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Post by rockhoundingwithkids on May 9, 2021 14:58:39 GMT -5
We live in the Central Valley near modesto with 2 small kids and wondering if anyone has suggestions for locations that not only have good rock hounding opportunities but also where we could stay in a cabin? Other than heading into Nevada on the 80 and the 50 we have zero experience with the areas as north as Chico. Really don't want to go much further north than that right now with the kids. The only place I have ear marked as a "Would Like to visit" is Foreman Creek for crytals but if anyone has any suggestions would love to hear about it.
Adding this in for some background - we've been all over mariposa, chowchilla.... chiastolite, quartz, mariposite, garnets, gold, domurterite we have the 2 hour radius from the house just about down and we do lots of traveling to Nevada when the pass opens. We've been as far north as Bodega Bay but only along the coast. I have a few things marked for the OR/CA border but it's just too far with the kids right now.
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,936
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Post by Tommy on May 10, 2021 8:30:42 GMT -5
The first place that comes to mind whenever anyone asks about N.CA is the Black Butte Reservoir/Stoney Creek/Burris Creek area. It's kind of a vast collection area though basically stretching from Stonyford to Orland. The problem with the staying nearby idea is there is not a whole lot of options unless you wish to camp and the best camping options are the two campgrounds at the lake if and when they reopen. That being said I've never looked for a cabin in the area - we day trip it from Napa - so I may be misleading you on that point.
The other "hotspot" if you can call it that is up around Alturas and down to Susanville - and it's up in the pines mostly so you'd have a lot higher likelihood of finding a cabin. That's quite a lot further north of Chico though.
Edited: I removed the mistaken Plumas County part.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,490
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Post by Sabre52 on May 10, 2021 10:18:39 GMT -5
If you want something pretty close to home, a nice day trip is to be had in Mariposa County. Take White rock Road about two to three miles NE of Westfall RD junction. The site is near where there will be two small ponds about a mile apart on the left side going up the road. The good dirt road cuts through a huge bed of Chiastolite crystals. White crystal sections with black crosses are all over the road bed. Just keep checking the road as you go up. Easy to find as the deposit is about 1/4 mile long. Whole crystals are sometimes found up to 2-3 inches long, 3/4 inch in diameter. Most are just crystal sections. Exteriors with sparkly pyrite. Motels in Mariposa, which also has the State Mineral museum which is well worth a visit too.
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Post by rockhoundingwithkids on May 10, 2021 13:02:57 GMT -5
If you want something pretty close to home, a nice day trip is to be had in Mariposa County. Take White rock Road about two to three miles NE of Westfall RD junction. The site is near where there will be two small ponds about a mile apart on the left side going up the road. The good dirt road cuts through a huge bed of Chiastolite crystals. White crystal sections with black crosses are all over the road bed. Just keep checking the road as you go up. Easy to find as the deposit is about 1/4 mile long. Whole crystals are sometimes found up to 2-3 inches long, 3/4 inch in diameter. Most are just crystal sections. Exteriors with sparkly pyrite. Motels in Mariposa, which also has the State Mineral museum which is well worth a visit too. Thanks we've been all over mariposa, chowchilla.... chiastolite, quartz, mariposite, garnets, gold, domurterite we have the 2 hour radius from the house just about down and we do lots of traveling to Nevada when the pass opens. We've been as far north as Bodega Bay but only along the coast. I have a few things marked for the OR/CA border but it's just too far with the kids right now. |
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Post by rockhoundingwithkids on May 10, 2021 13:13:02 GMT -5
The first place that comes to mind whenever anyone asks about N.CA is the Black Butte Reservoir/Stoney Creek/Burris Creek area. It's kind of a vast collection area though basically stretching from Stonyford to Orland. The problem with the staying nearby idea is there is not a whole lot of options unless you wish to camp and the best camping options are the two campgrounds at the lake if and when they reopen. That being said I've never looked for a cabin in the area - we day trip it from Napa - so I may be misleading you on that point. The other "hotspot" if you can call it that is up around Alturas and down to Susanville - and it's up in the pines mostly so you'd have a lot higher likelihood of finding a cabin. That's quite a lot further north of Chico though. Edited: I removed the mistaken Plumas County part. Thanks Tommy those first creek areas I think are where we want to explore. Maybe finding a great place to stay will be my priority and go from there for our first trip  My youngest is definitely not ready for camping... rather, no way in hell am I camping with him... hoping to get a class B cheap in the next couple of years and then that will change our options. He'd be one of the many kids I've seen in the news lately - lost in the woods for days because he escaped. Finishing up my semester this week so I'll have more time to devote to the maps, threads and books. Ready to just close my eyes and point to a spot. I know its pretty up there. It's already getting hot here so maybe we can at least escape the heat a few days. |
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Post by stephan on May 10, 2021 18:56:11 GMT -5
Trinidad! You'd be near Agate Beach (Patrick's Point), Dry Lagoon (agates for both) and Trinidad Beach (jasper). From there, you'd also be able to have a day trip into Mendocino County: Fossils at Miner's Point, jade in the Eel River, agates and jasper at Caspar Cove and Point Arena. That's for starters.
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