Post by gem97845 on Oct 14, 2009 11:45:26 GMT -5
Just returned from six days of rockhounding and ATVing around Moab. We used the Gem Trails of Utah book as a starter for our trips, but soon found that there are numerous unrecorded sites in that part of Utah. In our ATV travels we just kept our eyes open and found several areas with good agate.
A couple of sites were immediately adjacent to roads and I would like to share those with anybody that is interested. Here are a few pictures of one agate bed that was totally awesome.
IMG]http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad354/gmiller_97845/IMG_1185.jpg[/IMG]
This site is very large and has a variety of colors and sizes. Lots of tumbler pieces and pieces up to soccer ball size. A lot of the bigger pieces are pretty fractured but there is some really good stuff out there waiting to be discovered.
This site is adjacent to a pretty good road that has been bladed. I think most any vehicle could get to this area. There is also pet wood in the hills behind the agate beds. A little climbing is required to get to the wood, but not too difficult.
This next site is off the main road and requires a high clearance vehicle to get to. The road isn't too bad but there are a couple of draws to cross and they are washed out a little. My 4x4 Ford had no problem getting there. We found this site by just stopping and looking around. Found a little pet wood and followed it up the hill and found several buried logs. Neat stuff!
IMG]http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad354/gmiller_97845/IMG_1194.jpg[/IMG]
A lot of this wood is pretty brittle and not good for tumbling or polishing but there is some that will take a polish. It's really neat to see these logs eroding out of the hillside!
Well we made it home with a truck that was weighted down pretty good and made a pile. Think the saw and tumbler will be working all winter long.
If anyone is interested in visiting these sites just send me a PM and I will get back to you with directions.
A couple of sites were immediately adjacent to roads and I would like to share those with anybody that is interested. Here are a few pictures of one agate bed that was totally awesome.
IMG]http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad354/gmiller_97845/IMG_1185.jpg[/IMG]
This site is very large and has a variety of colors and sizes. Lots of tumbler pieces and pieces up to soccer ball size. A lot of the bigger pieces are pretty fractured but there is some really good stuff out there waiting to be discovered.
This site is adjacent to a pretty good road that has been bladed. I think most any vehicle could get to this area. There is also pet wood in the hills behind the agate beds. A little climbing is required to get to the wood, but not too difficult.
This next site is off the main road and requires a high clearance vehicle to get to. The road isn't too bad but there are a couple of draws to cross and they are washed out a little. My 4x4 Ford had no problem getting there. We found this site by just stopping and looking around. Found a little pet wood and followed it up the hill and found several buried logs. Neat stuff!
IMG]http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad354/gmiller_97845/IMG_1194.jpg[/IMG]
A lot of this wood is pretty brittle and not good for tumbling or polishing but there is some that will take a polish. It's really neat to see these logs eroding out of the hillside!
Well we made it home with a truck that was weighted down pretty good and made a pile. Think the saw and tumbler will be working all winter long.
If anyone is interested in visiting these sites just send me a PM and I will get back to you with directions.
