Post by SteveHolmes on Oct 29, 2006 23:32:39 GMT -5
Utah Septarian Nodules
(Alton and Mt. Caramel)
Here’s yet another field trip report…I hope you enjoy it. My buddy wanted to get me out one more time this year, and since I’ve been out of town so much, and am leaving again Wednesday, this was about the only weekend to head out, besides the weather was going to be perfect. My friend, (Jeff) has wanted to go out and search for the Septarian Nodules for quite some time, and so we decided what better time than now. Just a brief summary about what the Septarian is: "Utah Septarian Nodules were formed in an ancient sea floor during the... cretaceous period..." These specimens are claystone, with a calcite filling. He picked me up at 4:00 AM and after loading up some food, buckets, shovels, and all tools we thought would be necessary we hit the road, excited to be able to get out one more time before the weather turned ugly, cold and snowy. We decided to try Alton first, and we had directions in our Rockhounding Utah book. It’s about a 5+ hour drive to get to Alton, and by the time we got there, we were tired of sitting and anxious to see what we could find. Of course, finding the location is not always the easiest thing to do, and by the time we got to the dirt road, and passed many roads going every direction, we were almost certain we were not in the right location. Jeff decided to drive a little bit further, than we were going to turn around and back track to see if we took a wrong turn. There were no signs of digs or fragments on the side of the road, as the book indicated there would be, so we decided to turn around. While turning around, Jeff noticed some small pieces of the yellow calcite crystals on the ground, and this indeed verified we were in the proper spot, now all we had to do was search and with a little luck find a few nodules. We both split up and went separate directions, and we both got lucky. The more we walked around, the more broken pieces we found scattered around a large area. You must remember, this was the first time we’ve ever been to this area, and the first time trying our luck at finding the Septarian. We found out that the ones we were finding, were about 12-20” below the surface, and they were very fragile. We both found some productive spots, and Jeff probably found the best spot. We quickly found out how fragile the Nodules were, and being only not too far below the surface, the weather really fractured them up. We dug and found some great pieces, and bigger nodules than I expected. We were both thrilled with what we were able to find, and by the time we had dug for quite some time, we were pooped! Before we left, we decided to walk a wash, just to see if we could spot any nodules sticking out of the ground. No nodules, but I did stumble on an arrowhead, unfortunately it has a broken tip, but none-the-less….Very Cool!! We left the area about 2:30 and decided to head down to Joes Rock Shop located in Orderville. We wanted to visit Ken, (the owner of the shop) and ask about the nodules down in the Mt. Caramel area. We were hoping to get permission to dig, as well as some directions. Ken is one of the nicest men around, very friendly, willing to help out a couple of Septarian rookies, and very knowledgeable. We showed him a few of our nodules we had found out at Alton, and he was very surprised at the size and structure of them. I asked him if he’d cut my big one and he agreed to do it for 20 bucks. He said he’d first have to glue it, because of how fractured it was. I also showed him a few of our other nodules, including one which when I showed it to him, he wanted to instantly buy it form me. This one particular nodule was about 6” diameter, perfect roundness. He told us this one would probably have an Ammonite Fossil in it, and he really wanted to buy it from me. I told him it was his if he’d cut my rock. It was agreed. Jeff and I were very surprised at finding out about the possibilities of fossils being found, and it was something new we learned to look for next time out. The Septarians found at Alton are more fractured and not as well Calcified as the ones located at Mt. Caramel. It was about 4:00 and we still had some daylight left, and asked Ken about the Mt. Caramel location. He told us about it, drew us a map, sent us out with some extra tools, and gave us some tips on where to dig and look. The Mt. Caramel area is about another 20 minute drive from Joes Rock Shop, and 4WD is almost a must, especially if you miss a turn and head down a very washed out draw, which Jeff did. Thank goodness for 4WD because we were in a couple precarious places where the recent rains had put some nice gullies and washes over the road. After driving around on wrong roads, we were able to get our bearings straight, and find the dig area. We only had a little over an hour, so we just pretty much walked around and found plenty a scattered pieces. I must say, these specimens are less fractured and have more defined Calcite crystals and structure. I found a nice ridge and found some hefty nodules…some which probably weigh at least 30lbs. Jeff also found some whole nodules, and we had a great time, just not enough daylight. We headed back to Joes Rock shop to drop off tools and pick up my cut Septarian. Ken was very surprised at the Alton Nodule, he said he hardly sees any come from that area, and the ones he sees, are less impressive. He had also cracked the nodule I let him have, and sure enough, there was about a 5” big Ammonite. This was really cool, and I almost wished I would’ve kept it….but oh well. I still got a good deal on a cut rock, which he had to use almost a whole bottle of glue and as well as some accelerator. We talked for another hour or so, and left at around 8PM….dreading another 5 hour drive back. Needless to say, we got home around 1am tired but thrilled with our finds. We want to go back out again, and next time we will know a lot more about techniques in finding the nodules and being able to locate them. Hope you enjoyed the Field Trip report. I will be leaving on Wednesday for Colorado, and won’t be around much for the next few weeks. Take care everyone and KOR!!!!
Steve
Jeff and the haul...
The Big Alton nodule Ken cut
A freshly cut Alton nodule. (compare with the Mt. Caramel nodule)
Mt. Caramel nodule (freshly off the saw)
(Alton and Mt. Caramel)
Here’s yet another field trip report…I hope you enjoy it. My buddy wanted to get me out one more time this year, and since I’ve been out of town so much, and am leaving again Wednesday, this was about the only weekend to head out, besides the weather was going to be perfect. My friend, (Jeff) has wanted to go out and search for the Septarian Nodules for quite some time, and so we decided what better time than now. Just a brief summary about what the Septarian is: "Utah Septarian Nodules were formed in an ancient sea floor during the... cretaceous period..." These specimens are claystone, with a calcite filling. He picked me up at 4:00 AM and after loading up some food, buckets, shovels, and all tools we thought would be necessary we hit the road, excited to be able to get out one more time before the weather turned ugly, cold and snowy. We decided to try Alton first, and we had directions in our Rockhounding Utah book. It’s about a 5+ hour drive to get to Alton, and by the time we got there, we were tired of sitting and anxious to see what we could find. Of course, finding the location is not always the easiest thing to do, and by the time we got to the dirt road, and passed many roads going every direction, we were almost certain we were not in the right location. Jeff decided to drive a little bit further, than we were going to turn around and back track to see if we took a wrong turn. There were no signs of digs or fragments on the side of the road, as the book indicated there would be, so we decided to turn around. While turning around, Jeff noticed some small pieces of the yellow calcite crystals on the ground, and this indeed verified we were in the proper spot, now all we had to do was search and with a little luck find a few nodules. We both split up and went separate directions, and we both got lucky. The more we walked around, the more broken pieces we found scattered around a large area. You must remember, this was the first time we’ve ever been to this area, and the first time trying our luck at finding the Septarian. We found out that the ones we were finding, were about 12-20” below the surface, and they were very fragile. We both found some productive spots, and Jeff probably found the best spot. We quickly found out how fragile the Nodules were, and being only not too far below the surface, the weather really fractured them up. We dug and found some great pieces, and bigger nodules than I expected. We were both thrilled with what we were able to find, and by the time we had dug for quite some time, we were pooped! Before we left, we decided to walk a wash, just to see if we could spot any nodules sticking out of the ground. No nodules, but I did stumble on an arrowhead, unfortunately it has a broken tip, but none-the-less….Very Cool!! We left the area about 2:30 and decided to head down to Joes Rock Shop located in Orderville. We wanted to visit Ken, (the owner of the shop) and ask about the nodules down in the Mt. Caramel area. We were hoping to get permission to dig, as well as some directions. Ken is one of the nicest men around, very friendly, willing to help out a couple of Septarian rookies, and very knowledgeable. We showed him a few of our nodules we had found out at Alton, and he was very surprised at the size and structure of them. I asked him if he’d cut my big one and he agreed to do it for 20 bucks. He said he’d first have to glue it, because of how fractured it was. I also showed him a few of our other nodules, including one which when I showed it to him, he wanted to instantly buy it form me. This one particular nodule was about 6” diameter, perfect roundness. He told us this one would probably have an Ammonite Fossil in it, and he really wanted to buy it from me. I told him it was his if he’d cut my rock. It was agreed. Jeff and I were very surprised at finding out about the possibilities of fossils being found, and it was something new we learned to look for next time out. The Septarians found at Alton are more fractured and not as well Calcified as the ones located at Mt. Caramel. It was about 4:00 and we still had some daylight left, and asked Ken about the Mt. Caramel location. He told us about it, drew us a map, sent us out with some extra tools, and gave us some tips on where to dig and look. The Mt. Caramel area is about another 20 minute drive from Joes Rock Shop, and 4WD is almost a must, especially if you miss a turn and head down a very washed out draw, which Jeff did. Thank goodness for 4WD because we were in a couple precarious places where the recent rains had put some nice gullies and washes over the road. After driving around on wrong roads, we were able to get our bearings straight, and find the dig area. We only had a little over an hour, so we just pretty much walked around and found plenty a scattered pieces. I must say, these specimens are less fractured and have more defined Calcite crystals and structure. I found a nice ridge and found some hefty nodules…some which probably weigh at least 30lbs. Jeff also found some whole nodules, and we had a great time, just not enough daylight. We headed back to Joes Rock shop to drop off tools and pick up my cut Septarian. Ken was very surprised at the Alton Nodule, he said he hardly sees any come from that area, and the ones he sees, are less impressive. He had also cracked the nodule I let him have, and sure enough, there was about a 5” big Ammonite. This was really cool, and I almost wished I would’ve kept it….but oh well. I still got a good deal on a cut rock, which he had to use almost a whole bottle of glue and as well as some accelerator. We talked for another hour or so, and left at around 8PM….dreading another 5 hour drive back. Needless to say, we got home around 1am tired but thrilled with our finds. We want to go back out again, and next time we will know a lot more about techniques in finding the nodules and being able to locate them. Hope you enjoyed the Field Trip report. I will be leaving on Wednesday for Colorado, and won’t be around much for the next few weeks. Take care everyone and KOR!!!!
Steve
Jeff and the haul...
The Big Alton nodule Ken cut
A freshly cut Alton nodule. (compare with the Mt. Caramel nodule)
Mt. Caramel nodule (freshly off the saw)
