Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
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Post by Roger on Jan 8, 2013 23:36:31 GMT -5
Hi all My son and I are going to do some caving in Carlsbad NM and Sonora TX. We also plan to hit Big Bend for a day or two. I know there are supposed to be areas with nice agate in Big Bend. Can anyone narrow down areas within Big Bend to look? I was also curious if there was anywhere near Carlsbad worth a look? I am not familiar with New Mexico at all. Appreciate any tips! Roger
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Jan 9, 2013 7:00:38 GMT -5
The Brewster county sheriff jumped my grass about picking up rocks on a desolate public road easement that i probably paid taxes on.They are strict,and really really do not like you collecting in Big Bend.Better to set up a trip to the Woodward Ranch and collect 'legally'.Google it and there are people in Alpine that will take you.You will find more there than in hours than a week in Big Bend.It is very pretty and looks like the same terrain.If you don't listen well,try the Rio Grande and don't get caught. Welcome to this forum.It is a cool group of folks.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Jan 9, 2013 7:30:19 GMT -5
Roger There is a rock collecter's hotel in Alpine.The owner's name is Terry i believe.That is a great place bto stay.If you can't find it on the net let me know.But that place is famous for taking field trips to several ranches in the area.Lot of the agate is at 4000 'altitude and higher.I was frustrated in west Texas cause the ranchers own all the land and apparently the sherriff.There is a hunting property about 30 miles south of Alpine where they are starting Big Horn Sheep.I drove to the dead end and walked a couple of miles at the base of that mountain in that public land.I walked over 2 dozen arrowheads and lots of chip debitage.Bet they all got picked up by now.Game wardens were every where.I did not touch a thing.
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Post by texaswoodie on Jan 9, 2013 7:59:11 GMT -5
There is a huge amount of trouble waiting for anyone that collects in Big Bend
Curt
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Jan 9, 2013 8:10:47 GMT -5
I believe you Curt.I left that place so fast and went to Falcon Resovior and was collecting on the public lake shore.Got 2 invites by ranchers to collect on their ranches-whenever i want.Shipped back 1500 pounds of great agate,wood and jasper.
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 9, 2013 8:52:43 GMT -5
All of the National Parks are that way. No rock collecting in any of them, period. At the entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park in AZ, they ask you if you have any rocks and will inspect them and mark your containers so you don't get in trouble for having rocks in the park.
You'll love Carlsbad. Always wanted to see Big Bend... maybe some day. Have an awesome time!! Jo
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Jan 9, 2013 9:31:47 GMT -5
I had no idea you couldn't collect loose rocks in the national parks/public land. I haven't been to one in..35+ years.
I know there are protected, sensitive and important sites in many of the parks and you cannot remove anything from those places. I didn't realize that it was restricted everywhere.
That is extremely disappointing. Thank you for the information though. I am glad to know now, rather than getting to the Park expecting to be able gather some rocks and then see something saying it is not allowed.
Thanks!
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 9, 2013 20:13:19 GMT -5
I've heard mixed reports on Terry's trips (like no more trips). Stillwell Ranch is pretty nice, cheap, and has fee collecting (50 cents/lb. when we were there). It is very close to one of the entrances to Big Bend Park. If you can contact Terry and she is still doing trips we went with her once and had a good time.
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Jan 11, 2013 10:32:44 GMT -5
I hear there is some nice serpentine in Carlsbad but I am not sure the exact area. If you look at a topo map, there is an area called serpentine bends. I figure that is where it is and if it is on BLM land you can collect there. Jason
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 12, 2013 8:46:01 GMT -5
National parks and monuments, most state parks are off limits to collecting. BLM administered public lands are open to hobby collecting. Most are technically restricted to surface collecting.
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jamesp
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Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Jan 13, 2013 0:35:15 GMT -5
Terry sent a batch e-mail about her hotel rates changing.Maybe some info on field trips,brain is giving out.Can not remember.I need to ask you about a small saw blade to cut small agates John.
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Jan 21, 2013 20:45:28 GMT -5
I got in touch with Teri. She sounds terrific! She does still take people out to some of the local ranches. My son and I are going to have to opportunity to go out with her for a day of hunting at one or two areas.
Thank you very much for the recommendation!!
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 21, 2013 21:09:58 GMT -5
She is a real sweet lady. The motel looks like fun too. Like a trip back to the past with small little cabin type rooms.
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Roger
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Member since January 2013
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Post by Roger on Feb 7, 2013 21:09:46 GMT -5
We went to Alpine & Woodward Ranch. We did stay at the Antelope Lodge, which was a lot more comfortable than it looked like it would be lol The people at the lodge were very nice & informative on the local area. We met Teri & went to a local ranch which was half in town. It was maybe a 10 minute drive from the lodge. We spent 4.5 hours hounding in her favorite area. It was pretty disappointing. We mostly found quartz, with some carnellians and a few pieces of jasper. The only rock with color was mustard yellow jasper. My son did find a nice double geode embedded in some basalt, which made him pretty happy. Teri was terrific and has an amazing knowledge of geology. We simply had poor luck with her. The usable material we found with her was ~10lbs & $80.00 all in for fees. We decided to go out on our own the next day. We headed to Woodward Ranch. There we met Connie, who works the store & camping area. Connie was wonderful and detailed out what to look for. "Biscuits" and "sausage" in reference to the shape of the material to look for. My son & I drove about a mile into the ranch, pulled off the trail, grabbed our gear and "dad..is that a biscuit under your foot?" Why, hello there! Yes son, that IS a biscuit. We hiked up into hills, away from the places closest to the roads. We spent roughly a half hour in one area and found a few small broken biscuits + the one nice one I had stepped on. My son was getting discouraged and decided to hike around while I continued to look. 10 minutes later he walked up and said he thought he found a good area. He had. He was also carrying this when he walked up. Over the next 1.5 hours we found a little under 40lbs of plume/fire agates/a few geodes with great color/beautiful jasper/quartz and more. We were told we had been very successful. There were others on the ranch also hunting agates. We were told most that weekend had found less than 5lbs over the course of their stays. At the Woodward ranch we hunted 4 hours and came away with about 40lbs of material at ~$120.00 all in. The costs are listed only for reference if anyone is interested in Alpine for hunting. The time spent with my son sharing the experience is completely priceless. I would do this again, even if I knew we would find nothing at all. I attached some photos of our finds after I washed them. In a few of the shots I had a tape down. In the others if you look close you may see the quarters I used for scale. Some of the "biscuits" are over a pound each. It was a terrific time and I have more material than I know what to do with ;D :help: I started working these several days ago. They were the least "crusty" of the lot. They are looking pretty good so far. I just hope I don't screw them up lol
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Feb 8, 2013 7:59:38 GMT -5
Sounds like you guys had a good visit Roger.I was lucky at Woodward maybe.Mrs.Woodward said a fellow had dug a hole to get flower garden agate over on her 'agate hill'.It had rained and washed some of what he threw to the side.I found that mustard stuff.Dug 20 pounds of some green and red agate.Then went back to the house and she sent me up the hill to the right of the house to pick up the little biscuits that had washed out of the hill in the road bed.Those little biscuits were a mistake-i didn't think they were worth pichuing up till i sawed some of them.I should have loaded up on them.And Flower Garden agate is not real.I was told that a lot of the agate on that farm was picked over.That the lava flow needed weathering to expose more biscuits.They are there,just not weathered out.It was back in the day when they found those biscuits when they were 2-6 inches in diameter.Full of some of the finest plumes.That place has a lot of different stuff,requires experience. I could have sat in a chair and looked at the scenery.Next time i will do better.If you go to south Texas PM me and i can put you on a great spot.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 8, 2013 12:06:41 GMT -5
Sorry you struck out with Teri. We made a day trip with her last year to a ranch south of Marfa. Brought home about 200 lbs. of material for $80. Stillwell is a good spot for golden moss agate; still 50 cents/pound.
Congrats on the biscuits and Woodward agate.
James: I went to the flower garden hole last spring and didn't find anything. The guy who dug it had filled in the hole and I couldn't find the seam. I was really disappointed because good flower garden is amazing.
Chuck
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Feb 8, 2013 14:02:00 GMT -5
We had a great time hunting once we really understood what we were looking for. My son already wants go try looking in some other areas. I may need to take you up on the South Texas spots. I do not know anywhere in the Austin area to look for rocks/minerals.
I emailed the local club and hope to hear something back from them. It would be nice to meet with some people with first-hand experience hounding, cutting & polishing.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Feb 8, 2013 16:59:38 GMT -5
I think the Houston Rock Club goes to Lake Falcon/Rio Grande area.May be better that way and get advice from them.The rocks are on the border and there may be issues at certain times.I feel they could give you up to date info.
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