foreverbored16
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2008
Posts: 14
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Post by foreverbored16 on Apr 11, 2009 14:12:03 GMT -5
This June my family is planning a vacation to New Mexico, mostly for rock hunting and we were planning on staying in the Rockhound State Park, has anyone ever been there before and is there anything worth collecting there? Thanks  |
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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 Apr 11, 2009 20:16:43 GMT -5
Rockhounding there is ok but not good. Area has been picked over for a long time.
June will be killer hot out there. Other members can direct you to good hunting grounds.
We stopped there last June for about 3 hours, found a few keepers.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 11, 2009 20:57:08 GMT -5
I've camped there and hunted a bit too. Like Jeff says, there is some good stuff to be found but the area was real picked over even 20 years ago. The T-Eggs from the area are very plain as compared to those we used to dig down at the Baker ranch too....Mel
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foreverbored16
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2008
Posts: 14
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Post by foreverbored16 on Apr 11, 2009 22:04:20 GMT -5
Thats what a lot of the websites I looked at said. Are there any near by areas (anywhere from East Texas to Deming, New Mexico) that have good rock hunting?
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Apr 13, 2009 16:02:50 GMT -5
I'd probably go to Woodward Ranch if I was planning a trip in that area (TX,NM).
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foreverbored16
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2008
Posts: 14
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Post by foreverbored16 on Apr 13, 2009 19:35:46 GMT -5
We were definitely going to stop by Woodward on the way home but I think now we're going to spend most of our time there =) hopefully I'll know what to look for this time!
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Apr 14, 2009 23:44:12 GMT -5
Order the Gems Trails Of New Mexico book you can find it online.
Yes I would avoid going collecting in Deming unless a heavy rainstorm has passed by to wash up new rock. That place gets well picked out every day of the year. You will waste your time there. Also it is a very hot place to stay.
If you want to find some nice NM petrified wood, Jaspers and Agates try this site.
Belen, NM 40 miles south of Albuquerque. You will leave fully loaded.
In Belen NM take the Cammino Del Yanno exit from I 25 go west up the hill to the top of the mesa. You will pass a large limestone tile plant, then a airport, the road curves south. Take the first right it is marble quarry road. Take the dirt road west about 3 or so miles until the road starts to drop down to a lower flatland. Take the road at the crestline north a little because the main area there is well picked out. The petrified wood and agate are in the hills all along the slopes. In the aroyyo bottoms are great for larger pieces. Bring cold water it is hot, watch for snakes and if you see a thunderstorm rolling in, get out! Wear bright colors or just be careful sometimes people pratice shooting in the lower area. Oh dont go west of the Rio Puerco river it is Indian land.
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 14, 2009 23:46:56 GMT -5
You need to go to the geode kid's museum, he has his awesome baker geodes there and he will give you directions to his mine. he let us hunt out there for free. I have no idea if he normally charges or not. It wasn't too bad of a drive, but its hard to find, you literally drive through the desert, no road, just a path, and there's the dig site. It was awesome, tons of baker geodes and we still haven't cut half of them. Lots of agate around the area too. his website is www.zianet.com/GEODEKID/collecti.htm just drop him an email, he'll answer within a day or two and can give you directions to his museum. It was on the discovery show last year......the treasure one, there was information on discovery's site as well. We didn't go to the state park , but areas around it. Lots of areas around there. Do a search on this forum for new mexico and you will find lots of areas described here as well. Sandy |
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