Share YOUR roads!We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more! The ground here is a red-brown color. A rockhound might go insane just gazing around, but at the end of the trip, the collector will scour through a tailings pile for samples. At 1.4 miles, bear left and cross through a somewhat difficult wash. Continue straight at 1.9 miles where left leads to some nice rock hounding and camping closer to Saddle Mountain. 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. April 3, 2013 On eBay One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. In order to collect rocks successfully, you will need to bring the right equipment with you. The first portion of the trail is short and rocky with the more difficult and washed out loop around Saddle Mountain providing more of a challenge. The weather in Saddle Mountain can change quickly, so it is important to wear clothing that will keep you warm or cool, depending on the weather. Buckets or a Rock Bag are useful to have on hand. Nearby homes similar to 4618 W Park View Cir have recently sold between $435K to $875K at an average of $240 per square foot. The area is also known for petroglyphs via an easy hike. Palo Verde Fire Agate 164. There are no water fountains or water sources available in the recreation area, so you will need to pack all of the water you will need for your trip. ). You need no digging gears, just lunch (if you plan to stay all day), water, gloves, and skin protection. It's a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. 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. Official websites use .gov Know BLM property boundaries, and respect private land. There are some trails in the areas that lead up Saddle Mountain if you want to climb higher. A lock ( There is a sign near milepost 141 on Highway 191 marking the graded dirt road to the site. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Optimistic rockhounds that are capable of following the edges and pick beautiful crystals out from the rock layers discover the perfect bits. There are no restaurants or food stores in the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, so it is important to pack a lunch with you. It's a rough road and the area right around the parking area is pretty well picked over but found some nice stuff in the hills surrounding. Bring water water water. The fire agate in this area often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and the terrain is rugged. Each individual is allowed to dig up a maximum of twenty-five pounds of material per day and 250 lbs in total annually. Never leave your essential gears and supplies like drinking water, a small shovel, gloves, a fully charged cellphone, and a bucket. The gem-type Saddle Mountain fire gates are a pleasant expansion to any mineral collection, as they are rare and hard to come by. These areas are often rich in rocks and minerals. Numerous ancient mines and mining camps have private owners, so ask permission before searching and collecting their land. The wide-open pits are littered with piles of malachite, azurite, among other copper ores. SOLD FEB 21, 2023. On your left, you can see the mountains. No facilities are present in this area, and snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads. (source). The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Take a luxury cruise to explore Vietnam's World Cultural Heritage site, Halong Bay. Location: 16704 Avenue of the Fountains #100, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Arizonas climate is predominately arid, so bring plenty of water and dress accordingly. Mineral specimens such as Fluorite, Agate, Garnet, and Jasper can be found in excellent condition. Member since April 2012 Posts: 1,931. Please note that there are private mining assertions in this region; therefore, regard the estate privileges of landowners and refrain from collecting specimens from those claimed properties. There are many specimens to be found lying on the ground that can be lovely with a bit of cutting and polishing. Agate Mountain is situated nearby to Gibson Ranch. If you havent seen the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Shows in the first two months annually, you are missing out on a true gem enthusiasts world of treasures. This particular place youll just be searching and picking at loose sediment, mostly. From this point on the trail gets progressively easier and more traveled. There are also a number of privately-owned mines that allow limited public participation for a fee. Location: 2995 Dome Rock Rd W, Quartzsite, AZ 85346. in composition and physical properties.. You can travel by flight, train running along the Reunification Express, bus, or motorbike. Rockhounding Saddle Mountain - Fire Agate. Stay left as the trail curves through wash and a washed out area at 9.0 miles and then rejoins the main trail at 9.1 miles. Directions: The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. It is best to stay on the main road and avoid any areas that are marked with no trespassing signs. However, the finest specimens are discovered by those willing to search. It is recommended to wear hiking boots and bring plenty of . 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. Many collectors have found enough pieces to satisfy them on the lower slopes. The top exposed layer of Columbia River Basalt Group basalt in the Saddle Mountains is the Saddle Mountain Basalt, which ranges from 120 - 240 meters (400 - 800 feet) in thickness and is interspersed by sedimentary layers of the Ellensburg Formation. The material is dispersed over a large area, so finding good pieces can take some time. If you are coming from the Phoenix area, it will take you about an hour to get there. SanDomingo Wash Placer gold The elevation is 2,799 feet, with the primary mineral being sand and gravel and the tertiary being platinum. (A high SUV or other trucks can work too). Overall, rockhounding is the right pursuit for you if youve often been intrigued by the natural deposits in Arizonas soils. As you see, we have riverbeds and banks to mountain peaks. 3.6 (26 ratings) 26. S of Apache Nat. The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. Asarco, on the other hand, has excellent Azurite, Chrysocolla, and Malachite specimens. There isn't a lot of shade available. It is one of several semi-precious gems found in abundance here. OpenStreetMap ID. The fire agate from Deer Creek Arizona ranks high on the list of desired collected gemstones, mineral specimens, and lapidary gemstone cutting material. Horseshoe . It is inconsistent and gets rough at some points. Always be respectful of privately-owned property and mines. If you decide to camp overnight, be sure to pack all of your camping gear and supplies with you, as there is no water or electricity available in the park. Saddle Mountain lies 45 miles west of Phoenix and just southwest of Tonopah, Arizona. Rockhounding is a fun and rewarding hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. Hey there! Agates can be found on the beaches of oceans and lakes, along road cuts, and in areas with exposed gravel. Ghost Towns and Minerals 156. I found a few nice pieces of fire agate, a bunch of nice regular agate and more chalcedony than I've found anyplace else. Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a prime collecting spot for fire agates, an uncommon semi-precious gem found only in Mexico, California and Arizona. A passenger car should be able to handle it. There are areas where you can metal detect, pan for gold, and sluice for gold. We looked but a fence prevents you from remaining on dirt back to the staging area. For starters, Saddle Mountain is home to many private mining claims, so make sure youre exploring in a public space and not on someones land. While some are collectors dreams based on value, others are simply beautiful and can help to spruce up the unique look of your home. Hey there! This doable in a stock rig? Apache Tears are only formed near Superior, Arizona, and when refined and held to the light, these are semi-transparent and have a smoky brown shade. There is a short hiking trail that leads to the top of the mountain, where you can get a panoramic view of the area. 53 Black Mountains White Agate 184. The area is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah. 4 Beds. Before you head out on your rockhounding trip, it is important to do your research and learn about the types of rocks that can be found in the area. These locations follow a geographic territory known as the Transition Zone, where the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Province meet. After 0.9 miles, turn right at the intersection. Mineral diversity is much greater here than in other parts of the state. Saddle Mountain can experience all four seasons in a single day, so it is important to be prepared for bad weather. Don, the proprietor, explains how Fire Agate is shaped and provides tips on how to search for, find, and excavate fire agate from the host rock. It is also recommended that you have a spare tire, CB radio, and plenty of water in case of an emergency. GeoNames ID. Site content including but not limited to: pictures, text, and layout are Copyright of AZOFFROAD.NET 2023. 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. 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. Take Hwy 243 south of Vantage, then Hwy 24 east to Mattawa. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire Agate Rough 14 grams Flames and white swirls . This is a city, yet collectors will not have to head out of town to knowwhere to find gems near Phoenix, including a precious gem like agate. The ability to dig for a fee is available at this mine. If you like to have a physical book in hand (like when theres no cell service), heres a few popular options: Rockhounding Arizona: A Guide To 75 Of The States Best Rockhounding Sites, Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem and Mineral Guide. He has been working Fire Agate for about 7 years, and is welling to help people with working Fire Agate. 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