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2007 Field Trips
This is the list of field trips for 2007. Times/dates/info are subject to change.
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn (no shade).
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals are very heat-sensitive, so they should be kept cool and moist so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home. You might want to bring a small cooler to put the barite crystals in to keep them from rapid temperature changes.
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: A 2-wheel drive vehicle is sufficient for the road to the digging area as long as the road is dry. If the roads become wet, the clay roads will become EXTREMELY slippery and impassable even for a 4-wheel drive vehicle; may have deep ruts and wash-outs after rain storms. Due to all the oil and gas exploration activity, the motels have been full recently. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
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Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 3:00pm on Saturday
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Agates, petrified wood and barite pseudomorphs
Leader: Dale Gann
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Desert conditions (can be hot, cold and/or windy); scorpions and bugs; possible rattlesnakes; sunburn.
Terrain: Barren, rocky desert mountains. Remote and arid.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~4000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any vehicle can get to the camp site. A high-clearance vehicle is needed to get to some of the more remote sites.
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Dry camp near collecting areas
Water: Bring all you will need! The closest water is 50+ miles away.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Moab, UT and Green River, UT which are both about 50 miles away. There is a gas station about 20 miles away.
Nearest Motel is in: Moab, UT
Additional Comments: We are going to dry camp at the site shown on the map, but no facilities. We will have a "Porto-Dale" for everyone to use. Bring plenty of water, ice and fuel because it's a long drive to the store. The Yellow Cat-Cisco area has many collecting possibilities. Each mesa has a different color agate. Some hiking is necessary to reach the best spots, but specimens can be found close to roads. We will meet at the camp site and head out from there after lunch. Joint trip with 3 other clubs. BACK TO TOP
Where: at the Topaz Mtn sign just south of Topaz Mtn/Thomas Range
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Topaz, Red Beryl, Garnet, Pseudobrookite and Geodes
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Approximately: 550 miles (10 hours) from Denver
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Desert conditions (can be hot, cold and/or windy); may snow; scorpions and bugs; possible rattlesnakes; sunburn.
Terrain: Barren, rocky desert mountains. Remote and arid. Scrub-covered rhyolite mountains surrounded by salt flats.
Difficulty: Easy to Extreme
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: none 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: Plenty of rugged campsites, but no facilities. Bring plenty of water. The Dugway Geode Beds location is north of Topaz Mtn. Some hiking is necessary to reach the best spots, but specimens can be found close to roads. Which collecting locality we visit first depends on the weather. Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: TBA
Time: TBA
Land owner: n/a
To Collect: Nothing; Tour only
Leader: April Pullen
Approximately: in Denver
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: none
Terrain: Museum-like conditions exist; beware
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~5280 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: none
Camping: none
Water: Available at the snack bar and restaurant!
Nearest Town for Supplies: Denver
Nearest Motel is in: Denver
Additional Comments: Some walking is necessary to reach the best spots. No digging or collection is allowed! :-) BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the June newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Various fossils including leaves and shells
Leader: Tim Arnett
Approximately: 3 hours to the meeting location from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; loose rocks.
Terrain: Some flat areas; some cliffs.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~6000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: High-clearance, 4WD suggested!
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, prybar, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your specimens.
Camping: NONE
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Rifle
Nearest Motel is in: Rifle
Additional Comments: Toilets not available. Bring plenty of water. Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (contact the trip leader)
Time: (contact the trip leader)
Land owner: Public property
To Collect: Blue Forest Wood, Eden Valley Wood (?), Agate and maybe Fossil Fish
Leader: Ted Gildea
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; sunburn; mosquitos and ticks; can be extremely windy. Wyoming weather can be extreme in any direction – hot, cold, windy. Please prepare for almost anything. We have experienced sleet on July 4th. Another time someone’s tent nearly became a balloon.
Terrain: High desert
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~7200 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any; 4WD vehicle not required.
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, long thin pole for probing in the ground, and collecting bags.
Camping: Near collecting sites
Water: Not available; bring PLENTY of water.
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 extremely windy! Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: The mine is private property; we will have permission to dig in the dumps/tailings only.
To Collect: Metal ore minerals (silver, acanthite, galena, pyrite, sphalerite) and gangue minerals (barite, siderite, quartz, calcite) from the dump
Leader: Todd Shannon
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Old mine dump conditions (e.g. boulders, old timbers, rusty metal, etc.)
Terrain: Mountains; barren mine area
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: 8694
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels, scratcher, prybar and something to hold your specimens; sturdy shoes/boots; eye protection.
Camping: none
Water: none
Nearest Town for Supplies: Ward, CO
Nearest Motel is in: n/a
Additional Comments: There will be a maximum of 15 or 20 club members allowed on this trip. ABSOLUTELY NO ENTERING THE MINE SHAFTS, ADITS OR BUILDINGS! USE CAUTION! Somewhat high altitude, so be ready for hot or cold weather. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Geodes
Leader: Dale Gann
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: (to be announced)
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: ~8,000 - 9,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, and a bucket to hold your specimens.
Camping: There are 2 forest service campgrounds near the site.
Water: Bring your own. Campgrounds may or may not have water.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Pagosa Springs, CO
Nearest Motel is in: Pagosa Springs, CO
Additional Comments: Collecting is on an old logging road that is closed to vehicles. The geodes are weathering out of basalt. Some can be found on the ground and others have to be broken out of the basalt. This is the same rock formation that people have collected from along the highway for many years, but it is a lot safer and has not been over-collected. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz
Leader: Ted Gildea
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 RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: private claims on National Forest Service land
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 talus rocks).
Terrain: Steep, barren, 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 (lightning, rain, snow and hail) 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: (contact the leader)
Time: (contact the leader)
Land owner: National Forest
To Collect: Various fossils including horn coral, pipe organ coral, gastropods and aragonite crystals
Leaders: Junior Hicks and Tim Arnett
Approximately: 7 hours to the meeting location from Denver
Fee or Donation: None (although a little gas money for Junior would be nice)
Health Hazards: Sunburn; loose rocks.
Terrain: Some flat areas; some cliffs.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: ~10,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: High-clearance, 4WD suggested
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, prybar, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your specimens.
Camping: Self-contained trailers in Tim's yard or nearby
Water: Available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Roosevelt, UT
Nearest Motel is in: Roosevelt, UT (book your rooms early!)
Additional Comments: We have the privilege to have Junior Hicks (a native of the area) lead this trip. He has lead trips for many years to the area we are going for over 35 years. We will be digging in an area between Roosevelt and Duchesne. I (Tim) will also be taking people leaf hunting either Friday or Sunday. Saturday the 29th, Junior will lead the trip up to Stillwater Lake area, he has taught geology for years in the area. BACK TO TOP
Where: (contact the trip leader)
Time: 9:30am
Land owner: Claim on private property, permission REQUIRED (club members have permission)
To Collect: Blue Barite and Calcite
Leader: April Pullen
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Can be hot, cold and/or windy; Sunburn (no shade); possible rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Grassy plains and barren cliffs..
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any.
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, crack hammer, chisels, prybar, pick, wedges and something to hold your delicate specimens (such as egg cartons and tissues).
Camping: No camping available
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south) or Sterling, CO (to the east).
Nearest Motel is in: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south) or Sterling, CO (to the east).
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. The claim owner says the gate might not be open, but we will figure a work around, if that is the case, and possibly have to go around. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the September newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat and sunburn (there is no shade). Bring adequate protection from the sun such as sunscreen. Some people bring a tarp to shade themselves; wind; snakes; scorpions (every trip Ron sees several); no water (bring plenty of water). Always a possibility of heavy rain.
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals are very heat-sensitive, so they should be kept cool and moist so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home. You might want to bring a small cooler to put the barite crystals in to keep them from rapid temperature changes.
Camping: Dry camping near the site; no shade
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Grand Junction (15 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Grand Junction (15 miles away)
Additional Comments: A 2-wheel drive vehicle is sufficient for the road to the digging area as long as the road is dry. If the roads become wet, the clay roads will become EXTREMELY slippery and impassable even for a 4-wheel drive vehicle; may have deep ruts and wash-outs after rain storms. Due to all the oil and gas exploration activity, the motels have been full recently. Joint trip with the RAMS club. Leaders Ron and Judy Knoshaug will be moving over to the Yellow Cat area on Sunday evening, October 7 to collect agates, petrified wood, and barite pseudomorphs on Monday. Anyone wishing to go along from the Book Cliffs area is welcome. If you wish to go to Yellow Cat, let us know and we will give you a map. The area is much the same as the Book Cliffs area in that there is no water so you need lots and the roads will become impassable if it rains much. BACK TO TOP
Where: (see the October newsletter)
Time: 9:30am
Land owner: Private mineral claim
To Collect: Amazonite, Smoky Quartz, Fluorite, Albite, etc
Leader: Jim Hooten (Littleton Club)
Approximately: 45 minutes to 1 hour from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; cold; insects.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~9,500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD required
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 newer "Honey Bee/Queen Bee" claim. Toilets not available. Bring insect repellent and plenty of water. BACK TO TOP
Where: (contact the trip leader)
Time: (contact the trip leader)
Land owner: (contact the trip leader)
To Collect: Fluorite and ???
Leader: Ted Gildea
Fee or Donation: none for the field trip
Health Hazards: Sunburn; heat; scorpions; rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Steep, rocky mountains; desert.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: low desert (~3000 ft)
Vehicle Suggested: Any; High Clearance suggested.
Equipment Suggested: Pick, rock hammer, chisels, prybar and collecting bags.
Camping: (contact the trip leader)
Water: Not Available. Bring plenty of water.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Socorro, NM
Nearest Motel is in: Socorro, NM
Additional Comments: Symposium is on Saturday and Sunday. Contact the trip leader for additional details. Joint trip with the RAMS club. BACK TO TOP
Where: Lobby of the Geology Museum, Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO)
Time: 2pm
Land owner: n/a
To Collect: Nothing; Tour only
Leader: Bruce Geller, Curator
Approximately: n/a
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: none
Terrain: Museum-like conditions exist; beware
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~5674 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: none
Camping: none
Water: Drinking fountains available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Golden
Nearest Motel is in: Golden
Additional Comments: Some walking is necessary to reach the best spots. No digging or collecting is allowed! :-) The museum is open to the public as well, so you may come early if you wish. The museum is located at 1310 Maple Street (corner of 13th and Maple), Golden. Since it is a Saturday, there should be plenty of parking on the street. The museum is only a few years old and hosts a spectacular display of minerals from Colorado as well as all over the world. BACK TO TOP
For old trips (1997 - 2006), please see our Field Trip Archives page.
Index:
| May 19 - 20 | Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) #1 | |
| May 19 - 21 | Yellow Cat and Cisco, Utah Trip | |
| May 26 - 28 | Topaz Mtn. and Dugway (Delta, Utah) | |
| June 13 | Denver Museum of Nature & Science (Denver, CO) | |
| June 16 | Rifle, CO | |
| June 28 - July 1 | Blue Forest (Farson, Wyoming) | |
| July 14 | White Raven Mine (Ward, CO) | |
| August 4 - 5 | Wolf Creek Pass, CO | |
| August 25 - 26 | Devil's Head, CO | |
| September 1 - 3 | Mt. Antero (Nathrop, CO) | |
| September 28 - 30 | Roosevelt Lake, Utah | |
| September 29 | Stoneham, CO | |
| October 6 - 8 | Book Cliffs and Yellow Cat (Grand Junction, CO) #2 | |
| October 13 | Harris Park, CO | |
| November 8 - 11 | New Mexico Mineral Symposium (Socorro, New Mexico) Trips | |
| November 17 | Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, Golden, CO |
Book Cliffs (Grand Junction, CO) Trip #1
May 19 - 20
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; wind; snakes; scorpions; sunburn (no shade).
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals are very heat-sensitive, so they should be kept cool and moist so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home. You might want to bring a small cooler to put the barite crystals in to keep them from rapid temperature changes.
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: A 2-wheel drive vehicle is sufficient for the road to the digging area as long as the road is dry. If the roads become wet, the clay roads will become EXTREMELY slippery and impassable even for a 4-wheel drive vehicle; may have deep ruts and wash-outs after rain storms. Due to all the oil and gas exploration activity, the motels have been full recently. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
BACK TO TOP
Yellow Cat and Cisco, Utah Trip
May 19 - 21
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the May newsletter)
Time: 3:00pm on Saturday
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Agates, petrified wood and barite pseudomorphs
Leader: Dale Gann
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Desert conditions (can be hot, cold and/or windy); scorpions and bugs; possible rattlesnakes; sunburn.
Terrain: Barren, rocky desert mountains. Remote and arid.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~4000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any vehicle can get to the camp site. A high-clearance vehicle is needed to get to some of the more remote sites.
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens.
Camping: Dry camp near collecting areas
Water: Bring all you will need! The closest water is 50+ miles away.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Moab, UT and Green River, UT which are both about 50 miles away. There is a gas station about 20 miles away.
Nearest Motel is in: Moab, UT
Additional Comments: We are going to dry camp at the site shown on the map, but no facilities. We will have a "Porto-Dale" for everyone to use. Bring plenty of water, ice and fuel because it's a long drive to the store. The Yellow Cat-Cisco area has many collecting possibilities. Each mesa has a different color agate. Some hiking is necessary to reach the best spots, but specimens can be found close to roads. We will meet at the camp site and head out from there after lunch. Joint trip with 3 other clubs.
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Topaz Mtn. and Dugway, Utah Trip
May 26 - 28 (Memorial Day weekend)
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: at the Topaz Mtn sign just south of Topaz Mtn/Thomas Range
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Topaz, Red Beryl, Garnet, Pseudobrookite and Geodes
Leader: Eldon Hunewell
Approximately: 550 miles (10 hours) from Denver
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Desert conditions (can be hot, cold and/or windy); may snow; scorpions and bugs; possible rattlesnakes; sunburn.
Terrain: Barren, rocky desert mountains. Remote and arid. Scrub-covered rhyolite mountains surrounded by salt flats.
Difficulty: Easy to Extreme
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: none 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: Plenty of rugged campsites, but no facilities. Bring plenty of water. The Dugway Geode Beds location is north of Topaz Mtn. Some hiking is necessary to reach the best spots, but specimens can be found close to roads. Which collecting locality we visit first depends on the weather. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
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Denver Museum of Nature & Science Trip
June 13
Pictures
Where: TBA
Time: TBA
Land owner: n/a
To Collect: Nothing; Tour only
Leader: April Pullen
Approximately: in Denver
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: none
Terrain: Museum-like conditions exist; beware
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~5280 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: none
Camping: none
Water: Available at the snack bar and restaurant!
Nearest Town for Supplies: Denver
Nearest Motel is in: Denver
Additional Comments: Some walking is necessary to reach the best spots. No digging or collection is allowed! :-)
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Rifle, CO Trip
June 16
Where: (see the June newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Various fossils including leaves and shells
Leader: Tim Arnett
Approximately: 3 hours to the meeting location from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; loose rocks.
Terrain: Some flat areas; some cliffs.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~6000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: High-clearance, 4WD suggested!
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, prybar, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your specimens.
Camping: NONE
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Rifle
Nearest Motel is in: Rifle
Additional Comments: Toilets not available. Bring plenty of water. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
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Blue Forest (Farson, WY)
June 28 - July 1
Pictures
Where: (contact the trip leader)
Time: (contact the trip leader)
Land owner: Public property
To Collect: Blue Forest Wood, Eden Valley Wood (?), Agate and maybe Fossil Fish
Leader: Ted Gildea
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat; sunburn; mosquitos and ticks; can be extremely windy. Wyoming weather can be extreme in any direction – hot, cold, windy. Please prepare for almost anything. We have experienced sleet on July 4th. Another time someone’s tent nearly became a balloon.
Terrain: High desert
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~7200 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any; 4WD vehicle not required.
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, long thin pole for probing in the ground, and collecting bags.
Camping: Near collecting sites
Water: Not available; bring PLENTY of water.
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 extremely windy! Joint trip with the RAMS club.
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White Raven Mine (Ward, CO) Trip
July 14
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: The mine is private property; we will have permission to dig in the dumps/tailings only.
To Collect: Metal ore minerals (silver, acanthite, galena, pyrite, sphalerite) and gangue minerals (barite, siderite, quartz, calcite) from the dump
Leader: Todd Shannon
Approximately: 1.5 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: Old mine dump conditions (e.g. boulders, old timbers, rusty metal, etc.)
Terrain: Mountains; barren mine area
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: 8694
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, rock hammer, chisels, scratcher, prybar and something to hold your specimens; sturdy shoes/boots; eye protection.
Camping: none
Water: none
Nearest Town for Supplies: Ward, CO
Nearest Motel is in: n/a
Additional Comments: There will be a maximum of 15 or 20 club members allowed on this trip. ABSOLUTELY NO ENTERING THE MINE SHAFTS, ADITS OR BUILDINGS! USE CAUTION! Somewhat high altitude, so be ready for hot or cold weather.
BACK TO TOP
Wolf Creek Pass, CO Trip
August 4 - 5
Pictures
Where: (see the July newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Geodes
Leader: Dale Gann
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: (to be announced)
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: ~8,000 - 9,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, and a bucket to hold your specimens.
Camping: There are 2 forest service campgrounds near the site.
Water: Bring your own. Campgrounds may or may not have water.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Pagosa Springs, CO
Nearest Motel is in: Pagosa Springs, CO
Additional Comments: Collecting is on an old logging road that is closed to vehicles. The geodes are weathering out of basalt. Some can be found on the ground and others have to be broken out of the basalt. This is the same rock formation that people have collected from along the highway for many years, but it is a lot safer and has not been over-collected.
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Devil's Head, CO Trip
August 25 - 26
Pictures
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: National Forest Service
To Collect: Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz
Leader: Ted Gildea
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 RAMS club.
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Mt. Antero, CO Trip
September 1 - 3 (Labor Day weekend)
Pictures
Where: (see the August newsletter)
Time: 9am
Land owner: private claims on National Forest Service land
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 talus rocks).
Terrain: Steep, barren, 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 (lightning, rain, snow and hail) 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.
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Roosevelt Lake, UT Trip
September 28 - 30 Moved from July 7-8
Where: (contact the leader)
Time: (contact the leader)
Land owner: National Forest
To Collect: Various fossils including horn coral, pipe organ coral, gastropods and aragonite crystals
Leaders: Junior Hicks and Tim Arnett
Approximately: 7 hours to the meeting location from Denver
Fee or Donation: None (although a little gas money for Junior would be nice)
Health Hazards: Sunburn; loose rocks.
Terrain: Some flat areas; some cliffs.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: ~10,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: High-clearance, 4WD suggested
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, pick, prybar, rock hammer, crack hammer, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your specimens.
Camping: Self-contained trailers in Tim's yard or nearby
Water: Available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Roosevelt, UT
Nearest Motel is in: Roosevelt, UT (book your rooms early!)
Additional Comments: We have the privilege to have Junior Hicks (a native of the area) lead this trip. He has lead trips for many years to the area we are going for over 35 years. We will be digging in an area between Roosevelt and Duchesne. I (Tim) will also be taking people leaf hunting either Friday or Sunday. Saturday the 29th, Junior will lead the trip up to Stillwater Lake area, he has taught geology for years in the area.
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Stoneham, CO Trip
September 29
Pictures
Where: (contact the trip leader)
Time: 9:30am
Land owner: Claim on private property, permission REQUIRED (club members have permission)
To Collect: Blue Barite and Calcite
Leader: April Pullen
Approximately: 2 hours from Denver
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Can be hot, cold and/or windy; Sunburn (no shade); possible rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Grassy plains and barren cliffs..
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any.
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, crack hammer, chisels, prybar, pick, wedges and something to hold your delicate specimens (such as egg cartons and tissues).
Camping: No camping available
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south) or Sterling, CO (to the east).
Nearest Motel is in: Ft. Morgan, CO (36 miles to the south) or Sterling, CO (to the east).
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. The claim owner says the gate might not be open, but we will figure a work around, if that is the case, and possibly have to go around.
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Book Cliffs and Yellow Cat (Grand Junction, CO) Trip #2
October 6 - 8
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (see the September newsletter)
Time: 10am
Land owner: BLM
To Collect: Barite and Calcite
Leader: Ron and Judy Knoshaug
Approximately: 4 hours from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Heat and sunburn (there is no shade). Bring adequate protection from the sun such as sunscreen. Some people bring a tarp to shade themselves; wind; snakes; scorpions (every trip Ron sees several); no water (bring plenty of water). Always a possibility of heavy rain.
Terrain: Low barren hills.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~4,000 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: Shovel, rock pick, rock hammer, prybar, chisels, scratcher and something to hold your collected specimens. Barite crystals are very heat-sensitive, so they should be kept cool and moist so they don't fracture. Then let them gradually dry at home. You might want to bring a small cooler to put the barite crystals in to keep them from rapid temperature changes.
Camping: Dry camping near the site; no shade
Water: Not available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Grand Junction (15 miles away)
Nearest Motel is in: Grand Junction (15 miles away)
Additional Comments: A 2-wheel drive vehicle is sufficient for the road to the digging area as long as the road is dry. If the roads become wet, the clay roads will become EXTREMELY slippery and impassable even for a 4-wheel drive vehicle; may have deep ruts and wash-outs after rain storms. Due to all the oil and gas exploration activity, the motels have been full recently. Joint trip with the RAMS club. Leaders Ron and Judy Knoshaug will be moving over to the Yellow Cat area on Sunday evening, October 7 to collect agates, petrified wood, and barite pseudomorphs on Monday. Anyone wishing to go along from the Book Cliffs area is welcome. If you wish to go to Yellow Cat, let us know and we will give you a map. The area is much the same as the Book Cliffs area in that there is no water so you need lots and the roads will become impassable if it rains much.
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Harris Park, CO Trip
October 13
Pictures
Where: (see the October newsletter)
Time: 9:30am
Land owner: Private mineral claim
To Collect: Amazonite, Smoky Quartz, Fluorite, Albite, etc
Leader: Jim Hooten (Littleton Club)
Approximately: 45 minutes to 1 hour from Denver to the meeting place
Fee or Donation: None
Health Hazards: Sunburn; cold; insects.
Terrain: Mountains and pine trees.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: ~9,500 ft
Vehicle Suggested: 4WD required
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 newer "Honey Bee/Queen Bee" claim. Toilets not available. Bring insect repellent and plenty of water.
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New Mexico Mineral Symposium (Socorro, New Mexico) Trip
November 8 - 11
Trip Report and Pictures
Where: (contact the trip leader)
Time: (contact the trip leader)
Land owner: (contact the trip leader)
To Collect: Fluorite and ???
Leader: Ted Gildea
Fee or Donation: none for the field trip
Health Hazards: Sunburn; heat; scorpions; rattlesnakes.
Terrain: Steep, rocky mountains; desert.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation: low desert (~3000 ft)
Vehicle Suggested: Any; High Clearance suggested.
Equipment Suggested: Pick, rock hammer, chisels, prybar and collecting bags.
Camping: (contact the trip leader)
Water: Not Available. Bring plenty of water.
Nearest Town for Supplies: Socorro, NM
Nearest Motel is in: Socorro, NM
Additional Comments: Symposium is on Saturday and Sunday. Contact the trip leader for additional details. Joint trip with the RAMS club.
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Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum Trip
November 17
Where: Lobby of the Geology Museum, Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO)
Time: 2pm
Land owner: n/a
To Collect: Nothing; Tour only
Leader: Bruce Geller, Curator
Approximately: n/a
Fee or Donation: none
Health Hazards: none
Terrain: Museum-like conditions exist; beware
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: ~5674 ft
Vehicle Suggested: Any
Equipment Suggested: none
Camping: none
Water: Drinking fountains available
Nearest Town for Supplies: Golden
Nearest Motel is in: Golden
Additional Comments: Some walking is necessary to reach the best spots. No digging or collecting is allowed! :-) The museum is open to the public as well, so you may come early if you wish. The museum is located at 1310 Maple Street (corner of 13th and Maple), Golden. Since it is a Saturday, there should be plenty of parking on the street. The museum is only a few years old and hosts a spectacular display of minerals from Colorado as well as all over the world.
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