 meters) above sea level. Ghost Towns and Minerals 156. The Four Peaks Amethyst mine continues to operate in a primitive manner due to its challenging location. The trail to the top of Saddle Mountain is a moderate hike that is about 2.5 miles long. 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. Super-premium domain values generally range from $10,000 to $2 million. Saddle Mountain Road. Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a prime collecting spot for fire agates, an uncommon semi-precious gem found only in Mexico, California and Arizona. The route travels into New Mexico and back into Arizona across about 12 miles of desert dirt road. (A high SUV or other trucks can work too). 51 Burro Creek Campground Apache Tears 177. After 3 miles, turn right onto Salome Highway. 15.2 x 14.2mm Oval Cabochon Multicolor Fire Agate from Mexico, Weight of 11.47ct, Natural untreated gemstone in Translucent Clarity, 1pc Fire Agate - the Color is Multicolor, Mohs Hardness of 6.5 - 7 suitable for daily wear jewelry. If not, park where convenient and walk the road. Rockhounding is ideal for the whole family but remember to carry adequate water, food, and a map. The mine is reached by helicopter for visitors. There are areas where you can metal detect, pan for gold, and sluice for gold. The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Buckets or a Rock Bag are useful to have on hand. Ratings. Nathan Maughan at Saddle Mountain. Allow for at least half a day to do this trail. And stay tuned to the very end for some up-close photos of my finds. 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. You can also find the ThunderEgg/Nodule type of geode that is fully crammed with tiny solid crystal arrangements known as Jasper or Agate. Dedicated rockhounds are usually pleased with their finds here. Sunday 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ. For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. Further research through the BLM resource would be helpful. sarahrose. Follow summer fire restrictions and closures. The BLM has maps to help you get there. The Saddle Mountain fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice addition to any mineral collection. People may surely access chalcedony samples, such as agate and often a variety of minerals, whenever they explore this rockhounding place. $159.00 (15% off) The majority of jaspers are strong dark colors. You, however, have to be mindful of claimed properties and keep in mind that information at some places may have changed recently, so always seek permission before rockhounding. : current registration and insurance), Have functional seat-belts for every occupant, 30"+ aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Azurite, Fluorite, Pyrite, Copper minerals, and calcite are only a few of the minerals that can be found if you know where to look. Use caution when approaching blind hills and corners, and keep a watchful eye for other visitors and livestock. Make sure to pack bandages, disinfectants, and a few other supplies in case of an emergency. The top exposed layer of Columbia River Basalt Group basalt in the Saddle Mountains is the Saddle Mountain Basalt, which ranges from 120 - 240 meters (400 - 800 feet) in thickness and is interspersed by sedimentary layers of the Ellensburg Formation. 8%. 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. Youll pass through a gate at 2.8 miles where the trail veers off to the right momentarily before rejoining the original trail. Building a fabulous online presence starts with a top-quality domain name from DomainMarket.com. 68. One of those mines, the Penney Mine is sometimes open to the public. Agate Mountain is situated nearby to Gibson Ranch. Hope you have a ton of fun! The location is ideal for a mine tour, but the number of specimens available is restricted. Each individual is allowed to dig up a maximum of twenty-five pounds of material per day and 250 lbs in total annually. Please keep safety and private land in mind. Crystal Hill, slightly southeast of Quartzsite, is among Arizonas increasingly common crystal collection spots. Throughout this place, people can find decent discharged quartz crystals. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two designated collection sites that are open to the public year-round. Enjoy a leisurely stroll in the Old Town of Hoi An and visit the historical sites. The private landowners in the area have set these boundaries to protect their property. A three-mile trail leads from the parking lot at the base of Saddle Mountain, to the forest fire lookout at the summit. 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. You can also take a trek and find geodes scattered about, even though they might not be of the highest quality. Jasper is a popular choice among rockhounds since it is tough and polishable. Free shipping. Size. You may get lucky and find both gold and agate as well. Every location mentioned above is likely to reap success for you. April 3, 2013 On eBay One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire Agate Rough 14 grams Flames and white swirls . This scenic area is also considered one of the best by valley rockhounders. 2009-2022 Offroad Passport, LLCSite by Dev Button LLC The mining didnt last long, like most placer mining along rivers, because the larger portion of the prosperous gold ore had been rapidly mined out. fee: $30.00 - $50.00 a day, Tool Rentals, $5.00 a day. Top quality agate and chalcedony samples can be found all throughout the Turtle Mountains south of Needles. Take a luxury cruise to explore Vietnam's World Cultural Heritage site, Halong Bay. While GPS technology allows us to pinpoint any location on the planet, mark the location, and share it with others, Waymarking is the toolset for categorizing and adding unique . If you dont feel like a big challenge, stick to the initial 3.6 mile trail. Don't forget the sunscreen! Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities for rockhounds of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned experts. Lake Superior agate - best locations. Horseshoe . I have wanted to hunt this for a while, just have not had enough time. There are also a number of privately-owned mines that allow limited public participation for a fee. 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. 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! I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago . Fire agate is now being called Arizonas unofficial state mineral. nH 2 0) imbedded within, and commonly completely enclosed by, semi-transparent to translucent layers of . This is a fantastic place to spend a day or two taking in the scenery whilst also building on your rock and mineral collection. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire Agate Rough 14 grams Flames and white swirls. 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