ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 22:18:07 GMT -5
I need some advice. Great campsites, road conditions ( front wheel drive minivan) and any tips on where to hunt the wild rocks in any of the areas described. I've mapped out a hiking and rockhounding adventure starting bright and early the 15th of April. We leave Greensboro NC then head to Moab. I plan to hike Dead horse and then Leprechan trail first then head to Yellowcat for our first hunt. From there we will head to Brian Head,Cedar City (I'm
supposed to contact zarguy or 1dave) area then to Holt canyon. We will then hike the slot canyon at Buckskin gulch. After that we plan to head to Valley of fire in Nevada for an additional hike and then off to Lavic and surrounding areas looping back north to Area 51 for a camp then to Goldfield and Gemfield further to Mcdermitt then to Graveyard point heading west from there to Leslie gulch area and then off to Glass Butte and Hampton Butte. I plan on stopping at Richardsons Rock Ranch(because I'm sure I couldn't possibly have enough rocks by then) and then a drive to the coast for a hike at Crater lake and a scenic beachy rock hunt all the way to Astoria cutting back east and stopping at China hollow for some Biggs. Heading further east stopping to see Tony at Idaho rocks (How do I do that?) Traveling further east into Wyoming in an effort to find some banded iron (maybe copper mountain area???) We will then head to the Rock Shed to pick up polish and some spare parts and try to hound some of the areas near there and south into Nebraska from that point B line it back home. I plan to MFRB our rock finds home during the trip. I have six weeks to complete this mission. We will be boondocking most of the time, I have a tent that attatches to the back of the van and all the camping essentials. We will stay at some campgrounds with power and shower a few times and get hotel rooms every few days. So if you are familiar with any of these areas and are so kind to advize they would be much appreciated. Also if you have other suggestions within the described route I would love to hear about them. I'm definitely stopping in Hanksville to get a Stan's burger and talking to Cathy. Randy RWA3006 has given me some great advice already for some of the aforementioned areas and I'm much obliged. This should be one heck of a trip I'm super excited to be able to take my daughter and share this trip of a lifetime with her. I also have the best wife ever for greenlighting this operation. So thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and messaging me or commenting. I'll be looking forward to reading the replies.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 6, 2024 22:33:45 GMT -5
Well...I'm a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from The Rock Shed. I've met several forum members up there! When you get closer to knowing actual dates on when you plan on being in this area, if you want to meet up...and if it's on a day I can...I'd be more than happy to meet up with you! I can share some "common" areas around here to go hounding. You may want to plan on about 10 MFRB's of "ancient river gravel" for tumbling coming from this area! LOL - I took Starguy Brent and his wife out hounding, and he immediately said, "You could just take shovel full after shovel full of what's just laying around and 99% of it would tumble great!" (*Okay...maybe not verbatim...but close! LOL) |
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 22:39:11 GMT -5
Well...I'm a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from The Rock Shed. I've met several forum members up there! When you get closer to knowing actual dates on when you plan on being in this area, if you want to meet up...and if it's on a day I can...I'd be more than happy to meet up with you! I can share some "common" areas around here to go hounding. You may want to plan on about 10 MFRB's of "ancient river gravel" for tumbling coming from this area! LOL - I took Starguy Brent and his wife out hounding, and he immediately said, "You could just take shovel full after shovel full of what's just laying around and 99% of it would tumble great!" (*Okay...maybe not verbatim...but close! LOL) I would love to. I'll message you a week in advance and try to plan what's good for you. Thanks for offering, looking forward to meeting in person. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 6, 2024 22:42:59 GMT -5
Well...I'm a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from The Rock Shed. I've met several forum members up there! When you get closer to knowing actual dates on when you plan on being in this area, if you want to meet up...and if it's on a day I can...I'd be more than happy to meet up with you! I can share some "common" areas around here to go hounding. You may want to plan on about 10 MFRB's of "ancient river gravel" for tumbling coming from this area! LOL - I took Starguy Brent and his wife out hounding, and he immediately said, "You could just take shovel full after shovel full of what's just laying around and 99% of it would tumble great!" (*Okay...maybe not verbatim...but close! LOL) I would love to. I'll message you a week in advance and try to plan what's good for you. Thanks for offering, looking forward to meeting in person. Absolutely! I've been blessed to be in an area which has allowed me to meet a bunch of forum members making their way through this area...and have had a blast each and every time!  |
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 22:52:22 GMT -5
I would love to. I'll message you a week in advance and try to plan what's good for you. Thanks for offering, looking forward to meeting in person. Absolutely! I've been blessed to be in an area which has allowed me to meet a bunch of forum members making their way through this area...and have had a blast each and every time! I've been through there several times and love the Badlands and Black Hills last time I was through stopped at the Minute Man Missle Meuseum and touched a piece of the Berlin wall ( Kind of a big deal for my generation) way cool. You are blessed until November then your still blessed but a bit chillier bless than before. I was born in AK and grew up in NW Montana so I'm familiar:) |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 6, 2024 22:57:15 GMT -5
Absolutely! I've been blessed to be in an area which has allowed me to meet a bunch of forum members making their way through this area...and have had a blast each and every time! I've been through there several times and love the Badlands and Black Hills last time I was through stopped at the Minute Man Missle Meuseum and touched a piece of the Berlin wall ( Kind of a big deal for my generation) way cool. You are blessed until November then your still blessed but a bit chillier bless than before. I was born in AK and grew up in NW Montana so I'm familiar:) My father was in the Air Force...and he was the Superintendent of the personnel at the LCFs (Launch Control Facilities)... The Berlin Wall came down when I was a Junior in High School...so yeah...a part of my generation as well!  This winter was MILD! We only had a couple snow falls that amounted to anything...and only a week or so of subzero temps. So, none of us in this area have anything to whine about this year! LOL |
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 23:12:28 GMT -5
I've been through there several times and love the Badlands and Black Hills last time I was through stopped at the Minute Man Missle Meuseum and touched a piece of the Berlin wall ( Kind of a big deal for my generation) way cool. You are blessed until November then your still blessed but a bit chillier bless than before. I was born in AK and grew up in NW Montana so I'm familiar:) My father was in the Air Force...and he was the Superintendent of the personnel at the LCFs (Launch Control Facilities)... The Berlin Wall came down when I was a Junior in High School...so yeah...a part of my generation as well! This winter was MILD! We only had a couple snow falls that amounted to anything...and only a week or so of subzero temps. So, none of us in this area have anything to whine about this year! LOL One of the coolest most breathtaking moments in my youth was riding in a pickup up a steep Coulee and just as we crested the hill a B-52 flying parallel with the road BENEATH radar flew directly over the top of us. Wow! Its engines are absolutely screaming and the shadow of the behemoth blocked the sun. Made me feel pretty small and awestruck. That and all the strange little buildings with fencing all around scattered all over the middle of nowhere blue sign yellow writing. Hmm' what could that be? A bit unsettling. Love it out in that part of the country. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 6, 2024 23:25:42 GMT -5
My father was in the Air Force...and he was the Superintendent of the personnel at the LCFs (Launch Control Facilities)... The Berlin Wall came down when I was a Junior in High School...so yeah...a part of my generation as well! This winter was MILD! We only had a couple snow falls that amounted to anything...and only a week or so of subzero temps. So, none of us in this area have anything to whine about this year! LOL One of the coolest most breathtaking moments in my youth was riding in a pickup up a steep Coulee and just as we crested the hill a B-52 flying parallel with the road BENEATH radar flew directly over the top of us. Wow! Its engines are absolutely screaming and the shadow of the behemoth blocked the sun. Made me feel pretty small and awestruck. That and all the strange little buildings with fencing all around scattered all over the middle of nowhere blue sign yellow writing. Hmm' what could that be? A bit unsettling. Love it out in that part of the country. That HAD to have been awe-inspiring! We've got B1s out here now...and you want to talk about "rattling" the pictures on the walls when they fly over! Sheesh! Supposedly we're going to be getting the new B21s out here at Ellsworth AFB. Should be interesting to say the least!  |
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 23:27:04 GMT -5
Wanted to Thank Rockbrain as well for your help. Greatly appreciated. Looks like it's already starting to get warm in Lavic this week. Maybe I'll get lucky. Anybody rockhound at night around camp? Do's Don'ts?
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,625 
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Post by RWA3006 on Apr 6, 2024 23:27:08 GMT -5
I would consider vegasjames to be a solid resource for the Nevada part of your trip. He's very knowledgeable about that area.
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 23:29:57 GMT -5
I would consider vegasjames to be a solid resource for the Nevada part of your trip. He's very knowledgeable about that area. Thanks. I picked up some rough from him last year maybe he'll chime in |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 6, 2024 23:31:04 GMT -5
I see you’re coming right through my neck of the woods. I’m in central Oregon
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 6, 2024 23:51:01 GMT -5
I see you’re coming right through my neck of the woods. I’m in central Oregon Thanks for chiming in. I'm a bit concerned with the roads around Leslie gulch and graveyard, have you been, and thoughts with Front wheel drive van? We are able to walk a pretty good distance if necessary. I've tried to judge some of the areas roads off of YouTube videos and Google maps so I'm trying to prevent as many unforseen instances of shouldn't have tried it as possible. |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 6, 2024 23:55:19 GMT -5
I see you’re coming right through my neck of the woods. I’m in central Oregon Thanks for chiming in. I'm a bit concerned with the roads around Leslie gulch and graveyard, have you been, and thoughts with Front wheel drive van? We are able to walk a pretty good distance if necessary. I've tried to judge some of the areas roads off of YouTube videos and Google maps so I'm trying to prevent as many unforseen instances of shouldn't have tried it as possible. Not sure how the roads around graveyard point will be. Haven’t been out there for a while now. The roads around Hampton and glass buttes should be fine. If you want to do some hounding around central Oregon other than glass buttes Or Hampton, let me know. This is my stomping grounds and I know where all the good stuff is. |
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 7, 2024 11:09:15 GMT -5
Thanks for chiming in. I'm a bit concerned with the roads around Leslie gulch and graveyard, have you been, and thoughts with Front wheel drive van? We are able to walk a pretty good distance if necessary. I've tried to judge some of the areas roads off of YouTube videos and Google maps so I'm trying to prevent as many unforseen instances of shouldn't have tried it as possible. Not sure how the roads around graveyard point will be. Haven’t been out there for a while now. The roads around Hampton and glass buttes should be fine. If you want to do some hounding around central Oregon other than glass buttes Or Hampton, let me know. This is my stomping grounds and I know where all the good stuff is. Would love to meet up and rockhound with you. I'll check in as I get closer and we can set up a time that is good for you. Thanks for the offer I really appreciate it. |
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 8, 2024 3:22:27 GMT -5
You mentioned Valley of Fire, which is my favorite place here in Southern Nevada. Can't collect there, but beautiful place to visit. There is Nevada pudding stone just North of Valley of Fire off the Ute turnoff about 5 miles or so going East off the I-15. Here is an example:  Valley of Fire does have a campground. Going to Lavic you should be coming through Las Vegas and taking the I-15 South. South of Las Vegas off the I-15 is the Goodsprings District, which is a great collecting location, especially for copper-silver ores, but a mini van would not be ideal to reach most places there. Kokoweef, just past Stateline at Mountain Pass on the I-15 has all sorts of great stuff, and many of the areas are easily accessible. There is unakite, epidote, garnet in quartz, blue-green jasper, specular hematite, purple andesite, etc. Not sure which way you are going to Lavic, but if you stay on the I-15 there is some great stuff down in Afton Canyon off the I-15 between Baker and Barstow. There is also a campground at Afton Canyon going in on the main road from Dunn, California. There are two entrances to Afton Canyon. Closer to Barstow, there are several places. Existing off of Harvard Road you will see a small hill out off to the right. There is pink chalcedony at the hill. Be careful though as there is a lot of soft sand, and I did see a baby sidewinder out there. Next exit is Minneola Road. Exit and follow road around gas station and hamburger joint and follow rough paved road down a short distance to the gas line road, which is a dirt road marked with yellow markers. Turn left and go up to the first hill on the right. Hill has a lot of sard (brown chalcedony), wood jasper (especially on the backside), blue banded chert, yellow to orange moss agate, green chalcedony and palm root. Both areas can be reached by a mini van. Check with me when you are heading this way. I am planning some trips to these areas and I may be able to lead you to some areas. |
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 8, 2024 9:19:09 GMT -5
You mentioned Valley of Fire, which is my favorite place here in Southern Nevada. Can't collect there, but beautiful place to visit. There is Nevada pudding stone just North of Valley of Fire off the Ute turnoff about 5 miles or so going East off the I-15. Here is an example: Valley of Fire does have a campground. Going to Lavic you should be coming through Las Vegas and taking the I-15 South. South of Las Vegas off the I-15 is the Goodsprings District, which is a great collecting location, especially for copper-silver ores, but a mini van would not be ideal to reach most places there. Kokoweef, just past Stateline at Mountain Pass on the I-15 has all sorts of great stuff, and many of the areas are easily accessible. There is unakite, epidote, garnet in quartz, blue-green jasper, specular hematite, purple andesite, etc. Not sure which way you are going to Lavic, but if you stay on the I-15 there is some great stuff down in Afton Canyon off the I-15 between Baker and Barstow. There is also a campground at Afton Canyon going in on the main road from Dunn, California. There are two entrances to Afton Canyon. Closer to Barstow, there are several places. Existing off of Harvard Road you will see a small hill out off to the right. There is pink chalcedony at the hill. Be careful though as there is a lot of soft sand, and I did see a baby sidewinder out there. Next exit is Minneola Road. Exit and follow road around gas station and hamburger joint and follow rough paved road down a short distance to the gas line road, which is a dirt road marked with yellow markers. Turn left and go up to the first hill on the right. Hill has a lot of sard (brown chalcedony), wood jasper (especially on the backside), blue banded chert, yellow to orange moss agate, green chalcedony and palm root. Both areas can be reached by a mini van. Check with me when you are heading this way. I am planning some trips to these areas and I may be able to lead you to some areas. Wow, thank you so much. This sounds amazing. I will message you when we get closer and would love to meet up. Hope it works with your schedule. |
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Looking forward to my Friday Night Barrel Clean out!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 492
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Post by hplcman on Apr 8, 2024 10:02:02 GMT -5
Your trip sounds amazing, and I'm totally jealous! It's like pulling teeth to get my 14-year-old daughter to do anything with me. I hope you both have a wonderful time and I looking forward to seeing pictures of your finds!
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ronnsrockroundup
starting to spend too much on rocks
Hurry up and wait.
Member since October 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by ronnsrockroundup on Apr 8, 2024 10:58:30 GMT -5
Your trip sounds amazing, and I'm totally jealous! It's like pulling teeth to get my 14-year-old daughter to do anything with me. I hope you both have a wonderful time and I looking forward to seeing pictures of your finds! I feel blessed that my daughter is willing and wants to get outdoors with me. I know I don't have too many more years of this, but maybe she will pass it on to her kids. My 16 YO son wants no part if it so at least I have one. My in-laws think I'm completely nuts when I do trips like this and I think they are nuts for not wanting to. Having moved east 30 years ago I have a burning desire to get out into the wilds that is just not readily available here so my understanding wife let's me off the leash occasionally to go west run wild and find my peace. I know I need to figure out how to post pics on here just haven't taken the time yet. I've made an agreement with my daughter that every few days we will get a room so she can have internet access to visit her friends it's a fair compromise. 😊 Come on out it should be great. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Apr 8, 2024 11:05:03 GMT -5
This is quite the trip you have planned! I'm envious and looking forward to seeing what you two find! Should be nice to put so many faces to forum names, as well.
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