saddle mountain rockhounding

Elevations range from a low of 486 feet at the Columbia River to approximately 2,700 feet at Wahatis Peak to the east. Recommended Posts. Topics include outings and trips, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens. Rockhounds have hit Saddle Mountain in search of fire agate for several decades, and although this means the site is relatively picked over, the vastness of the . Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire agate spot. Located about 65 miles southeast of Safford, Arizona, the Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area is the most remote of the three free Arizona collecting . Adams, Mt. The area is at least 12 miles off the main road into the desert on unpaved dirt roads. Feel free to ask a question or post a picture. 837 followers . 64. The mine was finally closed in 1952. It's a very rough road at the GPS listed above. The Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge is located north of State Route 24. By Azoutlaw480, February 1, 2017 in Rockhounding & Mining. Saddle Mountain is located in the Sonoran Desert subdivision of the Basin and Range physiographic and tectonic province which in this region has underwent moderate to severe Tertiary extension and magmatism (Ort & Skotnicki 1993). Once you enter Tonopah take a left on 411th Ave and then drive about 2.80 miles until you hit W Salome Hwy, turn right. This book provides detailed directions and GPS coordinates to the best rockhounding sites in Washington, with valuable tips on what to tools to bring and . This particular spot is considered to be among . The Saddle Mountain area has quite a bit of free range in which to search for fire agates. Finding Petrified Wood at Saddle Mountain, Washington. February 27, 2022 admin rockhounding brownsville, . Rising at 2700 feet, the mountains overlook the vast desert countryside and the last few miles of free-flowing beautiful Columbia River. Beautiful! 30 Reviews. This is a remote area, so the road conditions are largely dependent on recent weather conditions. Try this 2.7-mile out-and-back trail near Tonopah, Arizona. RockSeeker.com. . Saddle Mountains is a 30-mile long anticline ridge located in Mattawa, central Washington. Rockhounding Arizona Table of Contents: . Saddle Mountain Petrified Wood LARGE Polished 4.9 lb; Polished Petrified Halite (Salt) Wood Pseudomorph Sweet Home, OR 5.54 Fossil; Archives. Navigation Navigation. 2 stars 0%. I-5 Offramp in Kalama - (1 collector specimens) Kennewick. 25 ratings. Topaz Mountain is part of the Thomas Range which is a notable paradise for . This trail is great for camping, hiking, and trail running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Posted on. Elevation range from 486 feet to 2,700 feet. The area is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah. Rockhounding for fire agates Hunting part II. Join the adventure to collect Washington State's official gemstone! The split 46.79709, -119.88929. Saddle Mountain, Mattawa, Grant Co., Washington, USA : petrified wood and bog locality The fire agate that you can find in Saddle Mountains features rare quality and will fit perfectly into your . Artisan Rockhound. The trail to the top of Saddle Mountain is a moderate hike that is about 2.5 miles long. We started out with a well-known site called Saddle Mountain, located on public land that is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and located about an hour west of our home. It's a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and . Adventure along Saddle Mountain Road. 60. 8, p. 942-978. The base of Saddle Mountain, AZ really produces some beautiful agates and,! We would like to thank the Yakima Prospectors, the Wenas Mammoth Foundation, and Nick Zentner for their contributions to making this show incredible. More. The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. Mountain), autunite (Mount Spokane), grossular garnet (Vesper Peak}, and pyrite (Spruce Peak) are by far the best in the nation. 68 Methow River 244. A striking volcanic upthrust only a hour's drive from metropolitan Phoenix, Saddle 70 Frosty Creek 250. This is a world class rockhounding area for petrified wood, so watch for slow . #rockhound #rockhounding #gravelbike #cycling #vanlife #fireagate #agate #agatehunting #arizona #foryou #foryoupage". Saddle Mountains is a 30-mile long anticline ridge located in Mattawa, central Washington. Most of the Washington agates are either red-colored or transparent white with solid white banding. 112k. Agate. Rockhounding Oregon Map. Reidel, S. P., 1978, Geology of the Saddle Mountains between Sentinel Gap and 11930' longitude: Rockwell Hanford Operations Report RHO-BWI LD-4, 75 p., 4 plates. Arizona's National Parks and Strewn Fields Are Perfect for Rockhounds. The main trail begins in a picnic area and zigzags through mature old growth forest to a final accent up grassy slopes to the rocky peak. Saddle Mountain BLM camp. "A field guide to some of the state's best rockhounding sites!" A 6" x 9" paperback with 219 pages, descriptions, maps and photos. Saddle Mountain State Natural Area is cherished for its rare wildflowers and stunning viewpoint at the 3,290-foot summit. Follow . Black Hills, Arizona . St. Helens, Mt. April 12, 2016. by Admin January 16, 2018. Directions to the Saddle Mountain Fire Agate location. /A > Saddle Mountain Arizona id file # 10023619, saddle mountain fire agate locations id # I000808 0.5. . Meetings are held monthly for sharing stories of rockhounding adventures, for displaying the latest finds and projects, and for enjoying each others fellowship. Feel free to ask a question or post a picture. Rockhounding Saddle Mountain - Fire Agate. This was a fun trip and we made out with some really good material. Make sure to take plenty of water and have your gas tank filled up. Description. A good haul: Garnets: Club Officers: President - Carol Smith - 509.884.3349 Vice President - Helen Hall - 509.679.9755 Box 4099 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 Arizona Geological Survey 416 W. Congress, Suite #100, Tucson, Arizona 85701 Be prepared to pack in, pack out all gear 3 stars 8%. Second edition. 71 Stonerose Interpretive Center 254. 1. Getting There. Also, be on the lookout for petrified wood found in Ginkgo Petrified Forest, Umptanum Ridge, and more. No Utah rockhounding resource would be complete without a section about the beloved Topaz Mountain near Delta, Utah. The mountain is composed of tuff and rhyolite, and features many cliffs, spires and odd formations. The Saddle Mountains are actually part of a large fold in the earth's crust called an anticline (an elongated upward fold in rocks). Materials: Petrified Wood (agatized & opalized) GPS: Once you get to the pin for the split, going right will take you to the main dig site near the towers and going to the left will take you to the Cliffs digging site. going to be the definitive source claims and you can hike Mountain. The fire agate found in the Saddle Mountains is of high caliber and will complement your . Saddle Mountain Trail. Pretty landscape Saddle Mt. Gemstones, mineral samples, and lapidary fire agate rough. Hood. We were here Jan.6-9, 2019 and had daytime highs in the 50s & 60s, lows in the upper 30s. The fossil trees found at Saddle Mountain include: sycamore . Access: From Nathrop Post Office go south, take Colorado Route 162 west for 16 miles west to St. Elmo. It is located approximately 7 miles E/NE of Kendrick Peak 10,423'. 1. r/rockhounds. TikTok video from Lance Heppler (@drhepp): "Rockhounding and gravel biking for Fire Agates near Saddle mountain Arizona. The designated area for collecting Agate is located on Bureau of Land Management land about 60 miles from Phoenix, Arizona. This popular outdoor recreation and fire agate rockhounding area is located outside of Phoenix, Arizona. We found an area full of agates, especially fire agates. "The kids always seem to remember our rockhounding trips . The climb is especially popular in May and June, when wildflowers fill the mountain's meadows with the richest floral display in the Coast Range. Park Overview. The highest point in northwest Oregon, this hike to the summit of saddle mountain provides a panorama of the Pacific Ocean on the Oregon coast, Astoria, the mouth of the Columbia River, Mt. 65. Directions: The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. A striking volcanic upthrust only a hour's drive from metropolitan Phoenix, Saddle 63. Saddle Mountain is a landmark peak in the deserts west of Phoenix in the town of Tonopah, south of Interstate-10. The main trail begins in a picnic area and zigzags through mature old growth forest to a final accent up grassy slopes to the rocky peak. Take Hwy 243 south of Vantage, then Hwy 24 east to Mattawa. Peak years for metal production in the state were 1940 to 1970. Family Photos 821. By wild sagebrush and sparse Blue wheatgrass and proto-fire agate from Saddle Mountain dispersed camp site Saddle. #6 of 16 things to do in Safford. Some of the wonder found in Central Washington is right at your feet in the rocks and minerals! It is easily accessed from right off of the 180 Highway about 20 miles north of downtown Flagstaff. Our first excursion was Saddle Mountain. Saddle Mountain is a relatively indistinct summit in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. I want this! . One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. Phone: 509-536-1200. Looking out from campsite toward I10. If you have any questions, please contact Dennis by phone at (360) 870-8741 or by email at hobbyhorse51@gmail.com. 116k. Fourth of July Butte 172. 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. 61. On a clear day, the panoramic view includes the sweep of the Columbia . GPS 33.464, -113.0366. Discover rock hounding in Central Washington: crystals, agate, and jasper, and more. Katrina Michelle O'Brien 16. The best Arizona National Forest areas to rockhound in are the following: Tonto National Forest Area in Gila County, Arizona. 67 Golden Horn Batholith 239. Rising at 2700 feet, the mountains overlook the vast desert countryside and the last few miles of free-flowing . Followers 0. Safford Field Office, 711 14th Ave, Safford, AZ 85546. 66 Saddle Mountain 236. This is a very remote area. original sound. The road to the Cliffs is often a nicer road. Also, be on the lookout for petrified wood found in Ginkgo Petrified Forest, Umptanum Ridge, and more. Volcanoes, Fire Agate, & Petroglyphs, OH MY! Strewn Fields. Spruce Ridge quartz and pyrite - (2 upload . Saddle Mountain is located in the Sonoran Desert subdivision of the Basin and Range physiographic and tectonic province which in this region has underwent moderate to severe Tertiary extension and magmatism (Ort & Skotnicki 1993). From Othello, drive west on SR-24 for about 18 miles, then turn right onto a gravel access road that will take you into the refuge. #CurrentlyRockhounding #SNS #Rockhounding. Saddle Mountain Petrified Wood - (9 collector specimens from same city, 9 collector specimens from nearby locations) North Bend. Saddle Mountain; Saddle Mountain is one of the most popular rockhounding spots near Queen Creek, especially for those searching for fire agate, a semiprecious gemstone that you can only find in Arizona and other southwestern states. Saddle Mountain, Arizona (Rockhounding site and recreational area) Opal Hill, California (Mine, pay-to-dig) Black Hills, Arizona (Public rockhounding site, managed by the BLM) Round Mountain, Arizona (Public rockhounding site, BLM) Slaughter Mountain, Arizona (Mine) Oatman, Arizona ("Cuesta Fire Agate Mine", pay-to-dig, $30-$50 entry fee) ROCKHOUNDING ARIZONA! at Saddle Mountain. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 26 min to complete. Volcanic deposits . The Holden mine, in Chelan County, produced 10.6 million tons of copper, gold, silver, and zinc ore valued at $66.5 million. This weekend, we made a trek to Saddle Mountain in Tonopah, Arizona in search of fire agates. Prime dig locat. The anticline dips (slopes) very steeply on the north side (Crab Creek . The remote rocky hills are covered only by wild sagebrush and sparse blue wheatgrass. The collecting gets better the farther you get from the pavement and closer to the base of Saddle Mountain. An article was just published about collecting there in the May issue of Rock and Gem. Saddle Mountain. Sunday 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ. The Saddle Mountains in central Washington are famous for petrified wood. Saddle Mountain, Arizona (Rockhounding site and recreational area) Opal Hill, California (Mine, pay-to-dig) Black Hills, Arizona (Public rockhounding site, managed by the BLM) Round Mountain, Arizona (Public rockhounding site, BLM) Slaughter Mountain, Arizona (Mine) Oatman, Arizona ("Cuesta Fire Agate Mine", pay-to-dig, $30-$50 entry fee) The Saddle Mountains have a gentle southern slope in contrast to the precipitously bold relief of the north-facing cliffs. Strewn fields are open areas at a high altitude that are spanning over a large area. This is free camping on BLM land with a max 14 day stay and no amenities. Like California, one of the best places to find agates in Washington is in gravel beds along beaches. Reidel, S. P., 1984, The Saddle Mountains-The evolu tion of an anticline in the Yakima fold belt: American Journal of Science, v. 284, no. 4 stars 16%. It sits just north of the Kendrick Cabin, which is a recreational site for visitors to . That site has now come under some restraints. 5 stars 48%. Spokane, WA 99212. Rockhounding & Mining ; Saddle Mountain, Tonopah - Fire Agate Facebook; Instagram; Twitter; Youtube; Sign in to follow this . They're easy to recognize since they don't wear down quite as much as other stones. We were picking up a lot of chalcedony (cal-SED-nee), a beautifully pearly rock, and . gebo; May 3, 2021; 0; 0; Zeolites & Sulfides // Rockhounding In Kettle Falls. Fire Agates in Arizona near Saddle Mountain . Painted Rock 175. Map + Directions. The Saddle Mountains have long been a recreational collecting site for petrified wood which is Washington States official "gemstone". The Horse Heaven Hills area is particularly notable for its opalized wood and petrified wood. . Of chalcedony which is a fantastic location for those interested in Rockhounding is located 55-60. NFMS News Article - SADDLE MOUNTAIN (Mattawa, WA) COLLECTING SITE As many of you know Saddle Mountain has been visited for years by rock hounds to collect petrified wood. Signal 182. Some of the wonder found in Central Washington is right at your feet in the rocks and minerals! Feb 9, 2015 - Fire Agates Saddle Mountain, Arizona, fire agate mineral deposit location. Steep slopes and cliffs, narrow ravines with hill climbs and rocky slopes, with sandy washes make for great riding for all OHVs, from dirt bikes to SxSs. From Phoenix take I-10 west towards Tonopah. Ma /a > Saddle Mountain State Natural area - Wikipedia /a > the color, of. Complete with GPS coordinates and step-by-step directions! Saddle Mountain. Try your luck searching in and around the black volcanic patches. Azoutlaw480 0 Azoutlaw480 0 Overlander; Basic Members . Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1953. Discover rock hounding in Central Washington: crystals, agate, and jasper, and more. 20 of the best rockhounding locations within driving distance from Phoenix! gebo; May 3, 2021; 0; 0; Definitely found more beauties with the reds and oranges, and after closer inspection, found a few with some color play in them! The best places to rockhound in Central Washington are the sands and gravels of the many regional rivers and streams, as well as select mountainsides and hillsides. 5. Several miles east of Mattawa, turn left on "R" road to climb the foothills of the Saddle Mountains to BLM-managed land. I would 100% recommend heading to Saddle Mountain when the weather is nice and cool.Thank. Rainier, and Mt. A public subreddit for the discussion of rock hunting, rock collecting, crystals and mineralogy, geology, lapidary arts and rocks in general. rockhounding Rockhounding Oregon Brownsville Oregon More Crystals. Explore Washington's physical, cultural . Please keep safety and private land in mind. Digging for petrified wood. Description. The trail can be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is not too difficult to navigate. 1103 N Fancher. 72 Columbia River-Kettle Falls 257. Things to do: hiking, photography, and rockhounding. April O'Brien 101. There are many specimens to be found lying on the ground that can be lovely with a bit of cutting and polishing. Kevin O'Brien 24. Explore Washington's physical, cultural . Harquahala Grab your hiking gear and let's go! Red Top Mountain - (8 collector specimens from same city) Mattawa. Saddle Mountain Petrified Wood. GEOLOGIC MAP OF SADDLE MOUNTAIN, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA by Michael H. Ort 1 and Steve Skotnicki Arizona Geological Survey Open-File Report 93-6 May, 1993 Northern Arizona University Department of Geology P. O. Liberty. On approximately 250 million acres of public lands, visitors enjoy countless types of outdoor adventure - participating in activities as widely varied as camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, boating, whitewater rafting, hang gliding, off-highway vehicle driving, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing, photography, climbing, all types of winter . Saddle Mountain 170. Overview. Saddle Mountain State Natural Area is cherished for its rare wildflowers and stunning viewpoint at the 3,290-foot summit. r/rockhounds. Nature & Parks, Sights & Landmarks, Geologic Formations, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Nature & Wildlife Areas. Save. Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a prime collecting spot for fire agates, an uncommon semi-precious gem found only in Mexico, California and Arizona. Recreation Activities. Saddle Mountain is a famous rockhounding destination just next to Queen Creek, particularly for those looking for fire agate, a semi-precious jewel found only within Arizona and some other southwestern regions. Hello my friends! A peak's prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. Rockhounding in the Desert Get link; Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Email; Other Apps - October 27, 2020 . "Certaintly anyone that attended this year's show will say, "Awesome!". Pieces from the Saddle Mountain area of Central Washington are highly regarded and come in tones of white, tan, brown and even orange. Travelers driving eastbound will see the distinct saddle shape of this peak, which is a "volcanic upthrust". Thanks for checking out part 2 of my fire agate hunting adventures! The Saddle Mountain fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice addition to any mineral collection. 65 km. The region is home to large quantities of chacledony including fire agates. ROCK HOUNDING. The type and style of fire agate cover the entire spectrum will complement your mineral inventory few some! Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . Heading out in the jeep with our fellas, we romped all around these magnificent peaks, up and over arroyos and into the very dry desert (almost no rain this summer). Here you can get to know the rocks, gemstones, and minerals of Arizona and where to find them! Rockhounders regularly come from as far away as British Columbia and the Oregon coast as well as other parts of the U.S. to converge on the Saddle Mountains in search of petrified wood that is abundant at several locations on the mountains. The Monument/Refuge is the first of its kind under U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service management within the . It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. Main dig site 46.80886, -119.88947. The 195,000-acre Hanford Reach National Monument/Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge was created when President Bill Clinton signed Proclamation 7319 on June 9, 2000. Michael . The Trail is Relatively Easy to Navigate. The Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a remote rockhounding and boondocking area located south of the town of Duncan in Eastern Arizona. Saddle Mountains offer several thousand acres of BLM off-road riding, with more roads in the area open to OHVs. The rivers and streams of this part of the state are also very popular for gold panning . It was fun to head out for a hike across the desert floor looking for the pretty stones. GPS locations for active and inactive sites, geological sites and fee digs. 1 star 28%. Saddle Mountain Road is a very scenic drive around the uniquely formed volcanic Saddle Mountain in Maricopa County, in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, west of Phoenix. Minerals to be found in the area around the mines and dumps include: smithsonite and cerrusite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, and quartz. A public subreddit for the discussion of rock hunting, rock collecting, crystals and mineralogy, geology, lapidary arts and rocks in general. 62. 5 out of 5 stars (73) $ 65.82 FREE shipping More like this Add to Favorites Large Standing Authentic Texas Petrified Wood Natural Fossilized Log 5.5" 5.3 lbs w/Cut Base . Eagle Tail Mountains 177. Black Hills Rockhound Area. Saddle Mountain camping. The lightly used road is 18.18km (11.3 miles) long. Saddle Mountain, Tonopah - Fire Agate. Park Overview. Please be aware that there are private mining claims . Saddle Mountain, Arizona, Fire Agate Mineral Location Page. Columbia park trail/sacajawea trails. April 2022; March 2022; The remote rocky hills are covered only by wild sagebrush and sparse blue wheatgrass. Topics include outings and trips, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens. Saddle . Yakima Rock & Mineral Club Show 2016 "Rockin' Your World". ROCK HOUNDING. Alamo Lake 179. 750 g Saddle Mountain Petrified Wood Slab - Large and thick cut Ad by RawPeacesDesign Ad from shop RawPeacesDesign RawPeacesDesign From shop RawPeacesDesign. Saddle Mountain along with Black Hills and Round Mountain near the New Mexico border have been . We would recommend trying the road 2000' down the highway - we saw many more rigs over there, leading us . Members of the PVG&MC can find detailed information about each outing by clicking on the site location pictures below, attending the Club Business Meetings, or by looking in the Field Trip detail of each months Rock-E-Teer. We had to drive down a far and very bumpy dirt road, but the payoff was worth it. On a clear day, the panoramic view includes the sweep of the Columbia . The best times to visit this trail are . 69 Chewuch River 247.