sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119 
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Post by sford13 on Sept 16, 2009 8:24:55 GMT -5
Hi totally new to this hobby. Just got my Lortone 33B tumbler yesterday. Am located in west central Illinois and looking for some places to do some rock and mineral collecting in hope of keeping my tumbler going for some time to come. Was wondering if anyone had information on just where one can legally collect rock and minerals in my area. Keep in mind I am a newbie so not necessarily looking for the rarest of finds yet.
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Post by kap on Sept 16, 2009 21:08:18 GMT -5
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Brad
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 161
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Post by Brad on Sept 18, 2009 23:57:15 GMT -5
Near me in St. Louis? Chain of Rocks gravel bar is great when the river is low (like now). St. Louis Mineral & Gem Society, of which I'm a member, does some good field trips. Gotta run. More details later if you're interested...
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Brad
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 161
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Post by Brad on Sept 21, 2009 22:25:40 GMT -5
The Chain of Rocks gravel bar is on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis. When it is accessible, it is an excellent place to find rock for tumbling. Most of the rocks have already been broken into a good size and rounded by the river. I and others have written about it before on this board and posted pictures of the area & of rocks we have found there. Getting there is easy. Go to the intersection of I-270 and Illinois 3. Go south on Ill-3 a short distance (less than a quarter mile) and turn right (west) on West Chain of Rocks Road. (I'm not sure that there is a name on any street sign. It is at a stop light.) After a half mile or so, you'll cross a one-lane bridge over the barge canal onto Chouteau Island. After another mile or so, you'll be close to the Illinois end of the old Chain of Rocks bridge (it is now open only to pedestrians) Bear left there and continue about another half mile. You'll still be on W. Chain of Rocks Rd. The road dead ends into a parking lot. Walk out the south end of the parking lot and down a little hill onto the gravel bar. This site: mvs-wc.mvs.usace.army.mil/dresriv.htmlwill tell you how high the river is expected to be. If the level for St. Louis (about the 12th line) is below about 9 ft., you should be able to get to the gravel bar. If it is higher, you might have to wade a short distance or the whole thing might be underwater. If the weather is nice, there will be others around, mostly fishing. mostly towards the north end. |
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Post by tandl on Sept 24, 2009 11:35:57 GMT -5
We are in extreme east central Illinois . I suggest looking in the rivers and streams . Ted
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Brad
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 161
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Post by Brad on Sept 25, 2009 20:16:49 GMT -5
I went to the COR gravel bar today. Here are some updates to my directions:
1. There is a street sign for "Chain of Rocks Road".
2. Be patient @ the one-lane bridge & stop behind the line. It is a fairly long, arching bridge, so you may not be able to see traffic coming towards you from the stop light. If you stop past the line, the sensors may not detect your car.
3. As you approach the old COR bridge, you'll need to take a left turn onto a gravel road. There is a gate just past the turn, but it will probably be open. If you miss this turn, you'll go into a parking lot next to the bridge. Just turn around, go back a short distance, & turn right down the gravel road.
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jero
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 11
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Post by jero on Sept 29, 2009 23:46:16 GMT -5
I went to the COR gravel bar Sep. 19th for the first time. It was great! Picked up enough for a couple tumblers full.  But I don't know what some are.  That's always a challenge! LOL Here are some pics> public.fotki.com/jero/mississippi-river/Later, jero |
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Post by roswelljero on Oct 16, 2009 18:18:30 GMT -5
 I remembered something! LOL... I've heard that a variety of minerals can be found in moraines, even diamonds... I've never had the chance to look myself. ... There's a big one up by you... You'd probably have to find a place where a stream cut through it to get to the rocks. End Moraines—the End of the Glacial Ride > www.isgs.uiuc.edu/maps-data-pub/publications/geobits/geobit2.shtmlLater, jeri aka jero
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But I don't know what some are. 
That's always a challenge! LOL
I remembered something! LOL... I've heard that a variety of minerals can be found in moraines, even diamonds... I've never had the chance to look myself. 
