kev6200
starting to shine!
Stupidity should be painful!!!!
Member since January 2009
Posts: 30
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Post by kev6200 on Jan 18, 2009 21:25:26 GMT -5
It was suggested that I start this thread and then sit back for the bombardment that is to follow.  I am brand new to the hobby and loaded my brand new Lortone 33B with the roughs that came with it. (I couldn't wait to get started). I now realized that I am in the middle of a great rockhounding location and that was sacrilege. Any of you Phoenicians or other hounds that trek out this way care to share some ideas as to where a neophyte such as I could get a decent haul to load up said Lortone 33B? I appreciate any and all help. Thanks much! I am sitting back waiting for the bombardment  |
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Post by sbreed on Jan 18, 2009 23:25:00 GMT -5
What part of Phoenix are you in? I can give up a couple of spots! lol :cheesy:
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Post by puppie96 on Jan 19, 2009 4:53:45 GMT -5
LOL from me too. I am in Arizona at this very moment because I love to come out here and collect rocks, especially if I can hook up with other Arizonians that I met on this board. I have now travelled something like 1600 miles one way 5 or 6 times, primarily to go out and collect. And I am pretty much a neophyte too. I am envious of your forthcoming bombardment and ensuing activities. As to the issue of what to load into said new Lortone, until the bombardment begins, you could try going out to your back yard and looking at the ground.
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kev6200
starting to shine!
Stupidity should be painful!!!!
Member since January 2009
Posts: 30
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Post by kev6200 on Jan 19, 2009 8:24:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. I live in the west valley (99th ave just south of the 10), but I roam everything Phoenix and west for work. I usually don't go west of the 51 for work, but when I am off anywhere is fair game. I even do some trips to Yuma on occasion for work. I guess walking around with my head down just about anywhere will work for now, huh! :-)
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Post by sbreed on Jan 19, 2009 9:07:57 GMT -5
Do you have a GPS?
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Jan 19, 2009 11:13:09 GMT -5
Oh Hey.. Hello AZ.. Me tooo!!.. I WISH I could give you a good Spot.. Not sure GPS is going to help you.. unless you know someone from the National Gaurd... ? or Search and Rescue? :serious: ... I'm pretty sure they'd be familar with some of the places I'd take ya.. LOL jks.. HOpe ya find The Gooderest Spots in AZ!! ;D |
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Post by Michael John on Jan 19, 2009 12:41:30 GMT -5
To those who would like to share a collecting site ... if written directions may be too difficult or confusing, it's real easy to get the GPS coordinates, using Google Earth. Just zoom-in as close as you can to the collecting site, place your mouse right on it, and the GPS coordinates will be right near the bottom of your screen ... can't miss it. Some of the images used in Google Earth are so good that you'll actually see the material when you zoom-in, or the holes that have been dug there! Hehehe or maybe the shovel that you lost there a long time ago.
Edit: Example ... N 99th Ave. and Hwy 10 coordinates are 33°27'42.61"N / 112°16'21.08"W.
Edit Edit: Ummm you're only like 25 miles from Rodney and Jamie! Dammit, now I'm just jealous!
Edit Edit Edit: BLOODY HELL ... you're only about 25 miles from Sheri, too!
Got a spare room for rent? LOL
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Post by sbreed on Jan 19, 2009 13:36:24 GMT -5
Lol MJ !! I have been collecting beautiful white and red banded south west of the Chimney Bed area. I saved the exact GPS coord the last time I went a few weeks ago. If you want them, I will share them. If you don't have access.......I can give you directions to the general area and you will have to hike around. The spot I have been collecting in is hard to give directions! Just let me know!! And whatever you do......DON'T get directions from Roxy! roflmao She couldn't find an Army Tank in a small Hay Stack! lmao Love ya Roxy! ;D Oh and there are more members in this area: Baz is in Flagstaff Beef is in the west area of Phoenix Rodney & Jamie are north west of Phoenix Roxy is north west of Phoenix I am east of Phoenix Stonesthatrock is about 10 miles further east from me and Freeform is north east of Stonesthatrock. Mr & Mrs Banjocreek are south of me! I think that is everyone  |
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Jan 19, 2009 15:27:31 GMT -5
Lol MJ !! I have been collecting beautiful white and red banded south west of the Chimney Bed area. I saved the exact GPS coord the last time I went a few weeks ago. If you want them, I will share them. If you don't have access.......I can give you directions to the general area and you will have to hike around. The spot I have been collecting in is hard to give directions! Just let me know!! [glow=red,2,300]And whatever you do......DON'T get directions from Roxy! roflmao She couldn't find an Army Tank in a small Hay Stack! lmao Love ya Roxy! ;D[/glow] Oh and there are more members in this area: Baz is in Flagstaff Beef is in the west area of Phoenix Rodney & Jamie are north west of Phoenix Roxy is north west of Phoenix I am east of Phoenix Stonesthatrock is about 10 miles further east from me and Freeform is north east of Stonesthatrock. Mr & Mrs Banjocreek are south of me! I think that is everyone :serious: yeah huh!... I just couldn't find Mesa in Arizona!  ... and even if i don't know how to use a compass or what W. B or S and N stand for.. or what direction i'm going.. or what side the sun comes up or goes down.. Doesn't mean I don't have fun getting there and getting back is so much better when Search and Rescue know you by name.. ;D jks LOL.. |
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kev6200
starting to shine!
Stupidity should be painful!!!!
Member since January 2009
Posts: 30
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Post by kev6200 on Jan 19, 2009 17:24:32 GMT -5
I do have a GPS, both hand held and in the car. That would be a great way to do it. I could set a waypoint at the car and hopefully they wouldn't find me wandering in the desert 2 days later.
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Post by mohs on Jan 19, 2009 23:48:14 GMT -5
I'm in Phoenix
so if any one finds me
I'll be Rock'n!!!! ;D
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Post by sbreed on Jan 20, 2009 9:02:42 GMT -5
Welcome Ed! You guys check out the new thread in the General Section and let me know if you are interested in a weekend rockhunt and I will organize one!
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Post by BAZ on Feb 18, 2009 18:14:57 GMT -5
Hey buddy!
Here is something from my old website bigarizona.com...
Saddle Mountain Fire Agate - Tonopah, AZ
West of Phoenix is Saddle Mountain. We have found loads of chalcedony with dark brown and orange in it indicating fire. Sure enough after bringing some home and doing a little cutting and polishing, there I had the precious fire agate.
Directions
This location is about 55 miles from Downtown Phoenix and around 8 miles outside of the town of Tonopah. From Phoenix take Interstate 10 west to Exit 94. Drive south on Ave. 411 for 2.7 miles then turn right on Salome Highway. At 5.1 miles turn left on Courthouse Rd. and a little over .5 miles there will be a few dirt turn ins that head towards Saddle Mountain. (the larger mountain to the south) Take one of the dirt roads towards Saddle Mountain. the end of the line will be apparent, with fire rings and some trailheads.
Fire Agate can be found all over Saddle Mountain and the lower lying areas.
The Site
I left Saddle Mountain very satisfied and with a full load of chalcedony. A lot of stones could be seen lying on the surface of the desert north of the parking area that were obviously of the fire variety. Honestly I collected more fire agate down here than up on Saddle Mountain, I think the prime spots have already been worked out up there but some beautiful specimens will surely rise up from this whole area after a hard rain.
I did venture up onto Saddle Mountain though, the north face that I was on contained some "unreachable" deposits of beautiful fire agate. Feeling mortal, I chose not to risk my life over rocks. I did find some amazing, museum quality crystal filled vugs along the face that could be pulled out with some chisels, hammers and hard work. I chose to leave them for the next patient guy knowing that I would probably break in a minute what took centuries to create. (and of course I left my camera in the truck)
I know with more time and venturing farther from the parking area Saddle Mountain would have turned up some prized specimens. But again, I left happy.
...I haven't been there in years but I think a few folks around here have.
BAZ
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aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
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Post by aunuts on Jun 20, 2009 15:30:07 GMT -5
Lol MJ !! Oh and there are more members in this area: Baz is in Flagstaff Beef is in the west area of Phoenix Rodney & Jamie are north west of Phoenix Roxy is north west of Phoenix I am east of Phoenix Stonesthatrock is about 10 miles further east from me and Freeform is north east of Stonesthatrock. Mr & Mrs Banjocreek are south of me! I think that is everyone Not quite everyone. We're in Quartzsite every winter (generally from October thru April). The Gem & Mineral Club there has collecting trips every week for different kinds of rocks. Also, during the PowWow, they have 2 different trips per day. Great hunting there. Jo |
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Jun 20, 2009 17:54:33 GMT -5
Agate along the river near Gila Bend. (Old back road)
Obsidian along dirt road west of Superior.
North of Globe all kinds of stuff.
Cotton Wood to Camp Verde lots of neat stuff.
If you pick up a copy of Arizona Gem Trails or similar book, there is a life time of prime hunting in your area.
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Post by mohs on Jun 20, 2009 18:43:50 GMT -5
I like Phoenix and I have some great river rock sites. The river rocks on the I-17 northbound access road between Bell & Union Hills as some good pick’ns. 19th Ave east on Pinnacle Peak road. There putting in a new road out there and much is dug out in that area due to the earth movers. (Thanks to sabre for cluing me in that these are good exploratory sites). I really don’t know what I’m doing, but I find what I think are some cool rocks.  This picture is of a canal irrigation gate that was built by Salt River Project (SRP). There all over town and this one is down the street from me. It’s not a great example. I plan on taking more pics of other ones around town. But this is SRP signature stone structure and you know your in Maricopa County, certainly Phoenix when you spot one. I’ve seen them for 50 years and the stone work makes a subtle impression. Anyway there very cool for an ugly irrigation gate and shows a classy touch by this now mega power company. |
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Jun 21, 2009 20:24:30 GMT -5
Woohoo! I'm glad this thread came up again. I'm flying to Phoenix to visit the bf for for the first couple of days in August. I can only hope it isn't an oven, and I can get him to take me to rockhound at least for an hour or so while I'm there...at least I have him thinking of an ATV in our future, although we'll be living here in CA, he'll still have family in Phoenix!
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Post by Michael John on Jun 22, 2009 2:58:07 GMT -5
I think you're going to have to load the truck up with camping gear without him seeing it, insist on driving, get "lost" on a desert road, stop to get out and stretch, and "accidentally lose" the keys for a couple days. "Tough love" LOL.
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megalotis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 226 
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Post by megalotis on Jul 5, 2009 2:17:30 GMT -5
Hi - have been lurking around the site trying to get educated for a while...this is my first post. I've only been rock-hounding and doing lapidary for about a year and a half now, so I'm green at this, but very enthusiastic!
I agree with Deeptime on the river rock thing, walk along any wash or streambed (most of which are dry in AZ!) and look over the rocks. I've found quite a bit of nice jasper, serpentine(?) and other, unidentified stuff. One of my favorite spots is the Gila riverbed not far from your home! Try down around Estrella parkway. I'm a sucker for green rocks, and most of the greenish ones that I pick up work up pretty well. The folks I do lapidary with at the Glendale adult center opine that some of 'em, anyway, might be serpentine. Some are probably epidotes. I'll have to post some pics of some of the unidentified stuff that I've been working up, if I can ever figure out how to take a decent picture!
Also, pretty easy to find and very productive is the seven springs onyx (travertine onyx) site above cave creek. There's quite a bit of jasper and some agate in that area, as well. Some spots are better than others. There's some decent jasper in the New River/Table mesa area, too. Some of it looks a lot like Brenda jasper, to my inexperienced eye.
There're really a lot of different rocks around here that get ignored, I think, by the average agate/jasper hound that still work up really nicely. I enjoy working on new things that I've found; sometimes I'm very pleasantly surprised (and sometimes disappointed - oh, well)!
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Post by mohs on Jul 5, 2009 13:16:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the board, megalotis! O taking those pictures are tricky point shoot and post tho!  & say 'hi' to my pals in Glendale I enjoyed my all to brief time grinding rocks there! Ed |
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I am brand new to the hobby and loaded my brand new Lortone 33B with the roughs that came with it. (I couldn't wait to get started). I now realized that I am in the middle of a great rockhounding location and that was sacrilege. Any of you Phoenicians or other hounds that trek out this way care to share some ideas as to where a neophyte such as I could get a decent haul to load up said Lortone 33B? I appreciate any and all help. Thanks much!
