Lake Douglas, TN and other places in the area

[dr00bie]

My girlfriend and I are taking a little vacation this weekend down to Gatlinburg TN. I would like to find out more about collecting at Lake Douglas. I have read Rick's field trip review (http://wncrocks.com/magma/lakedouglas.htm).

I really need some help getting there. We are heading down there on Thursday, 28th, and coming home on Sunday 2nd. We are staying in Sevierville, so I thought maybe I would be kinda close. If anyone can give me some directions, it would be greatly appreciated. I will be going down I-81S, and then hitting I-40W towards Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.

If anyone knows any other places where I could go while I'm in that area, please let me know!

Thanks,
drew

[dr00bie]

I probably won't be joining you all at Chunky Gal, but everything is still up in the air for this weekend. My girlfriend hasn't done much rockhounding with me, as of yet... that is why I wanted to find out the directions to Lake Douglas, so maybe we can go and find some quartz... I really appreciate all the help!

Thanks,
Drew

[dr00bie]

Here is my review...

We had a great weekend, and woke up early this morning to get a sunrise pic (but it was cloudy and hinting at rain) and get to Lake Douglas early. We got there about 8 AM or so (your directions were right on Rick!). We both looked for about 30 minutes, and then it started raining. We retreated to the car and I got my poncho, Crystal stayed in the car and took a cat nap while I looked around. I found a dozen or so small ones. One that is really nice looking although it is asymmetrical and has some other kind of mineral inside it. I will post some pics, if I can get any. I looked until 10:30 and then came on home.

A few questions about the place....

When is the lake at it's lowest point? And what is the lowest point.

To give some perspective, I drove down in the parking lot, and looked on about all of the shoreline (except near the white house near the end)... The water wasn't really high.

Also, what are the average sizes of the crystals that have been found?

I really enjoyed the trip. I want to head down there this fall or winter (if that is when the water is low) and try it again.

Thanks for the info and directions!
Drew