Baker's Mnt. Rock ID?

[tracey]

Went for a family hike on Baker's Mountain, Catawba County NC

Picked up this rock near the top (just above the lookout deck if you're familiar with the place).

Didn't see any others like it all day.

I'ts had a 24hr soak in mur. acid

Garnet?

But some of the crystals are more rectangular?

The stuff around the crystals is fairly soft and scratches away chalky, the rest of the hunk is very crumbly quarts? even more so after the soak





Thanks!

[41dave]

hmm...a stumper....probably going to take someone with a little more local knowledge of that area...

something about it just doesn't look like garnet to me, the host rock is interesting for sure, that light green tint....rutile is reported just to the ENE of Bakers Mountain, doesn't quite look like rutile to me though. The crystal shape is not normal for garnet, although elongated garnets do exist.

1st guess = staurolite
2nd guess = dravite
3rd guess = rutile

-Dave

[timh]

Can't tell for sure from the pictures. However I have hiked Baker's Mt several times including a geological tour with the Ranger. The area you speak of near the observation deck and on toward the power line right of way just above it is full of small garnets (pea size and smaller) in schist. There are some old mica mines within the park as well but they aren't near any trails.

[arappaho]

I like Dave's staurolite guess and have seen the elongated garnets,
too. The color of the little gems in pic 3 make me lean toward garnet.

But I'm really more concerned about what you said about soaking the
piece in muratic acid. I'm sure it was a diluted bath but I'm wondering
why you are using the mur acid instead of Iron Out or oxalic acid.
Muratic acid is pretty strong stuff and will disolve a lot of minerals
before you even get the chance to look at them. It's also some
pretty nasty and harmful stuff.
Now you are probably a chemist and I am sticking my nose and foot
in my mouth, but I have to ask.

Joe

[tracey]

Thanks Dave, I googled each of those suggestions, the pics that I saw that looked most like it were the dravite, but what little I found on it didn't sound like it's around here.
But it also looks like some of the pics of rutile.

Joe, I'm not a chemist, just a bit lazy and impatient. The muriatic acid just happened to be a convenient pick up out of my dad's garage and I keep forgetting to look for Iron out when I'm at the store, and too impatient to wait to go get some.

Ya'll get me trained up eventually, I promise to put Iron out on the list for the next trip to Lowes.

In an effort to further the ID I'm gently scraping one of the larger crystal pieces out of the chalky stuff to hopefully get a better look at it's form.

May take a while, I'll post if I get anything interesting out.

Tim, did the Ranger say anything about digging being allowed on Baker's Mnt.?

[ncbbqnut]

Tracey,

Like Joe (Arappaho), I have seen elongated garnets before, so that was my first thought. But, looking at the photos closer they do look like they could be staurolite. There are at least two localities for staurolite in the Hickory area according to Mindat.org.

My dad's family still lives in the Hickory area, and I have a 90+ year old aunt that still lives in Mountain View not far from the base of Bakers Mountain. I used to stomp around that area as a kid visiting relatives.

Bakers Mountain is known for its timber rattlesnakes, so be careful when you are hiking and rockhounding around the mountain. A botanist friend of mine in Hickory observed several rattlesnakes in the past year, and they were found during the Catawba County Natural Heritage Inventory completed several years ago.

Keep finding Catawba County treasures and posting the photos. They are great to see.

Peace,

Dennis

[romare]

First guess would be garnet in schist, Tracey.

Mark

[timh]

Tracey,
I did not specifically ask him about digging on park property, however, I'm sure it would not be allowed. They have pretty much the same rules as Sate Parks in N.C. Here are the park regulations copied from their website, note the 3rd bullet.
I did get the impression from the Ranger that he wouldn't mind if a person kept a small specimen that was surface collected. If you are there again ask about the geology tour, it was very interesting and informative. He pointed out a lot of interesting stuff including some American chestnut sprouts and a rare skipper that nests on yucca plants, also showed us the old mica prospects.

BAKER'S MOUNTAIN PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS
We want your visit to be safe and enjoyable. Help protect and preserve our natural heritage by observing the following:
•Sign in at kiosk upon arrival.
•Biking and horseback riding are not permitted.
•The removal of any plant, animal, artifact or mineral is prohibited.
•All Catawba County Parks are wildlife preserves. Hunting and trapping are not permitted.
•Do not litter; throw trash in proper receptacles located throughout the park.
•Smoking is not permitted in the park. Help prevent forest fires by observing this rule.
•Wading in stream is not permitted in the park.
•Fireworks, as well as firearms and all other weapons are not permitted.
•The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
•North Carolina motor vehicle and traffic laws apply in the park. Observe the posted speed limit. •Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are not allowed in streams, park office, or restrooms.
•Motorized bikes, four wheelers, and other off road vehicles are not permitted.
•Picnic shelters must be left clean after use.
•Use of the picnic shelters may be subject to reservation during high volume periods. Reservations must be made in person at the park office.
•Camping is not permitted.
•Stay on designated trails for your safety.

[timh]

Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday!

[tracey]

Thanks, Tim!

Oops, I also waded in the stream a bit, but I only picked up the 1 rock! I don't think I want to know where the mica prospects are if I can't dig, the temptation would be maddening!