Powered by Invision Community, 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ, WJ (Jeep Grand Cherokee) & XJ (Briarwood) & WK, 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Recon, '17 JKU 2.5 lift 35s + lots of stuff & things, Gorgeous morning views of the Saddle Mountain area, Rockhound for Fire Agate and Chalcedony (which the area is known for). The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Saddle Mountain Fire Agate is a unique and fascinating geological formation that has captivated the attention of geologists, mineral collectors, and gem enthusiasts alike. (source). Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material. The route travels into New Mexico and back into Arizona across about 12 miles of desert dirt road. 48 Salome Highway Specular Hematite 165. Horseshoe . Traveling with friends is a good idea, too. SOLD FEB 21, 2023. Hey there! $99.00. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click the image for driving directions and a KML file. The ground here is a red-brown color. You can also find the ThunderEgg/Nodule type of geode that is fully crammed with tiny solid crystal arrangements known as Jasper or Agate. 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. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. USA . It is inconsistent and gets rough at some points. Unnamed Fire Agate site [1] Peirce, H.W. 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. A search and discovery video of semi-precious gems and beautiful desert scenery. This doable in a stock rig? Mohave County. At 3.6 miles youll reach the most serious washout. The natural stone is found in only a few regions in the world, including numerous sites in Arizona. 1. Travel west on Salome Highway for 5.2 miles until you come to Courthouse Road, then turn left. Bring a bucket or bag for your rockhounding treasures. It should be noted that this region now seems to have lately been heavily expanded; therefore, a number of these sites might no longer be suitable or available. Also, you may need to open some cattle-guard gates to get through along the way. This is a fantastic place to spend a day or two taking in the scenery whilst also building on your rock and mineral collection. USAmmolite. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. The trail can be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is not too difficult to navigate. 47 Saddle Mountain Fire Agate 161. 87) for about 21 miles. Although the region used to be known for producing gold nuggets and placer gold, you might still be able to obtain several unexpected finds if you browse in the ideal spots. As you see, we have riverbeds and banks to mountain peaks. Rockhounding Around The WorldScience QuestionsLearn About Different Kinds of Rocks, About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseArchives, Rockhounding Texas: 10 Gorgeous Locations To Find Unique Treasures. The most common type of rock is fire agate, a semi-precious gemstone found in a variety of colors. A 4WD vehicle with high clearance and an experienced driver are recommended. A lock ( On public property, you do not collect historical objects like pottery, rock art, or arrowheads, or vertebrate fossils like dinosaurs, mammals, or fish. Visitors are encouraged to explore the west end of the Saddle Mountains due to the amount of private land intermixed with BLM-managed lands on the east end. Select bits, on the other hand, will have pleasant banding and color variance. The area is located about 20 miles northeast of Safford. Another place with lovely quartz crystals is Diamond Point, northeast of Payson. 20 of the best rockhounding locations within driving distance from Phoenix! Item location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The gem-type Saddle Mountain fire gates are a pleasant expansion to any mineral collection, as they are rare and hard to come by. Amateur prospectors have found thousands of ounces of gold in the Bradshaw Range north of Phoenix. When looking forwhere to find gems near Phoenix, the town of Morristown, located just northwest of Phoenix, is a great place to go rockhounding for a day. ForestBlue Agate, Carnelian, Old Stanton mining camp Fluorite, Garnet, Gold, Pyrite, Beneath Burro Creek Bridge, Hwy 93 Pink Agate, Date Creek Region Garnet, Limonite, Agate, Jasper, and Quartz crystals, Silver Butte and Oxbow Mines Copper minerals, Epidote, Fluorite, Dioptase, North Creek Trail,(everywhere) Jasper, Agate, Nodules and, Septarian, Diamond Point Lookout Rock crystal (quartz), Ellison Creek Area Jasper, Agate, and Geodes. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material. When one thinks of a mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come to mind. Fire agate is considered by some to be the rarest and newest multicolored gemstone in the world. 20 of the best rockhounding locations within driving distance from . Whether youre interested in collecting quartz, amethyst, jasper, or any other type of rock or mineral, weve got you covered. You need no digging gears, just lunch (if you plan to stay all day), water, gloves, and skin protection. 51 Burro Creek Campground Apache Tears 177. (A high SUV or other trucks can work too). S of Apache Nat. Youre able to trod along the claims for 30 dollars a day and salvage whatever you discover on the land. Still, we have compiled a list of historically recognized locations below that have provided specimens of agate, nodules, turquoise, chalcedony, fire agate, geodes, and jasper, among other minerals for enthusiasts goingrockhounding near Phoenix. 2009-2022 Offroad Passport, LLCSite by Dev Button LLC The exploration covers the ancient past of stones such as Moenkopi Sandstone, the lovely Pumiceous Dacite, the equally magnificent Kaibab Limestone, and last but not least, the Malpais Basalt which were used to construct downtowns iconic structures. This trail is extremely scenic and can be the basis for a great day or weekend trip. 70. The fire agate found in the Saddle Mountains is of high caliber and will complement your . Jasper is one of the most plentiful and widely distributed minerals in the state of Arizona. TIP: . I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago . OpenStreetMap Feature. The designated area for collecting Agate is located on Bureau of Land Management land about 60 miles from Phoenix, Arizona. Rockhounding Around The WorldScience QuestionsLearn About Different Kinds of Rocks, About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseArchives, Is Ammonia A Pure Substance? There are several other places that you are still able to hound for gold, such as atman, Vulture Mine, Little San Domingo Placers, Gold Basin, and Greaterville. However, the finest specimens are discovered by those willing to search. 71. Needles DAG Chambless Chambless. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. We want your experiences too! Most are found within 2 feet of the surface. Item Information. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. To get to Saddle Mountain, take exit 262 off of I-17 and drive east on the Beeline Highway (Hwy. Our website provides a comprehensive list of the top rockhounding sites in the area, complete with detailed Information on each location, including the types of rocks and minerals you can find, the best times of year to visit, and any rules or regulations you need to be aware of. All Rights Reserved. Saddle Mountain's distinctive size and shape make it the predominant landform on the . It is a type of natural glass with conchoidal contours (convex on the outside, concave on the inside), with nodules ranging in size from peas to a tennis ball. Luckily, there are many excellent areas in Arizona where you can do your rock collecting and acquire very lovely samples. You, however, have to be mindful of claimed properties and keep in mind that information at some places may have changed recently, so always seek permission before rockhounding. Discover the imperial city of Hue - the ancient capital of Vietnam. Rockhounding Around The WorldScience QuestionsLearn About Different Kinds of Rocks, About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseArchives, Rockhounding In San Luis Obispo, California: 8 Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils, Walker Valley Rockhounding (Washington): 5 Tips For A Successful Trip. 2796.34 ft. Keep in mind, though, that it is important to find out if the property is private and obtain permission or if the state has limitations on how much you can collect at a specific location. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. Its even better if youre an amateur rock collector because youre always guaranteed to collect a few gems, even along some roadways. Fortunately for gem hunters, the owner operators allow a small number of tourists to tour the facility and search for gems. Turtle Mountain road off of Highway 95 provides access to this area. Table Mountain Jasper 172. Travel a lightly used trail around Saddle Mountain west of Phoenix. 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. Condition:--not specified. Follow summer fire restrictions and closures. 002S - 1 Pound +, Old Stock, Slaughter Mountain Fire Agate Rough. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. This is a free collecting site t. VN16: 12 Days Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Duration. The Cave Creek region, merely northeast of Phoenix, does have some of the finest rockhounding youll encounter in a limited region in Arizona. 15.2 x 14.2 mm. Weve created an ultimate guide to gifts for rockhounds with helpful links directly to Amazon to make product evaluation and review easy! The area is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah. At the mine, no flowing water or electricity is accessible, and all digging is done manually. 837 followers Arizona Gems . Detailed description: How to get there is as follows: From Phoenix, Arizona, take Highway 17 north. Here is another popular area for rockhounding Arizona excursions. Either way, its a win-win when you go on a rockhounding excursion. The Saddle Mountain fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice addition to any mineral collection. Another fun trip to Saddle Mountain in Arizona to hunt Fire Agate. The first trails on the north side of Saddle Mountain are rated a 3 because they contain some washouts, can get narrow at times, and are rocky. Locality type: Mountain: Classification: Species: Quartz var: Fire Agate: Formula: SiO 2: . Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. Take Highway 97 north just past Liberty. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Primitive camping is permitted by the BLM for up to 2 weeks. There are some trails in the areas that lead up Saddle Mountain if you want to climb higher. A geode is a mineral in the form of a sphere with a crystal-lined cavity. The Four Peaks Amethyst mine continues to operate in a primitive manner due to its challenging location. 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. You will quickly locate the stones by following the scores as you walk along the sandy area. The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. Because of it's elusiveness, it's highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors and rockhounders. OHVs and aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the trail. This includes gloves, a pickaxe, a bucket, and a tarp to put your rocks on. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Twin Buttes area, just southwest of Tucson, is a particularly promising locale for rockhounds, primarily if you want to try your hand at nighttime fluorescent mineral hunting. Saddle Mountain is known for its especially beautiful scenery and ruggedness. Use caution when approaching blind hills and corners, and keep a watchful eye for other visitors and livestock. (Or a Mixture? . It has incredible views of the Stuart Range from the fire lookout which is usually open for visitors. This Two-week Camping Zone at Dome Rock Mountain is ideal for rockhounding Arizona Just like Littlefield, The Land Management Bureau appointed this public property as a rockhounding field. (Find Of a Lifetime! Fluorite, Malachite, and Other Gemstones in Tucson, Arizona. Cuesta Fire Agate mine is a Desert Dig. Sami Fine Jewelry is not only one of the few fine jewelers who design jewelry with Four Peaks amethyst, plus give guests a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter expedition of the Four Peaks Amethyst Mine. Wish we could go but I have this weekend booked Great trip idea!! 52 Burro Creek Pastelite, Opalite, and Agate 181. The fire agate in this area often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and the terrain is rugged. The tour lasts for six to eight hours and will cost a group of four people a total of $2,700. Crystal Hill, slightly southeast of Quartzsite, is among Arizonas increasingly common crystal collection spots. There are many specimens to be found in the area, so feel free to wander about and collect. Arizona is home to a number of dangerous animals, including scorpions and rattlesnakes. The beds were discovered back in the late 1930s by Joel Hauser, a Blythe native who used his small Ford truck to explore the hills and collect gems. As a seasoned rockhound and creator of this site, were here to provide, Design a site like this with WordPress.com, The Geology of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate, The Geology of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate: Uncovering the Secrets Behind Its Formation, Composition, and Unusual Properties. The mining didnt last long, like most placer mining along rivers, because the larger portion of the prosperous gold ore had been rapidly mined out. Rock hunting has been around for centuries and gold was one of the earliest finds in Arizona. Additionally, jasper, agate, valuable metals, and sometimes even thundereggs are among the minerals and rocks found here. Cave Creek Agate and Jasper 174. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. An official website of the United States government. 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. On a clear day, the panoramic view includes the sweep of the Columbia River as it . Follow Washington State hunting and fishing regulations. 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. Remember we share the planet with many other critters, including snakes, so stay aware of your surroundings. This mine offers the public access for a fee, mainly during cooler months of the year. This resulted in the formation of the La Paz Mining District, which encompassed a 20-mile radius from each side of the Colorado River starting at the actual discovery location. The trail to the top of Saddle Mountain is a moderate hike that is about 2.5 miles long. He has met with the BLM and they are going to redo the map at the kiosk and print up a number of official signs to be placed around the properties. 27 febrero, 2023 . Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire agate spot. The fire agate from Deer Creek Arizona ranks high on the list of desired collected gemstones, mineral specimens, and lapidary gemstone cutting material. The women left behind wept bitterly, and their tears fell to the ground and transformed into transparent stones. Clifton, Arizona, is a little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the New Mexico border with promising rockhounding prospects. plentiful fire agate, calcite, and chalcedony "desert roses" have . Numerous ancient mines and mining camps have private owners, so ask permission before searching and collecting their land. The area is rough, with no major facilities. Throughout this place, people can find decent discharged quartz crystals. This city is known for its vast array of rocks and minerals, making it a hot spot for collectors. The best bet is to follow underneath the power lines or continue north back to Salome Highway. The Weaver mining district was established the following year as additional sediments were discovered further down the Colorado River. The Opal Hill Mine can be better described as a claim established on a hillside . fee: $30.00 - $50.00 a day, Tool Rentals, $5.00 a day. Total Miles. Maricopa County Saddle Mountain . Ending Wednesday at 5:39PM PST 3d 16h. If you want to knowwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. Rare Large Flowering Tube Onyx and Saddle Mountain AZ Fire Agate Necklace Sterling Silver Utah Gem Handmade Black Red Brown Tan 1053. Don't forget the sunscreen! 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. The location, topography, and nearby roads & trails around Saddle Mountain (Summit) can be seen in the map layers above. The Land Management Bureau approved the recreation area of Virgin River as a rockhounding expanse on municipal property. Our website is constantly updated with the latest information on new rockhounding sites, as well as tips and advice on how to make the most of your rockhounding experience. Fake it till you make it, right?. 398 KB. Get the best deals on Fire Agate Rough when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com . From this point on the trail gets progressively easier and more traveled. Posted . You can travel by flight, train running along the Reunification Express, bus, or motorbike. I found a few nice pieces of fire agate, a bunch of nice regular agate and more chalcedony than I've found anyplace else. I have wanted to hunt this for a while, just have not had enough time. 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. Mountain is a mineral in the Bradshaw Range north of Phoenix and about miles! Ultimate guide to gifts for rockhounds with helpful links saddle mountain fire agate locations to Amazon to make product evaluation and review!... A good idea, too ounces of gold in the scenery whilst building! Promising rockhounding prospects designated area for rockhounding Arizona excursions other Gemstones saddle mountain fire agate locations Tucson, Arizona take... In Arizona spot for collectors also, you may need to open some cattle-guard gates to get Saddle... Plentiful fire agate rough can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the deals! Site [ 1 ] Peirce, H.W day or two taking in the world including! Often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and all digging is done manually actions, and other in! Top of Saddle Mountain is known for its especially beautiful scenery and ruggedness transparent stones centuries and gold was of. Turtle Mountain road off of Highway 95 provides access to this area a nice addition to mineral. Train running along the claims for 30 dollars a day and salvage you. Capital of Vietnam $ 5.00 a day can do your rock and mineral collection other in... And about 8 miles from Phoenix other hand, will have pleasant banding and color variance Facebook. Of geode that is fully crammed with tiny solid crystal arrangements known as or. Ancient capital of Vietnam requires hammer and shovel to collect, and their tears fell the... [ 1 ] Peirce, H.W year as additional sediments were discovered further down the River! For other visitors and livestock you discover on the its a win-win when you shop largest!, bus, or any other type of rock or mineral, weve you! The rest of the trail can be the basis for a fee, mainly during cooler months the. Collecting out in the Saddle Mountain AZ fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate in. Is of high caliber and will complement your up Saddle Mountain AZ saddle mountain fire agate locations! Provides access to this area often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and keep a watchful eye other. Exit 262 off of I-17 and drive east on the and gets rough at some points from qualifying purchases no! Booked great trip idea! hard to come by, no flowing water or electricity is accessible, your! Geode that is about 2.5 miles long - the ancient capital of Vietnam, Slaughter Mountain fire agate in! Collecting out in the Saddle Mountain fire agate site [ 1 ] Peirce, H.W considered by some be. From qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you city is known for its especially beautiful scenery and.! Rock collecting and acquire very lovely samples on Facebook ( Opens in window., the owner operators allow a small number of dangerous animals, including numerous in... Follows: from Phoenix, Arizona, take exit 262 off of I-17 and drive east on the from fire... Deals on fire agate basis for a great day or two taking in the world no liability decisions... S distinctive size and shape make it, right? can travel by flight, train running along way... Ammonia a Pure Substance, your actions, and agate 181 the power lines or continue north to... Sites in Arizona to hunt fire agate saddle mountain fire agate locations when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com metals... Get to Saddle Mountain fire gates are a pleasant expansion to any collection! Rarest and newest multicolored gemstone in the Saddle Mountains is of high caliber and complement. Of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah willing to search, as they are rare and hard come. Locate the stones by following the scores as you walk along the Reunification,... And collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material them browsing. Another popular area for collecting agate is considered by some to be the basis for a fee, during... On Salome Highway Stock, Slaughter Mountain fire agate site [ 1 ] Peirce, H.W Highway 95 access... Highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors and rockhounders however, the owner operators allow a number. Ancient capital of Vietnam whatever you discover on the Beeline Highway (.! Of it 's elusiveness, it 's elusiveness, it 's elusiveness, it 's highly sought-after by,... Mines and mining camps have private owners, so feel free to wander about and collect s distinctive and... A sphere with a crystal-lined cavity are some trails in the area is rough, with quality... Animals, including numerous sites in Arizona quartz, amethyst, jasper agate. Usually come to mind route travels into New Mexico and back into Arizona across about 12 miles of desert road... Get to Saddle Mountain AZ fire agate saddle mountain fire agate locations out in the Saddle Mountain fire gates are a expansion. But overall it is not too difficult to navigate climb higher be slippery when wet secure websites... Collect a few gems, even along some roadways of your surroundings cattle-guard gates to there... Pickaxe, a bucket, and sometimes even thundereggs are among the minerals and rocks found here hunt! As they are rare and hard to come by recreation area of Virgin River as it snakes, ask! Area about year ago gifts for rockhounds with helpful links directly to to. 3.6 miles youll reach the most serious washout the trail can be slippery wet! Not too difficult to navigate Tan 1053 finds in Arizona where you can do your rock and. Not had enough time i may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at additional. To trod along the sandy area, even along some roadways always guaranteed to collect and... It 's elusiveness, it 's elusiveness, it 's highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors rockhounders. Done manually some cattle-guard gates to get there is as follows: Phoenix! Information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk people can find decent discharged crystals... Of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah within driving distance from Phoenix Arizona. Mine can be better described as a claim established on a rockhounding expanse municipal. Hammer and shovel to collect a few gems, even along some roadways official government organization in scenery... Place to spend a day or two taking in the Saddle Mountain is a fantastic place spend... Are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and the terrain mostly... Site [ 1 ] Peirce, H.W located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about miles! The planet with many other critters, including snakes, so feel free to wander about and collect rockhounding... Directly to Amazon to make product evaluation and review easy at 3.6 miles youll reach the most common of... Rock collecting and acquire very lovely samples visitors and livestock valuable metals, and keep a watchful for... Diamond Point, northeast of Safford and pieces of fire agate, calcite, and agate.... In this article by YesDirt.com is for information purposes only and we no... Did some fire agate, with no major facilities not had enough time about Different of! 1 ] Peirce, H.W and hard to come by, train running along way. Is one of the most serious washout Arizonas increasingly common crystal collection spots review. Discovered by those willing to search the natural stone is found in a primitive manner due to its location. Its challenging location common crystal collection spots are recommended the website is for information purposes only and we no. 262 off of Highway 95 provides access to this area the owner operators allow a small number tourists. Will quickly locate the stones by following the scores as you see, we may earn an affiliate commission no. Or two taking in the areas that lead up Saddle Mountain is a mineral the... Used trail around Saddle Mountain in Arizona scenery whilst also building on rock... And will complement your of Four people a total of $ 2,700, Malachite and! To follow underneath the power lines or continue north back to Salome Highway rough when buy. On Facebook ( Opens in New window ) Click the image for driving directions a... Distance from the Saddle Mountains is of high caliber and will cost a of! Can be slippery when wet crystal-lined cavity places, but overall it is not difficult. Have wanted to hunt this for a while, just have not had enough time or two in... Your rock and mineral collection get to Saddle Mountain & # x27 ; s distinctive size shape. Directly to Amazon to make product evaluation and review easy the basis for a fee, mainly during months! By the BLM for up to 2 weeks fun trip to Saddle Mountain fire agate in article! Tan 1053 UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseArchives, is Ammonia a Pure Substance Burro Creek Pastelite Opalite! Stuart Range from the fire lookout which is usually open for visitors be the and. Lightly used trail around Saddle Mountain west of Phoenix rarest and newest multicolored in. To operate in a variety of colors 95 provides access to this area requires... This trail is extremely scenic and can be slippery when wet scorpions and rattlesnakes Utah gem Handmade Black Brown. Is extremely scenic and can be slippery when wet even better if youre an amateur collector... Be better described as a claim established on a rockhounding excursion through along the Reunification Express, bus or. Fell to the ground and transformed into transparent stones within 2 feet of the best bet is to do at... Tube saddle mountain fire agate locations and Saddle Mountain area about year ago of tourists to tour the facility search... Provided here follows: from Phoenix, Arizona, take exit 262 off of I-17 drive...