unclem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Me
Member since August 2012
Posts: 119
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Post by unclem on Jun 1, 2013 10:13:14 GMT -5
Just some GPS ramblings. I purchased a GPS guide book from local rock shop. Not that I don't mind getting lost from time to time. But mostly on account of, most rock hounds are very tight lipped about sharing any information with the public. So as a general guide book to get me to these areas. I felt this was a good value, and have been creating a some maps of my own since. I usually try and do some cross referencing before I head out so as to optimize my ground time, and reduce my driving around lost time.  But after some ambiguous lat ~ longs and finding a disclaimer at from of book stating that the information was gathered from several different sources. I propose that using older data NAD 27 Conus, and mixing in some newer Nad 83, or WGS 84 (both are very close) that there is a difference of around 2 hundred yards. Though this is plenty close enuf for rock hounding. But has had me scratching my head once or twice.  But I always have a weather eye out for any new sources of GPS data? If any one has links to or information they would be willing to share {Mostly Wyoming} Or maybe there is a GPS library here that I am not aware of? |
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unclem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Me
Member since August 2012
Posts: 119
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Post by unclem on Jun 1, 2013 12:52:16 GMT -5
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herchenx
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jun 3, 2013 2:33:47 GMT -5
A couple things. First, I find using Google maps very helpful. I used to do GIS work for some of my consulting, but it's been long enough that I don't remember the formats - but whatever lat/lon format Google maps uses has been able to accept the coordinates other have given me and gotten me close. If you do play with Google maps, you can create your own maps if you have a Google account - look under "my places" if you are logged into Google Maps. The real advantage of this is you can do lots of armchair rockhounding (toggle between satellite and terrain view to get ideas of where you want to look) and then if you have an Android phone with GPS you can use the Google Maps app and log into your account to have access to the maps in the field - that you created while you were home. I do this to document where I've gone and what I've found, creating new maps for the different places I go. Often I'll start with coordinates someone has given me, create a map, use it in the field, then add my notes and share the map with the person who shared it with me so they have new and hopefully useful information, plus an interactive map if they like that. As far as sharing coordinates, I think there are a couple things I've found. Everyone seems to recognize (correctly) that places that are somewhat readily accessible, or have something of value, will be quickly overrun and picked clean if the general public finds out about them. As a result, people (myself included) are hesitant to share specific directions, particularly publicly, but even with PM requests I think that most folks are cautious. I've learned to be content with general directions and then to use Google Maps, Google search in general, paper maps and books, and then to just put in the time to go and look. For me, the looking, and occasionally finding, has become very worth the effort. I find that even if I am skunked for one thing I may find another. I always enjoy getting out though. Another online resource - particularly for Wyoming - is the Wyoming interactive State Land Access Information Application: onanypc.com/statelandaccess/This map is useful, although it is slow and if you have an older machine it may even overrun your system's ability to render the maps. It shows state and BLM land that you can access. For hounding this is really useful. As always you should know the rules and laws for collecting on public land (e.g. in Wyoming you can take up to 25# of pet wood a day, with a 250# limit per year for noncommercial purposes) As far as where to go, where are you in the state? I'm happy to give some general places to look, but I usually save the specific details for people who I go with in person (mostly on our local hounding club trips). I haven't explored very much yet (we've been a few places) but this might be useful for you: sites.google.com/site/wyomingrockhound/That site has enough general information that if you use the resources mentioned above you should be able to get into some nice rocks. I hope this helps. |
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jun 3, 2013 2:51:09 GMT -5
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unclem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Me
Member since August 2012
Posts: 119
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Post by unclem on Jun 3, 2013 17:18:54 GMT -5
Yes I have read some of his work. He tends to say there is potential for every thing. This creates a big stir and a lot of people get excited and stake claims all over his potential sites and make it impossible for any one else to go in and look around. he has a facebook page too.
Ok well thank You for the links. There is a lot of information to digest there. I will start going through it.
Right On!!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 6, 2013 12:00:49 GMT -5
I'm assuming you have the GPS guide book for Wyoming? Can't speak for that, but my sister bought the local version for me. I have to tell you, I'd be more concerned with the listed coordinates being wrong, than about the variations between NAD 27 Conus, Nad 83 or WGS 84. If you know what you are looking for, a couple hundred yards will get you in the right area to start looking. I haven't used it to find a lot of locations, but we used it in Arizona a couple years ago. The author was off by a mile on his coordinates. We ran into another couple looking for the same location, and after stopping where the book said to stop, and looking around a bit, we continued on down the road a piece. We were able to find the location by matching the scenery to a photo in an an old gem trails book. (The area is now located within a wildlife refuge, and picking up rocks there now is forbidden, so it's a moot point anyway - well, for this location.) You can get information off of Mindat, that's always a good resource. And instead of Google, I use ACME Mapper. You can switch back and forth between various type of maps (topo, satellite, street map, etc) with the push of a button. You can mark locations, and see distances between them. Try it, you'll like it! Jean |
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jun 6, 2013 13:05:24 GMT -5
Have you found mindat helpful? I read it a lot but never seem to find anything of practical use. I might just be approaching it wrong.
Any pointers?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 6, 2013 14:26:59 GMT -5
Hi John, it is geared more to minerals than rocks, but then some of the things you would be looking for are minerals. I'll try to step through this with you. Go to their home page Mindat. Click on Search pages (from the top menu), then search for minerals in a region. For mineral name, I'll type in tourmaline, and for region, California. I have it sort by alphebetical locality order. At this point, I would click on the name of a mine that is somewhere in the area that I'd like to visit. For simplicity, pick the first one, it's in Ramona (that's near me). Now click on Maps, then nearest localities. It will now list any other mines in the area, their distance and heading (closest listed first). You used to be able to see all the nearest locations "pinned" on a map, but it doesn't look like it does that anymore. But you can click on the name of any of the others listed, and get their coordinates. If you wanted to, you could go onto ACME Mapper, enter the coordinates, and make a map of them. I'm not saying that you should go into other people's mine, or jump their claims, but this would give you a general idea of where in the area a certain mineral could be found. There also used to be a site that listed all the claims in an area, but I think that's gone now. Anyway, a little bit of research and planning can save you a lot of time when you are out in the field. Happy hunting! Jean |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2013 16:42:49 GMT -5
RE Mindat.
The only issue I have had with Mindat is it lists all reported occurrences. Mindat does not differentiate between large cutting rough and small thumbnail specimens. That is if they say a given site has Myrickite and you go there you may find the myrickite is only found as specimens in larger rocks.
Also, if your target is say agates. To mindat that is just a chalcedony and they make zero mention of a specific locations agate apperanace. Agate is agate no matter what it looks like. While elementary will tell you about hundreds (or thousands) of different agates. Mindat does not.
Jean you are a rock star with online mapping references!!
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unclem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Me
Member since August 2012
Posts: 119
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Post by unclem on Jun 6, 2013 17:33:02 GMT -5
Thanks Jean I will try (Mindat) Being self taught can be a long process. Many thanks to all!
Yes Jean I used to use a site on a BLM web page and it had annual active claims map. But now that has been out sourced and some independent contractor wants you to pay for the same service.
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But after some ambiguous lat ~ longs and finding a disclaimer at from of book stating that the information was gathered from several different sources. I propose that using older data NAD 27 Conus, and mixing in some newer Nad 83, or WGS 84 (both are very close) that there is a difference of around 2 hundred yards. Though this is plenty close enuf for rock hounding. But has had me scratching my head once or twice. 
But I always have a weather eye out for any new sources of GPS data? If any one has links to or information they would be willing to share {Mostly Wyoming} Or maybe there is a GPS library here that I am not aware of? 
