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2004 Field Trips
Index:
Where: (see club's May newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn (no shade).
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals should be kept cool and wet so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home.
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Additional Comments: Dirt roads may be slippery when wet; may have deep ruts and wash-outs. The Grand Junction Show is the same weekend.
BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's May newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: N/A
To Collect: Plant and Insect Fossils
Leader: Bill Hawes from the RAMS Club
Approximately: 1 hour from Grand Junction (5 hours from Denver)
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Snakes; scorpions; sunburn; elevation.
Terrain: Mountains with pine trees
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 8268 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Pick, rock hammer, thin (flat) chisels or putty knife, screwdriver and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Not available
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Loma (to the south) or Rangely (to the north)
Nearest Motel is in: Fruita (to the south)
Additional Comments: The Grand Junction Show is the same weekend. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz
Leader: Kevin and K.C. Larsen
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: none (optional Forest Service donation)
Health Hazards: Ticks and sunburn; afternoon lightning storms; rain
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, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: 0 to 3 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground, but bring your own just in case.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Sedalia
Nearest Motel is in: Sedalia (?) or Lake George (to the south)
Additional Comments: Dry camp. Last 11.5 miles on bladed dirt forest road (Rampart Range Rd). The road may be "washboardy", so take it easy. 0 to 3 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see Bob Loeffler's e-mail)
Time: 10am on Saturday
Land owner: N/A
To Collect: Barite, Fluorite and Creedite at Wagon Wheel Gap; Amethyst at La Garita; thundereggs at Del Norte
Leader: Eldon Hunewell (contact Bob Loeffler)
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver (when taking Highway 285 most of the way)
Fee or Donation: none (may be a small fee at Wagon Wheel Gap site)
Health Hazards: Sunburn; snakes; old mine dump conditions (e.g. boulders, old timbers, rusty metal, etc.)
Terrain: Mountainous at Wagon Wheel Gap and La Garita; scrub and hills at Del Norte
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: between 8000 and 9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (high-clearance may be needed at Del Norte location)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels, scratcher, prybar and something to hold your collected specimens. A 5-gallon bucket is good for the Del Norte location.
Camping: Various campgounds near South Fork.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: South Fork and/or Del Norte
Nearest Motel is in: South Fork and/or Del Norte
Additional Comments: The group will dig at the Wagon Wheel Gap fluorspar mine on Saturday (North Jeffco members only!), the La Garita site on Sunday, and Del Norte on Monday. A waiver must be signed by everyone at the fluorspar mine before entry. Other possible minerals at the fluorspar mine may include: Beidellite, Calcite, Covellite, Gearksutite, Gypsum, Halloysite, Hematite, Pyrite and Quartz. Digging at the La Garita site is very dirty due to the black manganese that the amethyst crystals are in. Wear old clothing that you don't mind throwing away later. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Amazonite (Smoky Quartz is also in the area)
Leader: Bill Beamer
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: none (optional Forest Service donation)
Health Hazards: Ticks and sunburn; afternoon lightning storms; rain
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, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: 0 to 3 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground, but bring your own just in case.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Sedalia
Nearest Motel is in: Sedalia (?) or Lake George (to the south)
Additional Comments: Dry camp. Last 11.5 miles on bladed dirt forest road (Rampart Range Rd). The road may be "washboardy", so take it easy. 0 to 3 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. Joint trip with the CMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the June newsletter)
Land owner: Public property
To Collect: Blue Forest Wood, Eden Valley Wood, Agate and Fossil Fish
Leader: Ted Gildea
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; sunburn; mosquitos and ticks; very windy.
Terrain: High desert
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~7200 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, long thin pole for probing in the ground, and collecting bags.
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. One motel in Farson; more in Rock Springs which is 35 miles to the south. Can be very windy! BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the June newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM (private mineral claim)
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite, Fluorite and Feldspar
Leader: Jeff Self and Donna Ware from the CMS club
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; insects.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any to the general area; 4WD to the camping/digging site
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Lake George, Florissant or Divide
Nearest Motel is in: Lake George
Additional Comments: We will be going to one of Jeff Self and Donna Ware's claims. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM (private mineral claim)
To Collect: Quartz, Pyrite, Barite, and ore minerals.
Leader: Bruce Geller from the CMS club
Approximately: 1 to 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; heat; insects; elevation; mine dump.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~9500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any to Montezuma; 4WD to the mine site.
Equipment Suggested: Rock pick, chisels and a collecting bag.
Camping: Not available near the mine site.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Montezuma or Dillon
Nearest Motel is in: Silverthorne/Dillon
Additional Comments: We have permission from at least one current mine owner to collect on their dump. No toilets. Joint trip with the CMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: unknown
To Collect: Peridot
Leader: Nick Mullen
Approximately: 2.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Insects; heat; sunburn.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: unknown
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, 1/8th inch mesh screen (optional), scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Not applicable
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Salida
Nearest Motel is in: Salida
Additional Comments: Bring insect repellent. Bring plenty of water. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the July or August newsletter)
Time: 8am
Land owner: National Forest
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Quartz, Fluorite, Topaz, Feldspar and Amazonite
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 1 hour from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Insects and sunburn
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, prybar, crack hammer, chisels, scratcher, screen and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Available near the digging site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Deckers and/or Pine
Nearest Motel is in: unknown (very close to Denver)
Additional Comments: Digging is not allowed in the nearby Wilderness Area which is to the west of where we will be. The leader will have a map to help show the Wilderness boundary. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: TBA
To Collect: Petrified Wood (palm, reed & cane), agate, turitella fossils
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Approximately: TBA
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: TBA
Terrain: TBA
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: TBA
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: TBA
Camping: TBA
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: TBA
Nearest Motel is in: TBA
Additional Comments: TBA BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Aquamarine, Fluorite, Phenakite and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 3 hours from Denver to the meeting place
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: 11,500 - 13,500 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 11,500 ft. All collecting areas are above 12,500 ft. Buena Vista is a couple hours away due to extremely rough dirt and rocky roads that can have potholes more than a foot deep. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the September newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Topaz and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Erik Anderson
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: $10.00 per night if camping (subject to change without notice)
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 CMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the September newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: Private mineral claim
To Collect: Amazonite, Smoky Quartz, Topaz
Leader: Jim Hooten (Littleton Club)
Approximately: 30 minutes from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; cold; insects.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~9,500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Not applicable
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Harris Park has limited supplies; Bailey has more.
Nearest Motel is in: Not applicable
Additional Comments: We will be digging with the Littleton club on their claim. Toilets not available. Bring insect repellent and plenty of water. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see club's October newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat or cold; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn (no shade).
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD vehicle recommended
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals should be kept cool and wet so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home.
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Additional Comments: Dirt roads may be slippery when wet; may have deep ruts and wash-outs. BACK TO TOP
| May 8-9 | Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) | |
| May 9 | Douglas Pass (Rifle, CO) | |
| May 15 | Devil's Head (Sedalia, CO) #1 | |
| May 29 - 31 | Wagon Wheel Gap/La Garita/Del Norte | |
| June 19 | Devil's Head (Sedalia, CO) #2 | |
| July 3 - 5 | Big Sandy Reservoir (Farson, Wyoming) | |
| July 11 | Western Eagle #2 Claim (Lake George, CO) | |
| July 17 | Montezuma, CO | |
| July 25 | Turret area (Salida, CO) | |
| August 7 - 8 | Wigwam Creek (Deckers, CO) | |
| August 28 - 29 | Wamsutter/Saratoga, Wyoming | |
| September 4 - 6 | Mt. Antero (Nathrop, CO) | |
| September 25 - 26 | Spruce Grove/Tarryall Mtns. (Tarryall, CO) | |
| October 2 | Harris Park, CO | |
| October 16 - 18 | Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) #2 |
Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) Trip
May 8 - 9
Trip Report
Where: (see club's May newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn (no shade).
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals should be kept cool and wet so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home.
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Additional Comments: Dirt roads may be slippery when wet; may have deep ruts and wash-outs. The Grand Junction Show is the same weekend.
BACK TO TOP
Douglas Pass, CO Trip
May 9
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see club's May newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: N/A
To Collect: Plant and Insect Fossils
Leader: Bill Hawes from the RAMS Club
Approximately: 1 hour from Grand Junction (5 hours from Denver)
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Snakes; scorpions; sunburn; elevation.
Terrain: Mountains with pine trees
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 8268 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Pick, rock hammer, thin (flat) chisels or putty knife, screwdriver and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Not available
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Loma (to the south) or Rangely (to the north)
Nearest Motel is in: Fruita (to the south)
Additional Comments: The Grand Junction Show is the same weekend.
BACK TO TOP
Devil's Head, CO Trip #1
May 15
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz
Leader: Kevin and K.C. Larsen
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: none (optional Forest Service donation)
Health Hazards: Ticks and sunburn; afternoon lightning storms; rain
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, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: 0 to 3 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground, but bring your own just in case.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Sedalia
Nearest Motel is in: Sedalia (?) or Lake George (to the south)
Additional Comments: Dry camp. Last 11.5 miles on bladed dirt forest road (Rampart Range Rd). The road may be "washboardy", so take it easy. 0 to 3 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms.
BACK TO TOP
Wagon Wheel Gap/La Garita/Del Norte, CO Trip
May 29 - 31 (Memorial Day weekend)
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see Bob Loeffler's e-mail)
Time: 10am on Saturday
Land owner: N/A
To Collect: Barite, Fluorite and Creedite at Wagon Wheel Gap; Amethyst at La Garita; thundereggs at Del Norte
Leader: Eldon Hunewell (contact Bob Loeffler)
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver (when taking Highway 285 most of the way)
Fee or Donation: none (may be a small fee at Wagon Wheel Gap site)
Health Hazards: Sunburn; snakes; old mine dump conditions (e.g. boulders, old timbers, rusty metal, etc.)
Terrain: Mountainous at Wagon Wheel Gap and La Garita; scrub and hills at Del Norte
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: between 8000 and 9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any (high-clearance may be needed at Del Norte location)
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels, scratcher, prybar and something to hold your collected specimens. A 5-gallon bucket is good for the Del Norte location.
Camping: Various campgounds near South Fork.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: South Fork and/or Del Norte
Nearest Motel is in: South Fork and/or Del Norte
Additional Comments: The group will dig at the Wagon Wheel Gap fluorspar mine on Saturday (North Jeffco members only!), the La Garita site on Sunday, and Del Norte on Monday. A waiver must be signed by everyone at the fluorspar mine before entry. Other possible minerals at the fluorspar mine may include: Beidellite, Calcite, Covellite, Gearksutite, Gypsum, Halloysite, Hematite, Pyrite and Quartz. Digging at the La Garita site is very dirty due to the black manganese that the amethyst crystals are in. Wear old clothing that you don't mind throwing away later.
BACK TO TOP
Devil's Head, CO Trip #2
June 19
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Amazonite (Smoky Quartz is also in the area)
Leader: Bill Beamer
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: none (optional Forest Service donation)
Health Hazards: Ticks and sunburn; afternoon lightning storms; rain
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, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: 0 to 3 miles from collecting site
Water: Available at Devil's Head Campground, but bring your own just in case.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Sedalia
Nearest Motel is in: Sedalia (?) or Lake George (to the south)
Additional Comments: Dry camp. Last 11.5 miles on bladed dirt forest road (Rampart Range Rd). The road may be "washboardy", so take it easy. 0 to 3 mile hike on moderate to steep terrain. Mid-afternoon storms. Joint trip with the CMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Big Sandy Reservoir in Farson, WY
July 3 - 5 (July 4th weekend)
Pictures
Where: (see the June newsletter)
Land owner: Public property
To Collect: Blue Forest Wood, Eden Valley Wood, Agate and Fossil Fish
Leader: Ted Gildea
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; sunburn; mosquitos and ticks; very windy.
Terrain: High desert
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~7200 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, long thin pole for probing in the ground, and collecting bags.
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. One motel in Farson; more in Rock Springs which is 35 miles to the south. Can be very windy!
BACK TO TOP
Western Eagle #2 Claim (Crystal Peak, CO) Trip
July 11
Where: (see the June newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM (private mineral claim)
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Amazonite, Fluorite and Feldspar
Leader: Jeff Self and Donna Ware from the CMS club
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; insects.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any to the general area; 4WD to the camping/digging site
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Lake George, Florissant or Divide
Nearest Motel is in: Lake George
Additional Comments: We will be going to one of Jeff Self and Donna Ware's claims.
BACK TO TOP
Montezuma, CO Trip
July 17
Cancelled!
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM (private mineral claim)
To Collect: Quartz, Pyrite, Barite, and ore minerals.
Leader: Bruce Geller from the CMS club
Approximately: 1 to 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; heat; insects; elevation; mine dump.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~9500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any to Montezuma; 4WD to the mine site.
Equipment Suggested: Rock pick, chisels and a collecting bag.
Camping: Not available near the mine site.
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Montezuma or Dillon
Nearest Motel is in: Silverthorne/Dillon
Additional Comments: We have permission from at least one current mine owner to collect on their dump. No toilets. Joint trip with the CMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Turret area, CO Trip
July 25
Pictures
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: unknown
To Collect: Peridot
Leader: Nick Mullen
Approximately: 2.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Insects; heat; sunburn.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: unknown
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, 1/8th inch mesh screen (optional), scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Not applicable
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Salida
Nearest Motel is in: Salida
Additional Comments: Bring insect repellent. Bring plenty of water.
BACK TO TOP
Wigwam Creek (Deckers, CO) Trip
August 7 - 8
Pictures
Where: (see the July or August newsletter)
Time: 8am
Land owner: National Forest
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Quartz, Fluorite, Topaz, Feldspar and Amazonite
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 1 hour from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Insects and sunburn
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~9000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, prybar, crack hammer, chisels, scratcher, screen and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Available near the digging site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Deckers and/or Pine
Nearest Motel is in: unknown (very close to Denver)
Additional Comments: Digging is not allowed in the nearby Wilderness Area which is to the west of where we will be. The leader will have a map to help show the Wilderness boundary.
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Wamsutter/Saratoga, Wyoming Trip
August 28 - 29
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: TBA
To Collect: Petrified Wood (palm, reed & cane), agate, turitella fossils
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Approximately: TBA
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: TBA
Terrain: TBA
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: TBA
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: TBA
Camping: TBA
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: TBA
Nearest Motel is in: TBA
Additional Comments: TBA
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Mt. Antero, CO Trip
September 4 - 6 (Labor Day weekend)
Pictures
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am on Saturday
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Aquamarine, Fluorite, Phenakite and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Bob Loeffler
Approximately: 3 hours from Denver to the meeting place
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: 11,500 - 13,500 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 11,500 ft. All collecting areas are above 12,500 ft. Buena Vista is a couple hours away due to extremely rough dirt and rocky roads that can have potholes more than a foot deep.
BACK TO TOP
Spruce Grove/Tarryall Mtns., CO Trip
September 25 - 26
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the September newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Topaz and Smoky Quartz
Leader: Erik Anderson
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: $10.00 per night if camping (subject to change without notice)
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 CMS club.
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Harris Park, CO Trip
October 2
Where: (see the September newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: Private mineral claim
To Collect: Amazonite, Smoky Quartz, Topaz
Leader: Jim Hooten (Littleton Club)
Approximately: 30 minutes from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; cold; insects.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~9,500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Not applicable
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Harris Park has limited supplies; Bailey has more.
Nearest Motel is in: Not applicable
Additional Comments: We will be digging with the Littleton club on their claim. Toilets not available. Bring insect repellent and plenty of water.
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Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) Trip #2
October 16 - 18
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see club's October newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat or cold; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn (no shade).
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD vehicle recommended
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals should be kept cool and wet so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home.
Camping: Near the site
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Grand Junction (20 miles away)
Additional Comments: Dirt roads may be slippery when wet; may have deep ruts and wash-outs.
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