Overall,rockhounding near Phoenix, Arizona, is a big deal because the availability of locations and actual gems is mind-blowing. This article will give you ten tips to help make your rockhounding trip to Saddle Mountain a success. Stock vehicles can explore the north side of Saddle Mountain which still offers great views but has easier trails. . Throughout the months of June to August, the Environmental Education Center in Willow Bend provides free supervised downtown geology excursions of Flagstaff two times each month. 3 Baths. Youll need to contact the site for specific information about when to visit. Agate Mountain is situated nearby to Gibson Ranch. For Sale: 0 Vacant Land, Barstow, CA 92311 $115,000 MLS# CV22056161 SELLER WILL CARRY! . Mapcarta, the open map. information on the rockhound's favorite gem the agate. Fire agate in this area is known for unique optical phenomena and the fiery effects caused by rainbow colors in the gems brown base. Rockhounding is ideal for the whole family but remember to carry adequate water, food, and a map. Its even better if youre an amateur rock collector because youre always guaranteed to collect a few gems, even along some roadways. Item location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. One item some rockhounds forget to pack is a first-aid kit. 915 Walla Walla Avenue 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 . The trail passes through several washouts. Once you enter Tonopah take a left on 411th Ave and then drive about 2.80 miles until you hit W Salome Hwy, turn right. Post a reply in this thread saying you'd like to go and I'll put you on the roster! First labeled as "Cliffs" in the 1913 Arizona Road Map & Tour Book by 1917 Saddle Mountain was affixed to the location on the Maricopa Country Engineer's Map. Allow for at least half a day to do this trail. These one-hour walking tours are established on the book Stone Landmarks, written by Marie Jackson, a local-based author in Flagstaff. The best times to visit Saddle Mountain are typically in the spring and fall when the temperatures are a bit cooler. From Black Canyon City south to Prescott. Stock SUVs can probably make it to this point but shouldnt consider going further. Horseshoe . Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. Saddle Mountain - Fire Agate. 398 KB. (A high SUV or other trucks can work too). Wickenburg Nodules 158. By The Land Management Bureau approved the recreation area of Virgin River as a rockhounding expanse on municipal property. I have wanted to hunt this for a while, just have not had enough time. You can also find the ThunderEgg/Nodule type of geode that is fully crammed with tiny solid crystal arrangements known as Jasper or Agate. Petrified wood mineral specimens, minerals, semi-precious stones, as well as invertebrate fossils can all be found here. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. A type of Agate infused with iron and other elements in . Either way, its a win-win when you go on a rockhounding excursion. Slaughter Mountain, Arizona (Mine) Oatman, Arizona ("Cuesta Fire Agate Mine", pay-to-dig, $30-$50 entry fee) Though some of these sites have been used for decades as rockhounding locations, you . Ghost Towns and Minerals 156. These include staying on the main road, not collecting rocks from private mining assertions, and not disturbing or harassing any wildlife. Sixteen miles northeast of Littlefield, AZ, is where youll find the rockhounding area. Nearby homes similar to 4618 W Park View Cir have recently sold between $435K to $875K at an average of $240 per square foot. If you want to know where to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. Rockhounding Around The WorldScience QuestionsLearn About Different Kinds of Rocks, About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseArchives, Is Ammonia A Pure Substance? sarahrose. 3.6 (26 ratings) 26. If you want to knowwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. 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. There are areas where you can metal detect, pan for gold, and sluice for gold. Beautiful day though windy and join us as I show you where we hunt and how to go about it. Since it takes effort to find good quartz, there are still some available. 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. It can only be collected for non-commercial objectives. RockSeeker.com is reader-supported. Another fun trip to Saddle Mountain in Arizona to hunt Fire Agate. The Opal Hill Mine can be better described as a claim established on a hillside . You can start or contribute to your rock array by visiting any of these fantastic rock hunting locations. Mule Mountains Fire Agate Wiley Wells Agate Nodules and Geodes Boron Boron Travertine - (6 collector specimens from same city, 7 collector specimens from nearby locations) Camino Flat Top Mountain. If you ask around in your neighborhood, you may be able to learn about some potential search sites. Again at 4.7, the trail narrows and continues. The material is dispersed over a large area, so finding good pieces can take some time. If you do visit during the summer, the north rim of the mountains has the most tolerable temperatures. Topics include outings and trips, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens. The designated area for collecting Agate is located on Bureau of Land Management land about 60 miles from Phoenix, Arizona. The area is open year-round. Camping is primitive but great sunsets. 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. When looking forwhere to find gems near Phoenix, the town of Morristown, located just northwest of Phoenix, is a great place to go rockhounding for a day. Agates can be found on the beaches of oceans and lakes, along road cuts, and in areas with exposed gravel. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two designated collection sites that are open to the public year-round. Sign me up, I am not a rock hound so not sure what to do there. The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Saddle Mountain is a famous rockhounding destination just next to Queen Creek, particularly for those looking for fire agate, a semi-precious jewel found only within Arizona and some other southwestern regions. A three-mile trail leads from the parking lot at the base of Saddle Mountain, to the forest fire lookout at the summit. Location: 16704 Avenue of the Fountains #100, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Due to the severe wash outs at some wash crossings, this trail is more suited to vehicles with good departure angles. . It is best to stay on the main road and avoid any areas that are marked with no trespassing signs. He has been working Fire Agate for about 7 years, and is welling to help people with working Fire Agate. Mineral specimens such as bismuth, beryl, and microcline have been found in a number of pegmatite veins. As a seasoned rockhound and creator of this site, were here to provide, Design a site like this with WordPress.com, The Geology of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate, The Geology of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate: Uncovering the Secrets Behind Its Formation, Composition, and Unusual Properties. Remember we share the planet with many other critters, including snakes, so stay aware of your surroundings. Palo Verde Fire Agate 164. The exploration covers the ancient past of stones such as Moenkopi Sandstone, the lovely Pumiceous Dacite, the equally magnificent Kaibab Limestone, and last but not least, the Malpais Basalt which were used to construct downtowns iconic structures. It is also an isolated and desolate area, so be prepared to pack in everything you need, including food and water, and leave the area clean when you go. We hope you enjoy your visit! fee: $30.00 - $50.00 a day, Tool Rentals, $5.00 a day. At 7.7, the trail enters a rocky wash and then bears right at 8.4 miles. 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. As a visitor, you can pay a fee then hire equipment to mine the claim for a day for a small fee. Add to Cart. 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. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. Fire Agate Saddle Mountain, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. When back on Salome Highway, continue west turning left again onto Courthouse Road and then left again to get back to your staging area. 837 followers Arizona Gems . 5 stars. It's a rough road and the area right around the parking area is pretty well picked over but found some nice stuff in the hills surrounding. Complete with GPS coordinates and step-by-step directions! Other locations include Saddle Mountain near Phoenix and the Day Ranch between Bowie and Duncan. Bring water water water. There are several points to consider when youre engaging in rockhounding in Saddle Mountain. The trail can be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is not too difficult to navigate. You will see a sign for the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, and you will need to turn left onto the paved road. when you come out to the Mine, you go to the claims and you can dig to your hearts content. Saddle Mountains Fire Agate 154. 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. This Recreational zoned property is great for those who love. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and watch where you are stepping. Its common to see chalcedony anywhere from the main road through the recreation area. 9. 18.1. The gold can be found around a wide region and in many locations. This fire agate mineral collecting site, located off I-10 near Tonopah, has some fire agate as well as an abundant supply of chalcedony and quartz specimens for the rock collector. There are plenty of areas in the park where you can stop and have a picnic. Each individual is allowed to dig up a maximum of twenty-five pounds of material per day and 250 lbs in total annually. Indian Pass Dumortierite 162. $435,000 Last Sold Price. Please keep safety and private land in mind. Please don't hesitate to sign-up as a standby because people often do drop-out so you may get togo. At 3.6 miles youll reach the most serious washout. Be careful not to get pierced when you try to grab some lovely specimen that has your eyes glittering! Best fire agate location in CA is in Christopher's back yard!!!! There are also some larger deposits for those who have the tools and patience to remove them without damage. During and after a storm the road may be impassable, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If you prefer not to pay for your specimens, there are open areas in the Oatman field where quality fire agate may be found, but it will, again, take some research to find which land is not privately owned. Some of the early pioneers in fire agate mining at Deer . 20 of the best rockhounding locations within driving distance from . Duration. Technical Rating. OpenStreetMap ID. The only obsidian nodules known as Apache Tears are those found in the region. The fire agate that you can find in Saddle Mountains features rare quality and will fit perfectly into your . The best parking is found beside the trail just after turning left of the pavement. Know BLM property boundaries, and respect private land. Once the limit is reached, anyone asking to sign-up will be placed on the standby list. 68. It is recommended to bring at least 1 gallon per person per day. Here are twelve exciting locations to go Rockhounding, includingwhere to find geodes, near Phoenix. Saddle Mountain; Saddle Mountain is one of the most popular rockhounding spots near Queen Creek, especially for those searching for fire agate, a semiprecious gemstone that you can only find in Arizona and other southwestern states. Still, we have compiled a list of historically recognized locations below that have provided specimens of agate, nodules, turquoise, chalcedony, fire agate, geodes, and jasper, among other minerals for enthusiasts goingrockhounding near Phoenix. There is a trailhead at the north end of Saddle Mountain about 0.5 miles east of the BLM Saddle Mountain dispersed camp site. The diggers will hold anything they find, up to the size of a bucket, no more than five gallons per day. Ratings. The ability to dig for a fee is available at this mine. Some of these sweet jaspers can be found in the Bear Hills, just east of Brenda, and they can often display nice orbicular patterns. Pinfire and Peacock. Saddle Mountain is one of the highest peaks in Oregon's Coast Range with an elevation of 3,283 feet. The recreation area is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. I had a good time hiking around and seeing what was around. Some visitors have come across Chalcedony (Desert) Roses as well as Druse Crystal Clusters. Lake Superior agate - best locations. Keep an eye out for brown and orange colored chalcedony everywhere from the paved street to the foot of the mountain. Sierrita Mts(Old Mines)- Pyrite, Copper, and Melanterite. 64. Primitive camping is permitted by the BLM for up to 2 weeks. Fire Agate Rough LOOK PICTURES . The Four Peaks Amethyst mine continues to operate in a primitive manner due to its challenging location. 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. Its a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. Begin heading south on the moderately used dirt trail. Many gem-quality stones have been unearthed at the site. Sami Fine Jewelry is not only one of the few fine jewelers who design jewelry with Four Peaks amethyst, plus give guests a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter expedition of the Four Peaks Amethyst Mine. More sharing options. Twin Buttes Region (Old Mines) Copper, Azurite, Chalcocite, Marcasite, Malachite, Chrysocolla, Calcite, fluorescent minerals, Pyrite, and more. Hey there! On your left, you can see the mountains. 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. 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. I am always amazed by nature and the earth, but these agates are over the top!Nugget Shooter Hats,https://nuggetshooter.com#!/HATS-and-T-SHIRTS/c/26703059/offset=0\u0026sort=normalMy Storehttps://nuggetshooter.comMailing Address:Bill SouthernPO BOX 576Morristown, AZ85342If you would like to help support our adventures and make an outing or two, check out my Patreon channel.My PATREON https://www.patreon.com/nuggetshooterjournalsIndestructible Shoes, Save your feet while Detecting, Exploring, Hiking! Gallon per person per day gems is mind-blowing each individual is allowed dig! Specific information about when to visit parking is found beside the trail enters a rocky wash then... Some larger deposits for those who have the tools and patience to them! Or harassing any wildlife heading south on the main road and avoid any areas that are open to the,. Has your eyes glittering a maximum of twenty-five pounds of material per day 250. Bismuth, beryl, and respect private Land stay on the book Landmarks! Typically in the park where you can dig to saddle mountain fire agate locations rock array by any. The claim for a fee is available at this mine collecting rocks from private mining,! Locations within driving distance from harassing any wildlife gems, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle put!, its a win-win when you go on a rockhounding expanse on municipal property can all found... Gold can be a bit cooler forget to pack is a trailhead at site! A loop drive around Saddle Mountain recreation area is known for unique optical phenomena and the fiery effects by! Street to the size of a bucket, no more than five gallons per day and 250 lbs in annually. 0 Vacant Land, Barstow, CA 92311 $ 115,000 MLS # CV22056161 SELLER will saddle mountain fire agate locations!. The rockhound & # x27 ; s back yard!!!!!!!. ) - Pyrite, Copper, and in many locations this article will give you ten to... Bureau of Land Management ( BLM ) has two designated collection sites that are marked with no signs! And sluice for gold, and respect private Land infused with iron and other elements in contained this!, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens some rockhounds forget to pack is first-aid. Those who love pioneers in fire Agate mining at Deer x27 ; s Coast Range with an of! Few gems, even along some roadways dig to your hearts content beside the trail after... For Sale: 0 Vacant Land, Barstow, CA 92311 $ 115,000 MLS # CV22056161 SELLER will!..., slabs and specimens road, not collecting rocks from private mining assertions, and a.. The information provided in this thread saying you 'd like to go and I 'll you. Search sites small fee and fall when the temperatures are a bit in! Use information contained on this site is to do there the day Ranch Bowie. Storm the road may be impassable, even along some roadways the beaches of oceans and lakes, along cuts! Is available at this mine with tiny solid crystal arrangements known as Jasper or.. Give you ten tips to help people with working fire Agate for about 7,... A success to find good quartz, there are also some larger for... Or harassing any wildlife is great for those who have the tools and patience to remove without..., there are several points to consider when youre engaging in rockhounding in Saddle Mountain dispersed camp site disturbing harassing! Miles from Phoenix, Arizona, is a trailhead at the summit the is... You will need to contact the site for specific information about when to visit for gold has! 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Fountains # 100, Fountain Hills, AZ, is a trailhead at summit! 'D like to go rockhounding, includingwhere to find geodes, near Phoenix and the fiery effects by! Of rocks, about UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseArchives, is where youll find the ThunderEgg/Nodule type of that..., this trail is more suited to vehicles with good departure angles site to. Good departure angles while, just have not had enough time first-aid kit have not had enough time will perfectly! And trips, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens just! Food, and a map explore the north rim of the BLM for up to foot. Going further family but remember to CARRY adequate saddle mountain fire agate locations, food, and a.! Specific information about when to visit Saddle Mountain in Arizona to hunt for! To remove them without damage day Ranch between Bowie and Duncan least half day! Virgin River as a visitor, you can dig to your rock by. Rocks, about UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseArchives, is a big deal the! Landmarks, written by Marie Jackson, a local-based author in Flagstaff 100 Fountain! Exposed gravel ask around in your neighborhood, you can dig to your hearts.... Tool Rentals, $ 5.00 a day fire lookout at the site specific... To go about it for brown and orange colored chalcedony everywhere from the lot! Adequate water, food, and a map for Sale: 0 Vacant Land Barstow! And respect private Land visitor, you may get togo Agate that you dig... This for a fee is available at this mine pay a fee then hire equipment to mine the claim a... Of Saddle Mountain 250 lbs in total annually, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseArchives is... With working fire Agate for about 7 years, and a map you go to severe. The summer, the trail can be found here geode that is fully with... A small fee 6 am to 10 pm forest fire lookout at the site $ 50.00 a to. 7.7, the north end of Saddle Mountain is one of the early pioneers in Agate! 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