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1998 Field Trips
Index:
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Gold; a working Gold Mine tour
Leader: Ray Horton
Fee or Donation: $7.00; children under 12 - $4.00; $5.00 for gold panning only
Health Hazards: Parking lot and panning area may be muddy.
Terrain: Mountains
Elevation: ~8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any; may need to carpool due to limited parking space.
Equipment Suggested: Gold pan (if you have one); hard hat (if you have one) and boots.
Water: Available in nearby Idaho Springs
Nearest Town for Supplies: Idaho Springs, CO (2 miles to the north)
Nearest Motel is in: Idaho Springs, CO (2 miles to the north)
Additional Comments: Parking is limited, so carpool if possible. Gold panning if weather permits. Bring a lunch. The mine tunnel is cool and damp. Bring warm clothes. Cameras and video recorders are welcome. Gold pans may be purchased at the mine's gift shop. Mineral specimens also for sale.
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Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Pyrite nodules (pseudomorphed from marcasite?) in limestone; calcite.
Leader: Bob Johnson
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Sunburn; possible rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Deserty high plains.
Elevation: ~5000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Pick, shovel, rock hammer, chisels, scratcher and collecting bag.
Water: Available in nearby Penrose
Nearest Town for Supplies: Penrose, CO
Nearest Motel is in: Canon City, CO
Additional Comments: Site is on private commercial land, so please obey all posted and spoken rules. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Blue Barite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Can be hot, cold and/or windy; Sunburn (no shade); possible rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Grassy plains and barren cliffs.
Elevation: ~4500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, crack hammer, chisels, prybar, pick, wedges and something to hold your specimens (such as egg cartons and tissues).
Camping: 2 miles from digging area
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south)
Nearest Motel is in: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south)
Additional Comments: Digging is in rock-hard clay. No open fires. Fill in holes. If wet or muddy, do not drive on access road; park on main road and hike in. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Topaz, Bixbyite, Pseudobrookite, Garnets and Red Beryl
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Desert conditions (can be hot, cold and/or windy); may snow; possible scorpions, rattlesnakes and bugs; sunburn.
Terrain: Barren desert mountains.
Elevation: approximately 5300 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (some rough roads)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, chisels, crack hammer, 1/8" steel rod (curled), screen, screwdriver and egg cartons to hold your specimens.
Camping: within sight of digging area
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Delta, UT (50 miles to the southwest)
Nearest Motel is in: Delta, UT (50 miles to the southwest)
Additional Comments: No facilities. The Dugway Geode Beds location is just north of Topaz Mt. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite and Topaz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Fee or Donation: Optional Forest Service donation
Health Hazards: Ticks
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; trees.
Elevation: 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, screen and small prybar.
Camping: 0 to 2 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground
Nearest Town for Supplies: 21 miles away
Nearest Motel is in: 21 miles away
Additional Comments: Dry camp. Last few miles on bladed forest road. 0-2 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Petrified Wood
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn if sunny.
Terrain: Rolling hills and trees
Elevation: approximately 6,500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, scratcher, collecting bag.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 5 miles away in Elizabeth
Additional Comments: Collecting site is on private property. Fill in all holes. Do not cross any fences or drive around on site without permission. Leave all gates the way you found them. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz and Topaz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Fee or Donation: $7.00 per night if camping
Health Hazards: Mosquitos!!!!
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; trees.
Elevation: 8700 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, hammer, prybar, screen and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: at the Spruce Grove Campground; 1 1/4 miles from collecting site.
Water: Available at campground
Nearest Town for Supplies: Lake George, CO (15 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Lake George, CO (15 miles away)
Additional Comments: Paved road to campground. May have potholes. 1 1/4 mile hike over moderate terrain to collecting site; one steep hill. Toilets available. Bring lots of mosquito repellant!!! BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Public property
To Collect: Petrified Wood and Agate
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn if sunny; mosquitos and ticks.
Terrain: High desert
Elevation: appoximately 7200 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels and collecting bag.
Camping: near collecting sites
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Farson, WY
Nearest Motel is in: Farson, WY
Additional Comments: Toilets available at camp site. Several free field trips each day, including the Blue Forest and gold panning (bring your own pan). Saturday night potluck dinner. Bring swapping material if you wish to swap. One motel in Farson; more in Rock Springs which is 35 miles to the south. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite and Topaz
Leader: Ron Knoshaug
Fee or Donation: Optional Forest Service donation
Health Hazards: Ticks
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; trees.
Elevation: 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, screen and small prybar.
Camping: 0 to 2 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground
Nearest Town for Supplies: 21 miles away
Nearest Motel is in: 21 miles away
Additional Comments: With the RAMS club. Dry camp. Last few miles on bladed forest road. 0-2 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: BLM campground
To Collect: Garnets and Topaz
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: $7.00/vehicle/night at Ruby Mt.; free at Contin-Tail
Health Hazards: Loose rocks; Arkansas river with strong currents (watch small children)
Terrain: Steep cliff and river
Elevation: approximately 6800 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Pick, hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Camping at site for a fee or at Contin-Tail swap meet in Buena Vista for free.
Water: Not Available at Ruby Mt.; Available at Contin-Tail Rock Swap.
Nearest Town for Supplies: 8 miles away in Buena Vista
Nearest Motel is in: 8 miles away in Buena Vista
Additional Comments: Garnets and Topaz are in very hard rhyolite; hard-rock labor necessary. Contin-Tail is also putting on a children's rock hunting area, a Friday night fluorescent rock presentation, and a Saturday night potluck dinner. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: ThunderEggs, Jasper and Agate at Del Norte. Amethyst at La Garita.
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Rattlesnakes and sunburn.
Terrain: Dry hills, scrub and pinon pine trees.
Elevation: approximately 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: near the Del Norte digging area
Water: Not Available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Del Norte (8 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Del Norte (8 miles away)
Additional Comments: The group will dig at the Del Norte site on Saturday and, if the group would like to go to the La Garita site, the trip leader will lead the group there. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Aquamarine, Fluorite, Phenakite and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Dr. Andy Taylor
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Extremely high altitude; cold; windy; rain, snow, hail; lightning in afternoon; sunburn if sunny; rockslides (loose rocks).
Terrain: Steep, bare, rocky mountains; above the tree-line.
Elevation: 12,000 - 14,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD REQUIRED!!!
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels, garden scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: 0-2 miles from digging site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Buena Vista
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Buena Vista
Additional Comments: Afternoon storms are common. Elevation at camp is 12,000 ft. All collecting areas are above 12,500 ft. Extremely rough roads. BACK TO TOP
| March 14 | Phoenix Gold Mine (Idaho Springs, CO) | |
| April 25 | Portland Quarry (Penrose, CO) | |
| May 9 - 10 | Stoneham, CO | |
| May 23 - 25 | Topaz Mt., Thomas Range, Utah | |
| June 13 - 14 | Devil's Head (Sedalia, CO) Trip #1 | |
| June 21 | Elizabeth, CO | |
| June 27 - 28 | Spruce Grove/Tarryall Mtns., CO | |
| July 3 - 5 | Big Sandy Resevoir (Farson, Wyoming) | |
| July 25 - 26 | Devil's Head (Sedalia, CO) Trip #2 | |
| August 9 | Ruby Mt., CO | |
| August 22 - 23 | Del Norte and La Garita, CO | |
| September 5 - 7 | Mt. Antero (Nathrop, CO) |
Phoenix Gold Mine, Idaho Springs, CO Trip
March 14
Trip Pictures
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Gold; a working Gold Mine tour
Leader: Ray Horton
Fee or Donation: $7.00; children under 12 - $4.00; $5.00 for gold panning only
Health Hazards: Parking lot and panning area may be muddy.
Terrain: Mountains
Elevation: ~8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any; may need to carpool due to limited parking space.
Equipment Suggested: Gold pan (if you have one); hard hat (if you have one) and boots.
Water: Available in nearby Idaho Springs
Nearest Town for Supplies: Idaho Springs, CO (2 miles to the north)
Nearest Motel is in: Idaho Springs, CO (2 miles to the north)
Additional Comments: Parking is limited, so carpool if possible. Gold panning if weather permits. Bring a lunch. The mine tunnel is cool and damp. Bring warm clothes. Cameras and video recorders are welcome. Gold pans may be purchased at the mine's gift shop. Mineral specimens also for sale.
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Portland Quarry, Pueblo, CO Trip
April 25
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Pyrite nodules (pseudomorphed from marcasite?) in limestone; calcite.
Leader: Bob Johnson
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Sunburn; possible rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Deserty high plains.
Elevation: ~5000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Pick, shovel, rock hammer, chisels, scratcher and collecting bag.
Water: Available in nearby Penrose
Nearest Town for Supplies: Penrose, CO
Nearest Motel is in: Canon City, CO
Additional Comments: Site is on private commercial land, so please obey all posted and spoken rules.
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Stoneham, CO Trip
May 9-10
Rescheduled to October Due to Heavy Rains
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Blue Barite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Can be hot, cold and/or windy; Sunburn (no shade); possible rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Grassy plains and barren cliffs.
Elevation: ~4500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, crack hammer, chisels, prybar, pick, wedges and something to hold your specimens (such as egg cartons and tissues).
Camping: 2 miles from digging area
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south)
Nearest Motel is in: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south)
Additional Comments: Digging is in rock-hard clay. No open fires. Fill in holes. If wet or muddy, do not drive on access road; park on main road and hike in.
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Topaz Mt., Thomas Range, Utah Trip
May 23-25 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Trip Report and Pictures!
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Topaz, Bixbyite, Pseudobrookite, Garnets and Red Beryl
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Desert conditions (can be hot, cold and/or windy); may snow; possible scorpions, rattlesnakes and bugs; sunburn.
Terrain: Barren desert mountains.
Elevation: approximately 5300 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (some rough roads)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, chisels, crack hammer, 1/8" steel rod (curled), screen, screwdriver and egg cartons to hold your specimens.
Camping: within sight of digging area
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Delta, UT (50 miles to the southwest)
Nearest Motel is in: Delta, UT (50 miles to the southwest)
Additional Comments: No facilities. The Dugway Geode Beds location is just north of Topaz Mt.
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Devil's Head, CO Trip
June 13-14
Trip Pictures!
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite and Topaz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Fee or Donation: Optional Forest Service donation
Health Hazards: Ticks
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; trees.
Elevation: 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, screen and small prybar.
Camping: 0 to 2 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground
Nearest Town for Supplies: 21 miles away
Nearest Motel is in: 21 miles away
Additional Comments: Dry camp. Last few miles on bladed forest road. 0-2 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms.
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Elizabeth, CO Trip
June 21 (Rescheduled from September 27)
September date cancelled due to change of land ownership.
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Private property; permission REQUIRED (club members already have permission)
To Collect: Petrified Wood
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn if sunny.
Terrain: Rolling hills and trees
Elevation: approximately 6,500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, scratcher, collecting bag.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 5 miles away in Elizabeth
Additional Comments: Collecting site is on private property. Fill in all holes. Do not cross any fences or drive around on site without permission. Leave all gates the way you found them.
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Spruce Grove/Taryall Mtns., CO Trip
June 27-28
Trip Report and Pictures!
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz and Topaz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Fee or Donation: $7.00 per night if camping
Health Hazards: Mosquitos!!!!
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; trees.
Elevation: 8700 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, hammer, prybar, screen and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: at the Spruce Grove Campground; 1 1/4 miles from collecting site.
Water: Available at campground
Nearest Town for Supplies: Lake George, CO (15 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Lake George, CO (15 miles away)
Additional Comments: Paved road to campground. May have potholes. 1 1/4 mile hike over moderate terrain to collecting site; one steep hill. Toilets available. Bring lots of mosquito repellant!!!
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Big Sandy Rock Swap in Farson, WY
July 3-5
Trip Report!
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: Public property
To Collect: Petrified Wood and Agate
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn if sunny; mosquitos and ticks.
Terrain: High desert
Elevation: appoximately 7200 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels and collecting bag.
Camping: near collecting sites
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Farson, WY
Nearest Motel is in: Farson, WY
Additional Comments: Toilets available at camp site. Several free field trips each day, including the Blue Forest and gold panning (bring your own pan). Saturday night potluck dinner. Bring swapping material if you wish to swap. One motel in Farson; more in Rock Springs which is 35 miles to the south.
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Devil's Head, CO Trip #2
July 25-26
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite and Topaz
Leader: Ron Knoshaug
Fee or Donation: Optional Forest Service donation
Health Hazards: Ticks
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; trees.
Elevation: 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, screen and small prybar.
Camping: 0 to 2 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground
Nearest Town for Supplies: 21 miles away
Nearest Motel is in: 21 miles away
Additional Comments: With the RAMS club. Dry camp. Last few miles on bladed forest road. 0-2 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms.
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Ruby Mt., CO Trip
(Contin-Tail Rock Swap)
August 9
Contin' Tail Rock Swap Report
Ruby Mt. Trip Pictures!
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: BLM campground
To Collect: Garnets and Topaz
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: $7.00/vehicle/night at Ruby Mt.; free at Contin-Tail
Health Hazards: Loose rocks; Arkansas river with strong currents (watch small children)
Terrain: Steep cliff and river
Elevation: approximately 6800 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Pick, hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Camping at site for a fee or at Contin-Tail swap meet in Buena Vista for free.
Water: Not Available at Ruby Mt.; Available at Contin-Tail Rock Swap.
Nearest Town for Supplies: 8 miles away in Buena Vista
Nearest Motel is in: 8 miles away in Buena Vista
Additional Comments: Garnets and Topaz are in very hard rhyolite; hard-rock labor necessary. Contin-Tail is also putting on a children's rock hunting area, a Friday night fluorescent rock presentation, and a Saturday night potluck dinner.
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Del Norte and La Garita, CO Trip
August 22-23
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: ThunderEggs, Jasper and Agate at Del Norte. Amethyst at La Garita.
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Rattlesnakes and sunburn.
Terrain: Dry hills, scrub and pinon pine trees.
Elevation: approximately 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: near the Del Norte digging area
Water: Not Available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Del Norte (8 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Del Norte (8 miles away)
Additional Comments: The group will dig at the Del Norte site on Saturday and, if the group would like to go to the La Garita site, the trip leader will lead the group there.
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Mt. Antero, CO Trip
September 5-7
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Aquamarine, Fluorite, Phenakite and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Dr. Andy Taylor
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Extremely high altitude; cold; windy; rain, snow, hail; lightning in afternoon; sunburn if sunny; rockslides (loose rocks).
Terrain: Steep, bare, rocky mountains; above the tree-line.
Elevation: 12,000 - 14,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD REQUIRED!!!
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels, garden scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: 0-2 miles from digging site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Buena Vista
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Buena Vista
Additional Comments: Afternoon storms are common. Elevation at camp is 12,000 ft. All collecting areas are above 12,500 ft. Extremely rough roads.
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