Close-up of material initially taken from the Tree Root pocket. The last time I had gone on a true mineral-hunting "vacation" was way back in 2005, when I went to Bancroft, Ontario, the mineral-collecting . at least 30 cm thick, it did not bend into a vertical orientation, instead, it intersected the fault and opened into a pocket, lying in a near horizontal orientation. In Colorado, for over a century, the word Crystal Peak has evoked the vision of amazonite (green microcline feldspar) and smoky quartz combinations that have drawn prospectors to the area. First, theres no such thing as just a rock. A rock is more than an aggregate of minerals. Later on, trees were reintroduced to complete the reclamation task. I have written entire articles which cover the rockhounding laws and regulations for nearly every type of public land you can think of. Amethyst geodes, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Moonstone, Quartz crystals. Sometimes it can be hard to remove limb casts from the ground by hand, even when theyre partially exposed. The amazonite color was incredible! The Colorado landscape has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, with public lands becoming private, claims being staked and roads leading to closed gates. Rock hounding and Quartz hunting at Crystal Peak Mountain in - YouTube James says: June 10, 2014 at 2:11 pm. Intrusive, coarse-grained igneous rock substantially containing crystals typically 1 cm or more in diameter is referred to as a pegmatite. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Once the newbie hound is hooked, it helps to understand the terms rock and mineral, and how the two are related. It was Mr. Whitmore who brought worldwide prominence to amazonite by debuting some of his fabulous nds at the Chicago Worlds Fair in the 1890s. These locations offer a diverse array of rock and mineral specimens such as agate, jasper, petrified wood, turquoise, and copper. It was found just north of Florissant, near Crystal Peak, which you see mentioned frequently on this site. [3] With an elevation of 10,774 feet (3,284 m), Hahns Peak is the 1855th highest summit in the state of Colorado. They may however, dip wildly within the horizontal trend. For the Tree Root Pocket collectors, this was a one-in-a-million eld collecting experience. The blue-green color varied slightly from the edge of the pocket to its center. Usually, the pegmatites are difficult to notice until their thickness reaches at least 10 cm; then they are easy to spot because they contain a course graphic granite texture which is visually distinctive from the more ne-grained granite host-rock. Colorado Rockhounding | Found some Amazonite near Crystal Peak - Facebook The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. The St. Peters Dome district in particular is famously for its quality mineral specimens. Cherry Creek prospecting tips. For the casual collector or the obsessed amateur, theres a little something for everyone, just about everywhere. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. As luck would have it, the rst day of digging revealed an extraordinary pocket. Garden Park: Garden Park is located near Canon City in Fremont County. Within a pegmatite structure, there may be several places along its length where it widens into lenses. Crystal No. If youre interested in getting started with rockhounding, this blog post is for you. In the spring of 1996 the project engineering and base map were complete. Some of the more high profile include dinosaur fossils, petrified wood, amazonite, flourite, and even aquamarine. Is Iron out ok to use? If the pocket had not collapsed, several hundred more beautiful specimens would have been recovered. The discovery came after three summers of exploration, test trenching, and open pit mining. Once theyre clean, you can put them on display or add them to your rock collection! Following the survey, a series of geologic and geophysical studies were conducted. At least until you noticed the abnormal weight. discovered 2 meters beneath the surface, inside a collapsed pocket, eventually named the Tree Root Pocket. In three different areas on the mine property, it was observed that when pegmatites intersect the north-south faults they commonly thicken into lenses, and often produce pockets. Once this happens, theres no turning back. The following article provides some basic information on safety, rockhounding tools, collecting and our responsibilities towards the environment. After a quick wash, Robert Lorda and Bill Hawes (in photo) begin the long process of piecing the pocket back together. This is the repair specimen shown three photos back. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The overwhelming majority within this formation are plant-related fossils, though insect fossil discoveries are also common. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some rarer specimens are replaced with opal due to higher moisture levels. If this was a pocket-bearing pegmatite, the pocket would occur just under the arch in the center of the photograph. These east-west structures are also vertical and during the mining process are exposed as perfectly at vertical walls. found ever in North America. This site contains a detailed process for accessing as much information as possible through these means. I wouldlove to collect some rocks/crystal/fossils while I'm there. At the same time, the Foote Mineral Company began the first mining efforts in the Crystal Peak area (Odiorne, 1978). By law, these claims must be adequately marked. Golden, Colo. Photo by Ron Wolf. Pegamite, a gem-bearing granitic formation, is what youll be looking for. The roof collapse created damage to many of the specimens. The other is a slightly ner grained pink granite covering the southwestern portion of the claim. Photo by Bernie Kowalski. Sounds like you had a fun time at Wigwam Creek. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. AFMS Code of Ethics is a list of the "Golden Rules" of rockhounding. If you are in the area and want to see more interesting stuff, try visiting the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to see some even cooler finds. Mineralogy of the Pikes Peak Region - Wikipedia The best way to do this is by using a soft brush and water. Colorado Rockhounding Location Guide & Map - Rockhound Resource American . Mohawk Lake to Pacific Peak and Crystal Peak. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The granite is of a finer grain, containing crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica less than 0.6 cm. There are actually four areas just for those within a few miles of the peak itself. It is the responsibility of each rockhound to obtain permission from a landowner to search and/or collect on a piece of property. Most of the crystal group dismemberment involved the separation of amazonite from quartz. As a narrow pegmatite structure approached the fault it would sometimes bend vertically into the plane of the fault and produce a small vertically-oriented pocket. Houselog Creek usually offers its diggers great rewards, so be sure to take your digging tools and large buckets for your haul. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. For the adventurous, hiking the mountains of Colorado with a gold pan can incite a nostalgia of the old days and maybe turn up some specimens. The area is remarkable for those searching for rocks. Collect Quartz "Diamonds" in Central Montana - Judith Peak Crystals Colorado Springs is one of the best areas in Colorado for rockhounds. The property was owned by Jerry and Thelma Hurianek. It was formed by the erosion of sedimentary rocks. The pocket was shaped like a kidney bean and lay more or less horizontally. I will be visiting Colorado towards the end of next week. While it was a little different this year with the [], Shortly after the 2020 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the Collectors Edge acquired an impressive new batch of Amethyst quartz [], Collectors Edge Minerals, Inc. recognizes and thanks Rocks & Minerals for permission to use portions or all of their original [], Diamonds in Colorado! The majority of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Bestes A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. Over 1 billion years ago, magma pushed up into the Front Range of Colorado. Crystal Peak lies within this area, though today most of the surrounding area is private property. Theres more to the mineral than that, however. Claims are typically 182 m wide and 457 m in length. Found some Amazonite near Crystal Peak. Located in the Colorado Rockies near the Crystal Peak area is a mining spot that is popular for its teal blue amazonite and smoky Quartz combination of crystals. The specimens were. Website. One of these pegmatites opened into a high-quality amazonite pocket and produced about 30 nice amazonite and quartz groups ranging in size from 6 cm up to 14 cm. Copyright 2022 Rockhound Resource | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Colorado Rockhounding: A Guide to Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils, N & S Table Mts, many area mines & quarries, NW flanks of Centennial Cone, in pegmatites, Quartz Creek Pegmatites area, Opportunity Mine, Mine dump .3 mi. The region around the mine consists of gently rolling hills covered with pine trees and wild grasses. Sometimes occurring alongside white albite, these gemstones are highly sought after by mineral collectors. Search in the southern areas near this mine, and you will find plenty of geodes of all sizes. The Pikes Peak batholith consists of Pikes Peak granite and hosts all of the important Colorado Front Range pegmatites. Nearly 1,000 feet of the Tunnel Spring Tuff is visible many miles away as its startling white color varies from that of the surrounding landscape. The plates containing albite balls, amazonite and quartz created a beautiful array of color. About 100 ne pieces were removed in addition to several hundred lesser pieces. The blue-green microcline feldspar and rich black smoky quartz crystals create an unparalleled contrast making these specimens highly prized among collectors. In the past, because most amazonite pockets are collapsed and the crystal groups disassembled, few amazonite and smoky quartz groups survived. The pegmatite bending made following pegmatites a difficult job and care had to be taken not to dig. Of course, with the mountainous terrain comes the complications of weather and accessibility. There were some surface pegs and some really cool phantom like smoky quartzes found by some members at the time. Our state also has a plethora of fossils including crinoids, clams, trilobites, snails, corals, and at least one dinosaur. They are generally lighter brown in colored mounts that line the hillside. Colorado is also host to a dizzying array of rocks and minerals. So, be sure to check where in the area you can go rockhounding. The Lake George intrusive center is considered to be a late, textural variant of the Pikes Peak Granite (Wobus, 1976). The pocket lay only 2 meters below the surface next to a large tree. Always be alert of your speed. This will help you avoid damaging the specimens. Collectors Edge Minerals, Inc. had the opportunity in 1996-1997 to mine in Teller County, under a lease agreement, using mechanized equipment. Looking for suggestions on how to clean up these Amazonite pieces. Each day, 4 or 5 superb specimens were removed from the pocket, now named the Tree Root Pocket. The hole was deepened and a nice pegmatite dike was exposed, the source of the color. Graphic by Bill Tanaka. Devil's Head Rockhounding (Colorado): 4 Tips for a Successful Trip Crystal Peak Located on the Wah Wah Mountain Range, Crystal Peak is a result of a volcanic eruption from a nearby caldera around 35 million years ago. Apatite, Aquamarine, Beryl, Bismutite, Calcite, Fluorite (white, green, purple), Pyrite, Smoky Quartz crystals, etc. Though effort continued beyond 1997, only the first two years are summarized here. With the influx of miners and prospectors into the state, it wasnt long before the rich deposits of the San Juan Mountains were discovered, leading to the creation of towns such as Breckenridge, Creed, Telluride, Ouray, and Cripple Creek. Many of the pieces consist of groups containing amazonite, quartz and (sometimes) white albite. Most of the Colorado material formed in the Pike's Peak granite batholith at various well-crystallized places. Physiography 1 Records. This made a sort of amazonite sandwich with a clay lling. Topaz is a common gemstone, but its not a very common find outside of the commercial claims. As a CMS member said after finding a lode of geodes, It gives me a funny feeling, knowing how long theyve been here waiting for me to find them.. With over 770 types of minerals to be found, it's second only to California in the number of different gems and minerals statewide. Including in the area around Pikes Peak, making it another target for many rockhounds. Unfortunately, not a single additional pocket was discovered at depth, a surprise to everyone. This intersection-type was similar to the one located in 1996 inside Pit C. Also, in October, 1997, a small test pit dug on the north end of Pit A yielded another pocket inside one of these intersection-types. Two distinct types of formations are found within the Pikes Peak granite pegmatites and miarolitic cavities. Just to the southeast of the Two Point Mine are the excavations of Rock Currier and Bob Bartsch. One of these is sure to spark your interest and sense of adventure. Unfortunately, only a handful of pieces were completely damage-free. There is a relationship between the frequency of pocket-producing pegmatites and the north-south fault structures mapped at the Two Point Mine. The formation of Crystal Peak. Its No Croc: Visit The Best Alligator Farm In Colorado! The pocket discovery lay exactly at an intersection. This claim was held in a partnership between John O. Buckner and Don Smith. A few individuals have resorted to more aggressive mining techniques using mechanized equipment, including bulldozers and backhoes. If the pegmatite was very strong, i.e. During the puzzle work, a few of the pieces were nally cleaned yielding the biggest surprise to date. The deposit discussed here was discovered, claimed and named the Two Point in 1956 by John O. Buckner. Crystal Peak is the best area but most of it is under claim. Crystal Peak is a USGS named summit in middle of the northern Sierra Nevada Diamond Mountains, on the border of Lassen and Plumas Counties, roughly between Reno and Susanville as the crow flies. It took two months to find all of the fits. This is a huge area. Crystals of Arkansas Rockhounding USA US Join us as we travel across the USA in search of rocks, minerals, fossils, and Native American artefacts. The quartz crystals were gemmy and sometimes awless. But, even when putting the pieces side by side, it was very difcult to tell the difference between one which formed near the pockets edge and one formed near its center. Smoky Quartz is often found alongside Amazonite in Colorado. Two kilometers northeast of the Two Point Mine lay the 10 Percenter claim, site of the famous Key Hole Pocket mined in 1985. After a few field trips with seasoned explorers, you will discover how to recognize crystal- and gem-bearing rocks, as well as learn about local geology and topography. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". After the Denver Show, an effort to excavate below the Tree Root Pocket was undertaken. This site is devoted to sharing my love of rocks with you. Circa 1980. Cherry Creek was one of the first places early prospectors found gold in Colorado. The minerals are often encased in cavities and pegmatites in the granite, so a rock pick and a hammer should be in your pack. Though effort continued beyond 1997, only the first two years are summarized here. Best Sites for Rockhounding in Colorado | Moon Travel Guides Also, most pieces had only one repair. You will find the area rich in geodes and quartz. Modern mining has stringent reclamation standards, therefore some of the pits dug the previous year were lled in, recontoured and seeded. The Two Point Mine is located on a small mining claim in Teller County, Colorado, approximately 65 km west of Colorado Springs, Colorado near Lake George. Although there's an available collection of minerals on the National Forest land. Located at the mountainside in the Pike National Forest, Colorado, is Devil's Head, famous for rockhounding. But, hey, you dont know whats going to turn up when youre out in the woods. The state has thousands upon thousands of old mines and prospective rockhounding locations. Nevada Rockhounds | Nevada Mining | Best Places to Rockhound in Nevada Pit B after reclamation. The areas at, or near, the hilltops usually contain the best hunting ground for amazonite. One is a medium-grained pink granite that covers most of the claim and contains the best prospecting areas. Most of the terminations took a beating inside the pocket from natural events; the collecting procedure did not damage them. Almost anywhere you turn in Colorado there will be something worth finding because collectible rocks and minerals are well distributed throughout the entire state. The county road access to the gulch is the same as that used for the 14er, Quandary Peak, so weekend use in this area can be quite heavy, but those seeking the high 13ers will find much more solitude . The following project review provides historical and geologic information concerning the amazonite/smoky quartz occurrence at the Two Point Mine and the efforts of Collectors Edge Minerals, Inc. (CEMI) to conduct specimen mining and recovery during the 1996-1997 season. At the end of 1996, no major discoveries had been made. Crystal Peak is the best area but most of it is under claim. The limited success of Pit C however, provided enough incentive to continue operations into 1997. Garnet Hill The repairs helped recreate the outstanding beauty of this pocket. The mine area sits at an elevation of 2700 meters on top of a steep hill. Near Canon City, some of the oldest known vertebrate fossils have been uncovered. Reclamation work at Pit c. For every hour spent digging amazonite, an hour is spent reclaiming the surface. The pegmatites are not continuous structures. Thelma Hurianek holding a large amazonite crystal. It is your responsibility to know the rockhounding laws and regulations for each site you visit. The plates growing down from the pockets ceiling have separated from the roof and fallen onto the floor plates. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. Topaz Mountain. Topaz Mountain Rockhounding Adventure | Rock & Gem Magazine Typically these cavities are small, rarely getting more than a foot or so in size, forming in the inner portions of the pegmatite where the volatile portion of the magma has been trapped. Four or ve of these faults will group in parallel forming a fault system having a total width of 3 meters. Graphic by Bill Tanaka. JEEPN4GOLD/Google. These areas are usually between 2100 to 2700 meters in elevation (Foord and Martin, 1979). About 3 meters down, the unconsolidated granite gave way to hard rock and the digging was discontinued. The rst groups were heavily damaged but within a couple of hours, two very nice groups were pulled out. Every day for about 8 days, there was a collecting contest to see if the great piece pulled out today was better than the one collected yesterday. In some areas, the faults are no more than thin planer features cutting through the surrounding granite. Unfortunately for rockhounds, the law prohibits them from publishing their names or contact information online. Gunnison and the surrounding area have long been noted for their rock and mineral specimens. Its most characteristic gem is amazonite, the bright green mineral that is often mistaken for jade. Lens size is proportional to pocket size.
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