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2001 Field Trips
Index:
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron & Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 3.5 to 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; wind; snakes; sunburn.
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Additional Comments: The Grand Junction Show is the same weekend.
BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Fairburn Agate and Pet. Wood
Leader: Kevin Boulter from the Ft. Collins club (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: To be announced
Health Hazards: To be announced
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: To be announced
Vehicle Suggested: To be announced
Equipment Suggested: To be announced
Camping: To be announced
Water: To be announced
Nearest Town for Supplies: To be announced
Nearest Motel is in: To be announced
Additional Comments: Fairburn is approximately 30 miles south of Rapid City. More info will be announced soon. BACK TO TOP
Where: Near Rawlins, WY (see road log in club's field trip booklet)
Time: 1:00 pm on Thursday
Land owner:
To Collect: Tourmaline, Spodumene and others
Leader: Bill Chirnside (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: To be announced
Health Hazards: To be announced
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: To be announced
Vehicle Suggested: Hi-Clearance required; 4WD recommended
Equipment Suggested: Hard rock mining equipment and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: To be announced
Water: To be announced
Nearest Town for Supplies: 1 hour away in Shoshoni, WY
Nearest Motel is in: 1 hour away in Shoshoni, WY
Additional Comments: There are two collecting areas on this trip, Black Mtn (May 17th) and Copper Mtn (May 18th). The first site is north of Rawlins. The second site is near Shoshoni. More info will be announced soon. BACK TO TOP
Where: in The Cove (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: To be announced
Land owner: BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
To Collect: Topaz, Bixbyite, Pseudobrookite, Garnets, Red Beryl and Geodes
Leader: Eldon Hunewell (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: 550 miles from Denver
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; rocky
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~5300 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (some rough roads)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, chisels, crack hammer, 1/8" steel rod (curled), screen, screwdriver and something to hold your collected specimens in (eg. egg cartons or flats)
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. Bring plenty of water. The Dugway Geode Beds location is just north of Topaz Mt. This is a joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite, Fluorite and Topaz
Leader: Jim & Rose Reynolds from the RAMS Club (or Ron & Judy Knoshaug)
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: Optional Forest Service donation
Health Hazards: Ticks and sunburn
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; pine and aspen trees
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, screen, small prybar and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: 0 to 3 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. 0-3 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Smoky Quartz and Amazonite
Leader: Jim Hooten from the Littleton club (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Rain and lightning
Terrain: Wooded hillside
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 8000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels, prybar, garden scratcher, knee pads and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: On-site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 3 miles away at the Harris Park general store
Nearest Motel is in: Conifer (?)
Additional Comments: This is the Littleton club's claim; we will be their guests. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 10am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Fossils and Pseudomorphs of Goethite after Pyrite
Leader: Ray Horton
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: High elevation; heat, cold, wind; ticks, mosquitoes, possibly snakes; sunburn.
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: To be announced
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, light chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: Coffee Pot Springs campground which has 9 units and some toilets. There is no fee at this campground and no potable water. Campground is at 9000 ft and has some shade trees.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 30 miles away in Dotsero (?)
Nearest Motel is in: Dotsero (?)
Additional Comments: We will drive to the collecting area from the campground because it is too far to walk. A liability release form must be signed by all attendees. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: To be announced
Land owner: BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
To Collect: Tourmaline
Leader: To be announced
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: To be announced
Terrain: Wooded hills
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 8000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: To be announced
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, pry bar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: On-site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Cripple Creek (0.5 hour away)
Nearest Motel is in: Cripple Creek (0.5 hour away)
Additional Comments: The digging site is in a large open meadow. Close all gates behind you. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9:00am
Land owner:
To Collect: Sulfide minerals and Rhodonite
Leader: Pat Haynes from the Ute Mtn. Club (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Rain, lightning, high altitude.
Terrain: Wooded hills
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Hi-Clearance, 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, pry bar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: Near the digging site on National Forest land
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Silverton (10 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Silverton (10 miles away)
Additional Comments: This is a Ute Mountain Club trip; we will be their guests. BACK TO TOP
Where: (This trip is for NJG&M club members only! See trip booklet.)
Time: 8am for breakfast; 9am if not eating breakfast with the group
Land owner:
To Collect: Diamonds, Garnet and Diopside in Kimberlite
Leader: Ray Horton
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: Half of all diamonds found must be paid to the diamond company
Health Hazards: High elevation; sunburn; heat, cold, wind, rain and/or snow; ticks, mosquitoes and moose (they seem docile but can be very dangerous); possibly snakes, bears, and mountain lions
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, light to medium weight chisels, 3 to 5 lb crack hammer, screens (fine, small and/or medium mesh), a compass and/or GPS unit, and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: None (this is a day trip ONLY)
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: To be announced
Nearest Motel is in: probably Ft. Collins
Additional Comments: There are trip restrictions. There is a limited number of vehicles that can go, so make sure you sign up early. (NJG&M Club members only!) We will leave the meeting place no later than 9:15am! The diopside is emerald-green chrome diopside. The garnet is red-purple pyrope garnet. The diamonds may be clear, yellow, coffee-colored or blue. The diamond company requests that we log (in a journal) all diamonds found because they get 50% of what is found. No tents or campers since this is a day trip only. Bring a sack lunch and snacks. BACK TO TOP
Where: Spruce Grove Campground (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Topaz and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: $7.00 per night if camping
Health Hazards: Mosquitos!
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; pine and aspen trees
Difficulty: Moderate to Extreme
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 to difficult terrain to collecting site; one or two steep hills. Toilets available. Bring lots of mosquito repellant! Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 8am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Aquamarine, Fluorite, Phenakite and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Dr. Andy Taylor
Approximately: 3.5 to 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Extremely high altitude; cold; very windy; rain, snow, hail; lightning in afternoon; sunburn; rockslides (loose rocks).
Terrain: Steep, bare, rocky mountains; above the tree-line.
Difficulty: Extreme
Elevation: 12,000 - 14,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Hi-Clearance, 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels, garden scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: 2 miles from digging site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Buena Vista (takes a couple hours due to bad road)
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Buena Vista (takes a couple hours due to bad road)
Additional Comments: Afternoon storms are common. Elevation at camp is almost 12,000 ft. All collecting areas are above 12,500 ft. Buena Vista is a couple hours away due to extremely rough dirt and rock roads that can have potholes more than a foot deep. Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's September newsletter)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron & Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 3.5 to 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat or cold; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn.
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens. If barite crystals are found, keep them wet and cool (eg. wrapped in a soaked paper towel).
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Additional Comments: Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's October newsletter for details)
Time: (see club's October newsletter for details)
Land owner: BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
To Collect: Topaz, Bixbyite, Pseudobrookite, Garnets, Red Beryl and Geodes
Leader: Eldon Hunewell, Don Heiden and Mary Ellen Kennedy
Approximately: 550 miles from Denver
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; rocky
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~5300 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (some rough roads)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, chisels, crack hammer, 1/8" steel rod (curled), screen, screwdriver and something to hold your collected specimens in (eg. egg cartons or flats)
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. Bring plenty of water. The Dugway Geode Beds location is just north of Topaz Mt. BACK TO TOP
| May 12 - 13 | Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) | |
| May 12 - 20 | Fairburn, South Dakota | |
| May 17 - 20 | Central Wyoming Pegmatites Trip | |
| May 26 - 28 | Topaz Mtn., Thomas Range, Utah Trip #1 | |
| June 9 - 10 | Devil's Head (Sedalia, CO) | |
| June 23 - 24 | Harris Park, CO | |
| June 30 - July 1 | Dotsero, CO | |
| July 7-8 | Four Mile Creek, CO | |
| July 28 - 29 | Silverton, CO | |
| August 4 | Eagle Hawk Claim, CO | |
| August 25 - 26 | Spruce Grove/Tarryall Mtns. (Tarryall, CO) | |
| September 1 - 3 | Mt. Antero (Nathrop, CO) | |
| October 6 - 7 | Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) #2 | |
| October 7 - 8 | Topaz Mtn., Thomas Range, Utah Trip #2 |
Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) Trip
May 12-13
Trip Report! and Pictures!
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron & Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 3.5 to 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; wind; snakes; sunburn.
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Additional Comments: The Grand Junction Show is the same weekend.
BACK TO TOP
Fairburn, South Dakota Trip
May 12-20
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Fairburn Agate and Pet. Wood
Leader: Kevin Boulter from the Ft. Collins club (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: To be announced
Health Hazards: To be announced
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: To be announced
Vehicle Suggested: To be announced
Equipment Suggested: To be announced
Camping: To be announced
Water: To be announced
Nearest Town for Supplies: To be announced
Nearest Motel is in: To be announced
Additional Comments: Fairburn is approximately 30 miles south of Rapid City. More info will be announced soon.
BACK TO TOP
Central Wyoming Pegmatites Trip
May 17-20
Pictures! and Trip Report!
Where: Near Rawlins, WY (see road log in club's field trip booklet)
Time: 1:00 pm on Thursday
Land owner:
To Collect: Tourmaline, Spodumene and others
Leader: Bill Chirnside (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: To be announced
Health Hazards: To be announced
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: To be announced
Vehicle Suggested: Hi-Clearance required; 4WD recommended
Equipment Suggested: Hard rock mining equipment and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: To be announced
Water: To be announced
Nearest Town for Supplies: 1 hour away in Shoshoni, WY
Nearest Motel is in: 1 hour away in Shoshoni, WY
Additional Comments: There are two collecting areas on this trip, Black Mtn (May 17th) and Copper Mtn (May 18th). The first site is north of Rawlins. The second site is near Shoshoni. More info will be announced soon.
BACK TO TOP
Topaz Mtn., Thomas Range, Utah Trip
May 26-28 (Memorial Day weekend)
Pictures!
Where: in The Cove (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: To be announced
Land owner: BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
To Collect: Topaz, Bixbyite, Pseudobrookite, Garnets, Red Beryl and Geodes
Leader: Eldon Hunewell (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: 550 miles from Denver
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; rocky
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~5300 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (some rough roads)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, chisels, crack hammer, 1/8" steel rod (curled), screen, screwdriver and something to hold your collected specimens in (eg. egg cartons or flats)
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. Bring plenty of water. The Dugway Geode Beds location is just north of Topaz Mt. This is a joint trip with the RAMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Devil's Head, CO Trip
June 9-10
Pictures!
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite, Fluorite and Topaz
Leader: Jim & Rose Reynolds from the RAMS Club (or Ron & Judy Knoshaug)
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: Optional Forest Service donation
Health Hazards: Ticks and sunburn
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; pine and aspen trees
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: 8500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, screen, small prybar and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: 0 to 3 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. 0-3 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Harris Park, CO Trip
June 23-24
Pictures! and Trip Report!
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Smoky Quartz and Amazonite
Leader: Jim Hooten from the Littleton club (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Rain and lightning
Terrain: Wooded hillside
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 8000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels, prybar, garden scratcher, knee pads and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: On-site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 3 miles away at the Harris Park general store
Nearest Motel is in: Conifer (?)
Additional Comments: This is the Littleton club's claim; we will be their guests.
BACK TO TOP
Dotsero, CO Trip
June 30 - July 1
Pictures!
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 10am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Fossils and Pseudomorphs of Goethite after Pyrite
Leader: Ray Horton
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: High elevation; heat, cold, wind; ticks, mosquitoes, possibly snakes; sunburn.
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: To be announced
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, light chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: Coffee Pot Springs campground which has 9 units and some toilets. There is no fee at this campground and no potable water. Campground is at 9000 ft and has some shade trees.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 30 miles away in Dotsero (?)
Nearest Motel is in: Dotsero (?)
Additional Comments: We will drive to the collecting area from the campground because it is too far to walk. A liability release form must be signed by all attendees.
BACK TO TOP
Four Mile Creek, CO Trip
July 7-8
Pictures!
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: To be announced
Land owner: BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
To Collect: Tourmaline
Leader: To be announced
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: To be announced
Terrain: Wooded hills
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 8000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: To be announced
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, pry bar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: On-site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Cripple Creek (0.5 hour away)
Nearest Motel is in: Cripple Creek (0.5 hour away)
Additional Comments: The digging site is in a large open meadow. Close all gates behind you.
BACK TO TOP
Silverton, CO Trip
July 28-29
Pictures!
Where: (see the club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9:00am
Land owner:
To Collect: Sulfide minerals and Rhodonite
Leader: Pat Haynes from the Ute Mtn. Club (contact Terry LeBlanc)
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Rain, lightning, high altitude.
Terrain: Wooded hills
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Hi-Clearance, 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, pry bar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: Near the digging site on National Forest land
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Silverton (10 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Silverton (10 miles away)
Additional Comments: This is a Ute Mountain Club trip; we will be their guests.
BACK TO TOP
Eagle Hawk Claim, CO Trip
August 4
Pictures! and Trip Report!
Where: (This trip is for NJG&M club members only! See trip booklet.)
Time: 8am for breakfast; 9am if not eating breakfast with the group
Land owner:
To Collect: Diamonds, Garnet and Diopside in Kimberlite
Leader: Ray Horton
Approximately: To be announced
Fee or Donation: Half of all diamonds found must be paid to the diamond company
Health Hazards: High elevation; sunburn; heat, cold, wind, rain and/or snow; ticks, mosquitoes and moose (they seem docile but can be very dangerous); possibly snakes, bears, and mountain lions
Terrain: To be announced
Difficulty: To be announced
Elevation: 9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, light to medium weight chisels, 3 to 5 lb crack hammer, screens (fine, small and/or medium mesh), a compass and/or GPS unit, and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: None (this is a day trip ONLY)
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: To be announced
Nearest Motel is in: probably Ft. Collins
Additional Comments: There are trip restrictions. There is a limited number of vehicles that can go, so make sure you sign up early. (NJG&M Club members only!) We will leave the meeting place no later than 9:15am! The diopside is emerald-green chrome diopside. The garnet is red-purple pyrope garnet. The diamonds may be clear, yellow, coffee-colored or blue. The diamond company requests that we log (in a journal) all diamonds found because they get 50% of what is found. No tents or campers since this is a day trip only. Bring a sack lunch and snacks.
BACK TO TOP
Spruce Grove/Taryall Mtns., CO Trip
August 25-26
Pictures!
Where: Spruce Grove Campground (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Topaz and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: $7.00 per night if camping
Health Hazards: Mosquitos!
Terrain: Rocky mountains and hills; pine and aspen trees
Difficulty: Moderate to Extreme
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 to difficult terrain to collecting site; one or two steep hills. Toilets available. Bring lots of mosquito repellant! Joint trip with the RAMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Mt. Antero, CO Trip
September 1-3 (Labor Day weekend)
Where: (see club's field trip booklet)
Time: 8am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Aquamarine, Fluorite, Phenakite and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Dr. Andy Taylor
Approximately: 3.5 to 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Extremely high altitude; cold; very windy; rain, snow, hail; lightning in afternoon; sunburn; rockslides (loose rocks).
Terrain: Steep, bare, rocky mountains; above the tree-line.
Difficulty: Extreme
Elevation: 12,000 - 14,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Hi-Clearance, 4WD REQUIRED
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, crack hammer, chisels, garden scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens
Camping: 2 miles from digging site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Buena Vista (takes a couple hours due to bad road)
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Buena Vista (takes a couple hours due to bad road)
Additional Comments: Afternoon storms are common. Elevation at camp is almost 12,000 ft. All collecting areas are above 12,500 ft. Buena Vista is a couple hours away due to extremely rough dirt and rock roads that can have potholes more than a foot deep. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) Trip #2
October 6-7 (Columbus Day weekend)
Pictures!
Where: (see club's September newsletter)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner:
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron & Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 3.5 to 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat or cold; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn.
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels and something to hold your collected specimens. If barite crystals are found, keep them wet and cool (eg. wrapped in a soaked paper towel).
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Nearest Motel is in: 20 miles away in Grand Junction
Additional Comments: Joint trip with the RAMS club.
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Topaz Mtn., Thomas Range, Utah Trip #2
October 7-8 (Columbus Day weekend)
Where: (see club's October newsletter for details)
Time: (see club's October newsletter for details)
Land owner: BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
To Collect: Topaz, Bixbyite, Pseudobrookite, Garnets, Red Beryl and Geodes
Leader: Eldon Hunewell, Don Heiden and Mary Ellen Kennedy
Approximately: 550 miles from Denver
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; rocky
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~5300 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (some rough roads)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock hammer, chisels, crack hammer, 1/8" steel rod (curled), screen, screwdriver and something to hold your collected specimens in (eg. egg cartons or flats)
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. Bring plenty of water. The Dugway Geode Beds location is just north of Topaz Mt.
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