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Post by christopherl1234 on Nov 29, 2012 13:05:05 GMT -5
I had the privileged of digging fire agate at the Opal Hill Mine this past weekend. Here are a few photos of my experience. You can see more of the photos here s397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/christopherlesso/OPAL%20HILL%20MINE/?start=allThe way out there Almost to the main mining area Nora explaining where to dig and how to find the good stuff!! A couple of new miners trying their luck Nora took me around the backside of this mountain where no one has been for a long time. We went up and over the top of this mountain A shot from the side of the mountain Over the top and on our way down to the bottom of a wash Float on the way Some found veins Some of the bounty Thanks for looking, Christopher
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Nov 29, 2012 13:41:59 GMT -5
sweet. is this location over in CA?
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 29, 2012 13:48:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the tag along Christopher. It's been many years since I hounded that area. Still have a pint jar full of fire in the basement. I love that last piece. Looks almost like sagenite on fire.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Nov 29, 2012 13:53:42 GMT -5
Very cool! That last piece rocks!
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on Nov 29, 2012 17:18:35 GMT -5
Glad you finally made it to Opal Hill Mine. Right down your alley.....hard rock mining! Pre rock hounding days, we use to camp right down the hill from that place. We can't wait to see how you finish those, especially that last one.
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Post by Rockhobbit on Nov 29, 2012 17:38:55 GMT -5
Wow! Nice pics, nice trip and nice haul!! Hope I can hound there one day!!
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,104
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Post by Thunder69 on Nov 29, 2012 17:51:46 GMT -5
That is awesome ...I want to do that myself one day...John
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 29, 2012 20:47:37 GMT -5
Opal hill mine is in CA between Palo Verde and the Wiley Well area. Easiest road is from Palo Verde but the scenic route is from the Wiley side. You did a lot better than the one time I tried there.
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Post by gingerkid on Nov 29, 2012 21:56:55 GMT -5
;D Enjoyed your pics, Christopher! Glad you finally made it to dig for those pretty fire agates. The ones you showed us are beautiful and the sagenitic piece takes the cake!!
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Post by christopherl1234 on Nov 30, 2012 0:12:39 GMT -5
The Palo Verde road is in bad shape right now. I am not sure if even a 4x4 can make it out there. Also if it wasn't for Nora fixing the road for a whole day, one would have been hard pressed to make it out there from the Wiley Wells side. I am going back out in January. I am thoroughly strung out on digging and cutting this material!! I just cannot get enough!!!
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jason12x12
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 798
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Post by jason12x12 on Nov 30, 2012 3:25:05 GMT -5
colors look hopeful
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2012 11:36:43 GMT -5
bad@ss!
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Post by Woodyrock on Dec 2, 2012 1:59:05 GMT -5
The road in from the Wiley Wells side is too tight for my big red truck, unless it has changed. It used to be a jeep road with tight jeep turns my truck would not get around. Kathy is ready to go back again after seeing these photographs. We dug on the 'hill' for a day a couple of years back...the other side of the hill looks pretty good digging. Woody
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Dec 2, 2012 17:08:50 GMT -5
Damn !!!!!!
Love that last pict. Frame it and keep it forever!
Nice find!
Lowell
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pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on Dec 2, 2012 17:11:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the great presentation Looks like you scored pretty well also
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Post by talkingstones on Dec 6, 2012 18:45:44 GMT -5
Seriously!?!?!?! We gotta talk...... LOL!
Cathy
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Post by christopherl1234 on Dec 6, 2012 18:48:44 GMT -5
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by paulshiroma on Dec 19, 2012 0:14:58 GMT -5
Awesome trip report, Christopher. Thanks for taking us along. I've always been curious about the mine. Beautiful haul. Paul
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Post by christopherl1234 on Dec 19, 2012 12:06:05 GMT -5
Paul, Are you going to go out to Quartzsite this year? If so maybe we can get together and go out there. I want to do more exploring in the surrounding hills. I found some promising float west of the claimed area I would like to check out.
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cherok
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2012
Posts: 66
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Post by cherok on Jan 2, 2013 18:34:20 GMT -5
Hi love the pictures. been to opal hill myself. if you would like to come along on a trip to opal hill take a minute and read They call it RockHounding, written by Cherdarock. What an experience. We too, are getting ready to back to Wiley Wells area the week of Jan 7. If anyone is interested in meeting up, send a pm. Would enjoy meeting some of the crazy people that love rocks as much as we do.
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