Attention Southern Arizona Rockhounds!

[canadatim]

Hello all!
I live in Pennsylvania and am planning a vacation to the southern Arizona area in late September and am already seeking info as to where I can go rock hunting. I don't mind a bit of hiking, but will not have a 4x4 to drive to remote areas. I would be interested in ANY type of rocks/minerals/fossils as it is more for the fun and excitement of finding/collecting than dedicating a search for one particular specimen. Maybe we could meet up somewhere when I arrive there too if interested in a rockhunting partner or group. I did this in British Columbia, Canada last year with a group of people and had a great time. I will be primarily staying in Tuscon. Thanks to all.

[kyohte]

There's Bisbee just south of Tuscon and the ASARCO copper mine that did (don't know if they still do, worth a call) pay digs, basically you pay for the tour, they let you dig the tailings afterwards. I have some nice Malachite and Chrysocolla pieces from there. There's TONS of places to look. Basically any wash or rock cut will reveal something. If you come up to the Phoenix area, let me know. I have a ton of spots out here

[canadatim]

Thanks kyohte for your reply. I have a few tips as to sites to rockhound in AZ. and CA. I will be going to the Hauser geode beds in CA. and an area near Palo Verde, CA.
I will be flying into/leaving from Phoenix, so I can definately spend a few days there if I can find some interesting places to search. I just figured I would use Tuscon as a "base" the last several days I'm in AZ. to explore the southern area of the state. My first destination will be Blythe, CA. to explore the Hauser geode beds. I will check this thread and keep in touch with you. I REALLY do appreciate any info you can give me as this will be my first trip to AZ. and I will be by myself. Will be great to have everything pre-planned so as to not waste time searching when I arrive. I don't mind going to pay-to-dig sites, but am more of a free-spirited explorer and LOVE just hiking around rockhounding!

[kyohte]

Sounds excellent! I do have a compiled list of places that I've visited and want to visit in the greater Phoenix/Maricopa County area. Feel free to email me at outfoxedranch(AT)gmail(dot)com (sorry, have to avoid the bots by spelling certain things out). I don't post locations anymore due to a couple bad experiences with people who just can't seem to follow conservation ideas etc, but am always interested in swapping knowledge with people who can

[jollyrockhound]

Best I can say is to just get close to the mtns there is lots of float jasper and agate out there. Sorry I have not been there in eons so road wise I could not tell ya I do know that the areas near blythe are very productive. You can get a BLM map if you need to know where to go. Good luck

[canadatim]

Thanks jollyrockhound! Yes, the info you gave me about really just scouting around the washes around the mountains has been told to me by others. I have the "Gem Trails" book and others with detailed collecting site directions. I'm going it alone so really need to do some planning on where to go. I'm still seeking anyone interested in meeting up somewhere in AZ. in late September to do some rock hunting! My plans will be flexible.

[joedirt]

If you're ever north of Phoenix, there's a town called Wickenburg off of HWY 60. Just before it is a rest area off the highway, with public access to the Hassayampa river. You can find all sorts of interesting rocks in the gravel of the riverbanks, and it's an easy stop. If you continue on 60W towards Aguila, you'll pass literally dozens of publicly known collection sites. the website findingrocks.com will list a number of them, but not all, and HEED THEIR WARNINGS that their site data is approximate. I have some tips and search tools on the useful links page of my website. I have 2wd on my main vehicle, and manage to get to most of the places I go. If you're interested in a tour of the local areas opportunities, contact me on my site. therovingrockhound.weebly.com/ I will be somewhere else by September, guaranteed, but I'll always have friends to call in Aguila. B.T.W. I remember PA from years ago, my childhood... what have you found in the area?

UPDATE:I haven't gone anywhere, but Tim came here! I'll have to email him and remind him to post pictures of his finds. He left Aguila with a chunk of gem Azurite the size of a softball, with Auriferous [gold bearing] Cuprous Iron Sulfate crystallizations. His company was a treat. Still working on getting access to the mine tailings around Wickenburg, and organizing paid rockhounding tours. I'll mount a trencher on the truck and turn the surface, make it a worthwhile trip for everyone, if I can line up some sites closer to the hotels. The official rules for casual rock hounding on BLM public lands are now posted on my website, along with the seperate chapter for meteorites, which ARE DIFFERENT RULES! Aguila is a bump in the road, 26 mi the other way. LOTS of good spots there, it's the same mountain chain as my Azurite, and if you've got a functional P.I. metal detector up for trade... I'll put you onto something pretty special, believe that! Just remember, the roads are lunar... rent a rover. Drop me a message, now is the time of year to be out in the desert.  weather is a delicious blessing last week, check the historical almanac at  www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KLUF/2013/9/28/MonthlyHistory.html#calendar

Rock On!

[canadatim]

Hey joedirt...thanx for the reply! I've aquired a contact in Aguila through a friend in British Columbia, but am always looking for new leads to find anything interesting while I'm in AZ. I will be sure and check out the river near Wickenburg as I'll be heading up that way.
Too bad you won't be around when I get out there. I just booked my flight and will be leaving PA. on Sept. 19th, will be in AZ. until the 28th.
Don't find too much here in PA. There are some mediocre fossil sites to find shell and fern fossils, other than that nothing exciting. I am thrilled to finally be coming out to AZ. to do some real rockhounding. Can't believe more people haven't responded to my thread. Thanx again for the info!

[mikeyrocks]

Ha....another Pennsylvanian....I am out of Philadelphia and I do some of my food shopping in Blythe, CA.
I'm in Quartzsite at the moment, not sure if I will be around when you are here. Might head up to the Denver shows as well as a run to Chicago.
Near Blythe before you get to the Houser Beds is Wiley Wells Rd to the north of I-10 there is Fire Agate which is well known and listed in most guides. As mentioned along 60 north of I-10 is Aguilla but also Brenda closer to I-10. To the west of Aguila is Burro Creek which has a number of materials. This should also be noted in the guides; you won't be far from there when you are there. Alunite at Dome Rock is played out (exit 12 or so on I-10) and not worth a stop there. Be on the lookout for snakes!

[lithofied]

Hi Kyothe,

I’m flying into Phoenix from Brooklyn Wednesday night for work. On Sunday morning I plan to go to Bisbee to rockhound. I’ve always wanted to go there since seeing the name next to so many gorgeous minerals in rock books as a kid. I’ve heard that you kind of can just “poke around out there” and find good minerals. Is this true? What would you advise?

Thank you,

Rob

[bucknutty]

May 29, 2013 17:33:13 GMT -5 joedirt said:

If you're interested in a tour of the local areas opportunities, contact me on my site. therovingrockhound.weebly.com/ I will be somewhere else by September, guaranteed, but I'll always have friends to call in Aguila. B.T.W. I remember PA from years ago, my childhood... what have you found in the area?

I know this is an old post, but are you still in the area? I'm eyeing some locations around Aguila and would love some feedback from someone who knows the area.