stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 13, 2022 13:40:49 GMT -5
Hello RTH!
My wife and I are planning our annual anniversary trip and somehow or somewhere along the way I tricked my wife into taking rockhounding trips for the anniversary celebration. I don't know how it happened, but I also don't ask too many questions either.
We are talking about flying into Las Vegas at the end of May, renting a vehicle and heading up to Utah for some sight seeing and rock picking. I am asking for assistance on finding the best place to stay that will give us the best opportunity to see as much within a smaller area as possible. I guess we would like to have a good home base that we can have hiking, sightseeing and rocking out within 2-3 hr drive from the hotel/air bnb that we are staying at.
We will be staying in the area about a week.
Not sure if it would be better to see southern Utah and northern Arizona or just head to the heart of Utah...?
Thanks for any help and expertise with the area!
|
|
hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 475
|
Post by hypodactylus on Feb 13, 2022 15:52:46 GMT -5
I live in Northern Utah and still haven't visited very many rockhounding spots, especially in Southern Utah; life has a way of making time (and often money) scarce! People also like to keep secrets, so sometimes it can be hard to find good locations; unless you know the right people. Hopefully some of those people are here!
If you find yourself in Northwest Utah, I have found success at the well known and traveled area Northeast of Wendover, Utah. You can find lots of information and maps for it in Utah Rockhounding books and websites. I can also provide more detailed info, but it doesn't sound like you will be out that way.
Anyhow, sounds fun! I hope you get some better responses than mine.
|
|
stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 14, 2022 9:56:31 GMT -5
I live in Northern Utah and still haven't visited very many rockhounding spots, especially in Southern Utah; life has a way of making time (and often money) scarce! People also like to keep secrets, so sometimes it can be hard to find good locations; unless you know the right people. Hopefully some of those people are here! If you find yourself in Northwest Utah, I have found success at the well known and traveled area Northeast of Wendover, Utah. You can find lots of information and maps for it in Utah Rockhounding books and websites. I can also provide more detailed info, but it doesn't sound like you will be out that way. Anyhow, sounds fun! I hope you get some better responses than mine. Yeah, knowing the right people helps the most when finding the sweet spots for some nice rocks... and I also hope those people are here.  I appreciate the offer and if we end up going further north, I will take you up on that information for sure. By looking at the Utah rockhounding maps, it looks like there should be some good rockhounding in the northern area of Utah as well. Maybe something within driving distance for you? www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&dg=feature&mid=1u68C4Yn5MDqdj2ojV5hV9bmX4Fs&ll=39.02392449116747%2C-110.94582569865558&z=7The map is useful, I just don't know how to interpret if theres an abundance or a trace of rocks/fossils there and if there's some beautiful land items to look at as well. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it! |
|
Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,936
|
Post by Tommy on Feb 14, 2022 13:51:11 GMT -5
Hello RTH! My wife and I are planning our annual anniversary trip and somehow or somewhere along the way I tricked my wife into taking rockhounding trips for the anniversary celebration. I don't know how it happened, but I also don't ask too many questions either. We are talking about flying into Las Vegas at the end of May, renting a vehicle and heading up to Utah for some sight seeing and rock picking. I am asking for assistance on finding the best place to stay that will give us the best opportunity to see as much within a smaller area as possible. I guess we would like to have a good home base that we can have hiking, sightseeing and rocking out within 2-3 hr drive from the hotel/air bnb that we are staying at. We will be staying in the area about a week. Not sure if it would be better to see southern Utah and northern Arizona or just head to the heart of Utah...? Thanks for any help and expertise with the area! In my limited experience with the area I would recommend staying in Cedar City and branching out from there. From there you can venture up to Cedar Breaks Nat. for a nice hike and oh btw, you'll do directly past the agate collecting area at Brian Head which is quite an experience even if the agate ain't all that from a cabochon making standpoint. I did a write-up on it here...Also from Cedar City you can reach other area with day trips - Bryce Canyon, Zion, as well as several really cool rock shops in those respective areas. |
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,595 
|
Post by RWA3006 on Feb 14, 2022 14:07:11 GMT -5
Hello RTH! My wife and I are planning our annual anniversary trip and somehow or somewhere along the way I tricked my wife into taking rockhounding trips for the anniversary celebration. I don't know how it happened, but I also don't ask too many questions either. We are talking about flying into Las Vegas at the end of May, renting a vehicle and heading up to Utah for some sight seeing and rock picking. I am asking for assistance on finding the best place to stay that will give us the best opportunity to see as much within a smaller area as possible. I guess we would like to have a good home base that we can have hiking, sightseeing and rocking out within 2-3 hr drive from the hotel/air bnb that we are staying at. We will be staying in the area about a week. Not sure if it would be better to see southern Utah and northern Arizona or just head to the heart of Utah...? Thanks for any help and expertise with the area! In my limited experience with the area I would recommend staying in Cedar City and branching out from there. From there you can venture up to Cedar Breaks Nat. for a nice hike and oh btw, you'll do directly past the agate collecting area at Brian Head which is quite an experience even if the agate ain't all that from a cabochon making standpoint. I did a write-up on it here...Also from Cedar City you can reach other area with day trips - Bryce Canyon, Zion, as well as several really cool rock shops in those respective areas. I second this idea because the temperatures will be more bearable and it will put you at ground zero for a lot of really good hunting. zarguy Win and 1dave are located in or near Cedar City and would probably get you aimed at the right places. Accommodations in CC are usually abundant and affordable. Take you wife to Rusty's, a nice restaurant a couple miles up the canyon East of the city. A drive up the canyon East toward Bryce and Brian Head is mandatory too. You'll want to make a plan to box up some rocks and mail them back home too. |
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,595
|
Post by RWA3006 on Feb 14, 2022 14:12:10 GMT -5
I'd also recommend you select a 4X4 high clearance vehicle for the rental.
|
|
hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 475
|
Post by hypodactylus on Feb 14, 2022 16:12:38 GMT -5
I have rock-hounded a decent area near Cedar City, if you find yourself around there. The rock I found had some interesting colors and some of it had dendrites. While I think I found some good stuff, much of the material is either highly weathered, highly pitted, or both. I honestly haven't worked much of it yet. These are the resources I used to find it: - Cary Peterson - YouTube- Rockhounds Anonymous- Rockhounding Utah ( separate link: Map) Something to consider. This image shows a sample of what I found:  |
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Feb 14, 2022 17:53:50 GMT -5
|
|
zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by zarguy on Feb 14, 2022 22:17:00 GMT -5
stewdogg I live in Cedar City. I can direct you to an agate field that will put a smile on your face! You'll be like a kid in a candy store. Depending on the day and my schedule, I can take you there & show you where to look, or I may stay & hang out with you. I have another secret spot I may take you to if you're nice (& buy me lunch!). Lynn
|
|
|
|
Post by RickB on Feb 15, 2022 6:45:56 GMT -5
stewdogg . I have another secret spot I may take you to if you're nice (& buy me lunch!). Lynn Very generous offer. I usually make them wear a blindfold in addition to lunch.  |
|
Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 337
|
Post by Win on Feb 15, 2022 9:46:09 GMT -5
I think I need to hook up with Lynn, too! If you want to see Zion, I'd suggest you stay in Springdale, right outside the park. It's just too far from Cedar to get a full day or two in. I'm far from a collecting expert, kinda stumble around. In the Zion area there is some petrified wood, not the AZ colorful kind but tan/brown. This wood polishes nicely really looks like wood, that pleases a lot of folks. If you have a high clearance, I can direct or take you to some collecting about 1/2 hour from Springdale. Another food tip - Centro Pizza in Cedar City is very good, we go up there quite a bit, there is Artisan's Gallery right up the street, some local artists, including me.  Local PW polished:  |
|
stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 15, 2022 10:23:05 GMT -5
In my limited experience with the area I would recommend staying in Cedar City and branching out from there. From there you can venture up to Cedar Breaks Nat. for a nice hike and oh btw, you'll do directly past the agate collecting area at Brian Head which is quite an experience even if the agate ain't all that from a cabochon making standpoint. I did a write-up on it here...Also from Cedar City you can reach other area with day trips - Bryce Canyon, Zion, as well as several really cool rock shops in those respective areas. Thanks for the suggestion, it sounds exactly like the kind of place I am looking for! That's a great write up on the Brian Head trip and gives a great idea of the area. That a good point on the elevation, hike and trying to shed some winter weight, which I am always trying to do all throughout the year. Thanks again, Tommy!! RWA3006"I second this idea because the temperatures will be more bearable and it will put you at ground zero for a lot of really good hunting. zarguy Win and 1dave are located in or near Cedar City and would probably get you aimed at the right places. Accommodations in CC are usually abundant and affordable. Take you wife to Rusty's, a nice restaurant a couple miles up the canyon East of the city. A drive up the canyon East toward Bryce and Brian Head is mandatory too. You'll want to make a plan to box up some rocks and mail them back home too." "I'd also recommend you select a 4X4 high clearance vehicle for the rental." Hello Randy, thanks for the tips on both the dinner spot (I need all the points I can on an anniversary trip) and for the vehicle rental! hypodactylusThanks for the sample of material from that area and the resources to check the area out. Even though it doesn't seem like the best material out there, I would still take some home as well... it looks cool from here. 1daveI first thought the link to the Zar card game was a joke and then quickly realized that Lynn invented and made the game...? Now I'll have to pick it up and add it to my game shelf. Thanks! |
|
stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 15, 2022 10:30:25 GMT -5
stewdogg I live in Cedar City. I can direct you to an agate field that will put a smile on your face! You'll be like a kid in a candy store. Depending on the day and my schedule, I can take you there & show you where to look, or I may stay & hang out with you. I have another secret spot I may take you to if you're nice (& buy me lunch!). Lynn It doesn't take much to put a smile on my face, but an agate field sound like it might easily do it! Does the secret spot get more secret if I buy you desert and a drink too, maybe upgrade to dinner... I really appreciate the offer of help and hospitality! I will keep in touch via PM, if you don't mind? |
|
stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 15, 2022 10:33:12 GMT -5
stewdogg . I have another secret spot I may take you to if you're nice (& buy me lunch!). Lynn Very generous offer. I usually make them wear a blindfold in addition to lunch.  Haha, no blindfold needed, this steel trap of a brain is the only blindfold you'll need. Now, blindfold me during lunch and we might have some entertainment. |
|
stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 15, 2022 10:45:43 GMT -5
I think I need to hook up with Lynn, too! If you want to see Zion, I'd suggest you stay in Springdale, right outside the park. It's just too far from Cedar to get a full day or two in. I'm far from a collecting expert, kinda stumble around. In the Zion area there is some petrified wood, not the AZ colorful kind but tan/brown. This wood polishes nicely really looks like wood, that pleases a lot of folks. If you have a high clearance, I can direct or take you to some collecting about 1/2 hour from Springdale. Another food tip - Centro Pizza in Cedar City is very good, we go up there quite a bit, there is Artisan's Gallery right up the street, some local artists, including me. Haha, I though I had it all figured out with the Cedar City trip... Now, my wife is suggesting we spend half the week in two different spots. We will have to look into it a bit and figure out what we really want to see and fit in in this trip. Maybe I'll see where you're at with your time as we get closer to the trip and see if you want to go look for some of that petrified wood. Maybe we should both plan a meet up with Lynn at that time...? What is the name of the Artisan Gallery up the street? Is it rocks that you have displayed or a different type of art? We will definitely have to swing by there and check it out after some pizza. Thanks for the suggestions and information, very kind of you to help! |
|
Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 337
|
Post by Win on Feb 15, 2022 11:33:48 GMT -5
I think I need to hook up with Lynn, too! If you want to see Zion, I'd suggest you stay in Springdale, right outside the park. It's just too far from Cedar to get a full day or two in. I'm far from a collecting expert, kinda stumble around. In the Zion area there is some petrified wood, not the AZ colorful kind but tan/brown. This wood polishes nicely really looks like wood, that pleases a lot of folks. If you have a high clearance, I can direct or take you to some collecting about 1/2 hour from Springdale. Another food tip - Centro Pizza in Cedar City is very good, we go up there quite a bit, there is Artisan's Gallery right up the street, some local artists, including me. Haha, I though I had it all figured out with the Cedar City trip...  Now, my wife is suggesting we spend half the week in two different spots. We will have to look into it a bit and figure out what we really want to see and fit in in this trip. Maybe I'll see where you're at with your time as we get closer to the trip and see if you want to go look for some of that petrified wood. Maybe we should both plan a meet up with Lynn at that time...? What is the name of the Artisan Gallery up the street? Is it rocks that you have displayed or a different type of art? We will definitely have to swing by there and check it out after some pizza. Thanks for the suggestions and information, very kind of you to help! I think you'll want to split the locations, the parks deserve a good look. Bryce is best if you do one night and catch sunset and sunrise, it's really special. Zion has several parts to it, the Main scenic drive, the East Side, the Kolob Canyons and the Kolob Terrace. Most people will spend a day or two in the Main Canyon hiking the Narrows, Scout's Lookout/Angels Landing, Emerald Pools etc. The East side is great for exploring on slickrock, many options with Canyon Overlook the only constructed trail. Here's a link to the best website for info: www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/The Gallery in Cedar is Artisan's Gallery, a non profit that has a mix of art. I have some photo note cards and some photos on metal. Let me know your timing and we'll see what we can work out. Lynn has exceptional cabs, I think he still displays at the DeZion Gallery in Springdale. |
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,936
|
Post by Tommy on Feb 15, 2022 11:35:26 GMT -5
It doesn't take much to put a smile on my face, but an agate field sound like it might easily do it! I have looked into my crystal ball and I foresee some Cosmo agate in your near future   Lordy, this makes me want to plan another trip to Utah |
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Feb 15, 2022 13:02:32 GMT -5
Warning - We might make you wear mittens so you can't get a hold of the GOOD STUFF. You may want to make a brief stop at Washington if you like Scenic Sandstone.   I just took a Google earth look at the location. It looks like they built some apartments there. Can you still collect in the area? Old View -  New look and how to get there -  And you may want to add Silver Reef to your trip - An amazing place where a down on his luck miner/assayer rented a room for the winter. Wandering around he saw some black stuff eroding out of the sandstone - tested it - 75% SILVER! forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/1028361/thread  |
|
Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 337
|
Post by Win on Feb 15, 2022 21:09:35 GMT -5
1dave you wouldn't believe the construction at that intersection. I never collected there but now access has would sure be difficult. I do go around Silver Reef with my Jeep but don't know about any areas to collect. The museum is worth a stop, though.
|
|
stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
|
Post by stewdogg on Feb 15, 2022 22:51:02 GMT -5
Quick question... what type of 4x4 need is there? Would a little Jeep Compass work or would it need more clearance and substantial 4wd system? LOL, 1dave I have been working on my hand dexterity as a mechanic for the last 25 years, I'll take the mitten challenge... do I still get my hammer? Win , thanks for the suggestion. We are currently looking for a second place to stay and trying to decide if we want to get to know one place or have the adventure of two places. Tommy , that cosmos agate looks awesome! Do you have a pic of that crystal ball? |
|
I just took a Google earth look at the location. It looks like they built some apartments there.
