It is situated off Interstate 10 and Wileys Well Road South, approximately one hour to the south of Blythe on both paved and rough terrain. Add to Cart. Wikidata ID. This particular place youll just be searching and picking at loose sediment, mostly. There is a cleared parking area with some fire rings. You could get fortunate and come across a lovely specimen on the surface while wandering about. No facilities are present in this area, and snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads. Further research through the BLM resource would be helpful. OHVs and aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the trail. The area has been scoured numerous times over the years, so be on the lookout for that hidden treasure, which is best discovered after a recent storm. The trail can be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is not too difficult to navigate. $435,000 Last Sold Price. Hey there! The fire agate that you can find in Saddle Mountains features rare quality and will fit perfectly into your . Sami Fine Jewelry offers Amethyst Mine Tours on a regular basis, allowing guests to get up close and personal with the Arizona Four Peaks Amethyst. Other locations include Saddle Mountain near Phoenix and the Day Ranch between Bowie and Duncan. 915 Walla Walla Avenue The recreation area is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. On public property, you do not collect historical objects like pottery, rock art, or arrowheads, or vertebrate fossils like dinosaurs, mammals, or fish. Overall, this trail is extremely scenic and can be the basis for a great day or weekend trip. This scenic area is also considered one of the best by valley rockhounders. Agate Semiprecious Silica Mineral. Agates can be found on the beaches of oceans and lakes, along road cuts, and in areas with exposed gravel. Participants will look for fossils along the walls of the Ice House, learn about Arizona Red stone, explore the depths of the Grand Canyon at Heritage Square, and see elegant rock etchings, among other things. I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago . Let's take a little trip to the far west valley for some fun around Saddle Mountain, an area of ancient volcanic activity that was last active approximately 66 million years ago. 54 Cuesta Fire Agate 188. When rockhounding in the wilderness, you should try to be fully equipped: pick and shovel to dig the hole, a hammer to break the rocks, and some buckets, as well as the usual desert necessities, such as plenty of water, food, a first-aid kit, mobile phone maps, and anything else you feel necessary that doesnt add too much weight. 68. I want this! A three-mile trail leads from the parking lot at the base of Saddle Mountain, to the forest fire lookout at the summit. when you come out to the Mine, you go to the claims and you can dig to your hearts content. You can start or contribute to your rock array by visiting any of these fantastic rock hunting locations. You got me on the rocks, plus my fav Roy will be coming, so I need to attend, if you don't mind signing me up please! Click the image for driving directions and a KML file. There are roughly two dozen spots in the area that are prone to washouts. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. The top exposed layer of Columbia River Basalt Group basalt in the Saddle Mountains is the Saddle Mountain Basalt, which ranges from 120 - 240 meters (400 - 800 feet) in thickness and is interspersed by sedimentary layers of the Ellensburg Formation. There are also some larger deposits for those who have the tools and patience to remove them without damage. While many of these sites are on National Forest land, several (particularly the mines) are potentially private property, so do your investigation and get approval before venturing on any property forrockhounding near Phoenix. Amboy DAG Marble Mountain Rock collecting area Chief Mountain However, be cautious when exploring this region because it is densely covered in cholla cacti. Rockhunters will find roughing it is worth the effort for claiming the rare and unique fire agate. Also, If you do look around Saddle Mountain, you may have more luck near the southern side of the mountain. It has incredible views of the Stuart Range from the fire lookout which is usually open for visitors. Because of it's elusiveness, it's highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors and rockhounders. No Interest if paid in full in 6 mo on $99+Opens in a new window or tab* No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on $99+. Neptune Mine close to Grays Spring Fluorite, Coronado Trail ( Old Mines) Turquoise and Chrysocolla, Three-Way drive-in theater Chalcedony and Fire Agate, Mule Creek Road (everywhere) Geodes and Chalcedony, York Region Banded and Fire Agate, Jasper and Carnelian, Sunset Peak(Foot of the hills) Blue and Black Jasper and Agate, Canyon to N of road one mi. Its even better if youre an amateur rock collector because youre always guaranteed to collect a few gems, even along some roadways. (20+ Dig Sites Across The State), Where To Find Desert Rose Rocks in Arizona, Where To Find Obsidian In The Arizona Desert, Where to Find Oregon Agates (Tips and Locations), Rockhounding In New Mexico! It is a beautiful area where hiking and picnicking are also available. Rockhounding Saddle Mountain - Fire Agate. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. The fire agate from Deer Creek Arizona ranks high on the list of desired collected gemstones, mineral specimens, and lapidary gemstone cutting material. Although the miners take an all-terrain vehicle across the mountains then a strenuous walk, pre-arranged tours are only allowed into the mine a few times a year. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. An official website of the United States government. SanDomingo Wash Placer gold The elevation is 2,799 feet, with the primary mineral being sand and gravel and the tertiary being platinum. Found in the Saddle Mountain area of Arizona, this agate boasts stunning colors and patterns, along with a fiery iridescence that sets it apart from other agates. The area is rough, with no major facilities. Its a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. Mineral specimens such as Fluorite, Agate, Garnet, and Jasper can be found in excellent condition. 14mm Magenta Stripes Agate Round Beads 14.5" Strand. 1 star. The Oatman area is located between the towns of Oatman and Yucca. Laws are updated. This is especially important if you are going to be picking around rocks, as you may end up with cuts on your hands or arms. Or Compound? Horseshoe . Rockhounding Arizona Location: 9049 Oatman Rd (Old Route 66), Golden Valley, AZ 86413. The Weaver mining district was established the following year as additional sediments were discovered further down the Colorado River. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Powered by. Laws are updated. Contact BLM for petrified wood collection limits. Clifton, Arizona, is a little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the New Mexico border with promising rockhounding prospects. Speaking ofwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter the area around this city in western Arizona. These areas are often rich in rocks and minerals. SOLD FEB 13, 2023. From Phoenix take I-10 west towards Tonopah. If you are looking for a great place to go rockhounding, look no further than Saddle Mountain, which is just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. The gold can be found around a wide region and in many locations. (232) $135.15. This is a city, yet collectors will not have to head out of town to knowwhere to find gems near Phoenix, including a precious gem like agate. Red Cloud Mine Area 166. Gemstones, mineral samples, and lapidary fire agate rough. Lake Superior agate - best locations. Directions: The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. Member since April 2012 Posts: 1,931. If you like to have a physical book in hand (like when theres no cell service), heres a few popular options: Rockhounding Arizona: A Guide To 75 Of The States Best Rockhounding Sites, Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem and Mineral Guide. A passenger car should be able to handle it. The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoint) of Saddle Mountain are 33.4333729 (North), -113.0424058 (West) and the approximate elevation is 1,831 feet (558 meters) above sea level. Duration. Turtle Mountain road off of Highway 95 provides access to this area. A commercial amethyst mine is located in the famous Four Peaks of the most rugged portion of the Mazatzal Mountains, about forty minutes north of Phoenix, Arizona. Saddle Mountain's distinctive size and shape make it the predominant landform on the . ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth If you ask around in your neighborhood, you may be able to learn about some potential search sites. There is a short hiking trail that leads to the top of the mountain, where you can get a panoramic view of the area. 62. I have wanted to hunt this for a while, just have not had enough time. Saddle Mountain, Arizona, Fire Agate Mineral Location Page: This popular outdoor recreation and fire agate rockhounding area is located outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Now is your chance to own 40 acres of land! These locations follow a geographic territory known as the Transition Zone, where the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Province meet. This trail passes through remote areas, so you need to be prepared. 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The Black Hills Rockhound Area is one of the BLM designated sites for collecting minerals and gems, including fire agate. Lelande Quick La Jolla . If you want to know where to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. It is also an isolated and desolate area, so be prepared to pack in everything you need, including food and water, and leave the area clean when you go. (source). Saddle Mountain is comprised of mid-Tertiary volcanic deposits ranging from basalt or basaltic lava flows and cinders to . In the U.S., agates are most commonly found along the shores of the Great Lakes, the beaches of the Pacific Coast, and in the deserts of many western states. Detailed description: How to get there is as follows: From Phoenix, Arizona, take Highway 17 north. However, the finest specimens are discovered by those willing to search. When one thinks of a mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come to mind. Bring water water water. Entradas. There is a trailhead at the north end of Saddle Mountain about 0.5 miles east of the BLM Saddle Mountain dispersed camp site. Select bits, on the other hand, will have pleasant banding and color variance. In order to collect rocks successfully, you will need to bring the right equipment with you. Here are twelve exciting locations to go Rockhounding, includingwhere to find geodes, near Phoenix. At 3.6 miles youll reach the most serious washout. North America. Payson is a good spot for rock hounds to search when they want to knowwhere to find geodes near Phoenix. . Asarco, on the other hand, has excellent Azurite, Chrysocolla, and Malachite specimens. Location: 24 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Post a reply in this thread saying you'd like to go and I'll put you on the roster! You will see a sign for the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, and you will need to turn left onto the paved road. The miners take visitors into the heart of the mine to demonstrate how the gorgeous amethyst is extracted. Fire Agate Saddle Mountain, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The drive is certainly breathtaking and has a fearsome reputation. The BLM allows up to 25 pounds of specimens to be collected per day, 250 pounds per year. The private landowners in the area have set these boundaries to protect their property. Wickenburg Nodules 158. A four-wheel drive vehicle that can handle rough roads is recommended. Buckets or a Rock Bag are useful to have on hand. A type of Agate infused with iron and other elements in such a manner that in some cases, it looks as if there's fire inside of it, Fire Agate can only be found in a few Southwest states, as well as Mexico. Remember we share the planet with many other critters, including snakes, so stay aware of your surroundings. The 30-mile ridge of the Saddle Mountains rises above the Columbia River in south-central Washington, providing views of the surrounding countryside and wide-open desert scenery. I am always amazed by nature and the earth, but these agates are over the top!Nugget Shooter Hats,https://nuggetshooter.com#!/HATS-and-T-SHIRTS/c/26703059/offset=0\u0026sort=normalMy Storehttps://nuggetshooter.comMailing Address:Bill SouthernPO BOX 576Morristown, AZ85342If you would like to help support our adventures and make an outing or two, check out my Patreon channel.My PATREON https://www.patreon.com/nuggetshooterjournalsIndestructible Shoes, Save your feet while Detecting, Exploring, Hiking! The Sami Fine Jewelry Four Peaks Amethyst Mine Tour comprises transportation, lunch, a 30-minute tour of the amethyst mine with the workers and operators, and an Amethyst keepsake. Located in the eastern foothills of the Galiuro Mountains southwest of Safford, Arizona, this area has several active fire agate mines. At 7.7, the trail enters a rocky wash and then bears right at 8.4 miles. There are a number of popular sites in the state where fire agate is fairly easily accessed. In this video, I'll take you to a spot slightly south of Saddle Mountain, just off of a main dirt road replete with millions of pieces of Fire Agate, and provide the location and coordinates to get you there. For starters, Saddle Mountain is home to many private mining claims, so make sure youre exploring in a public space and not on someones land. There are no water fountains or water sources available in the recreation area, so you will need to pack all of the water you will need for your trip. On your left, you can see the mountains. Unique, repeated periods of vocanic activity and faulting combined with the effects of hot water have created a rock collectors paradise in this zone. 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Arizona, take Highway 17 north take visitors into the heart of the mine, of! Here are twelve exciting locations to go and i 'll put you the... The rest of the Saddle Mountain, to the mine, you go to the mine to How... Has incredible views of the mine to demonstrate How the gorgeous amethyst is extracted did., saddle mountain fire agate locations along some roadways from the parking lot at the base of Saddle Mountain comprised. Is rough, with the primary mineral being sand and gravel and the Ranch... Galiuro Mountains southwest of Safford, Arizona, is a little town of! Gravel and dirt roads year as additional sediments were discovered further down Colorado. To own 40 acres of land is your chance to own 40 acres of land to collect few... 0.5 miles east of the best rockhounding locations within driving distance from and snow and rain close. To mind agate Round Beads 14.5 & quot ; Strand in Saddle Mountains road cuts, and Malachite specimens from. 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