Fieldtrip Report:
Fieldtrip Report:
Colorado
from the west side,
Summer 2005,
by Dave Bese (Rainforest)
___________________
This was a trip
described in two words; frustating, contentment.
As I cruised down thru Olympia on Saturday morning, all seemed to be going well, but between there and Portland it seemed every idiot in Washington had converged. There were 5 accidents to slow down taffic and 5 hours to reach Portland. I met up with Ag there; a very avid silver collector. He has a great specimen collection that would certainly qualify for any museum. It was also there I realized my first CRS moment as I had forgotten to grab my loupe (thank God for severe nearsightedness!)
Back on the freeway, heading east on I-84, I came to the second frustration. Hoping to stop at Shellback Mt. for zeolites. Every roadcut was plastered with big red signs "NO PARKING" Checking with the state trooper, I found due to Homeland Security laws, you can't stop along any freeway except for an emergency. OK, next stop isn't on the freeway. Wrong again . . .the property had been sold and houses going up; more "No Trespassing" signs.
So being flustered, I did what I always do. Pin my ears back and GO! I reached Mountain Home, Idaho for the night. Refueled the next morning and again off at 75 mph. I crossed into Utah at 1:30 p.m. and made it to Topaz Mt. an hour before sundown. It was still 98 degrees, but I was able to find shade to work in. Even though I busted up half a pick-up of rock; got skunked.
Devils Canyon, East Utah.
East Utah
East Utah
Next morning, I decided to use the north loop to get to Dugway. About two miles after the end of paved road, I spotted the remains of an old mine clinging to the side of the rocks. A good pic-op. Another half mile and another old mine; with piles of rock! I found spec of small quartz; but what puzzled me was it looked too fresh to have come from that old mine. Proceeding around the corner answered that. Up on the hill was a much newer mine; active, with scores of piles all around. As I poked about I found they contained 60% quartz, small xtls and some colorful massive. Figures; I can't find gemstones, but quartz comes looking for me.
Dugway Mine
Dugway Mine
Quartz, Dugway Mtns.
When I got to Dugway, I found CRS #2. No shovel! I did have a smaller digging tool so I attacked with that; found some broken pieces; a nicely banded agate and as I walked about, some nice pieces that others tossed aside. Since the temps were now pushing close to 100; figured I'd take what I had and be happy.
I turned south and headed to Sunstone Knoll. This is one of those places that "Been there; found some ". Most are small, and if you want to find anything bigger, you bust rock. Not my idea of fun in direct desert sun. I have a small handfull.
Again headed south to Milford to hit the Coral Rec. Area. It's closed! OK, enough frustration; Colorado; here I come.
The geology in the east half is amazing! If you've seen the pics I took you only have a small taste of the experience. But as thunderstorms were moving in, I only made a few stops. I got into CO just after 8 pm and camped at a small state park.
The next morning off bright and early. First stop was at Parachute; oil shale. Has interesting patterns but doesn't polish. The book says to use acrylic or epoxy.
Oil Shale, Parachute, Colorado.
A short ways down the highway is Gypsum. Less than half a mile off the freeway is a deposit of selenite. Following the instructions in the book only yielded a few small massive bits, so I climbed up to a large boulder. On the backside was smaller boulders covered in selenite! A bit of careful prying and I had several nice pieces from fist-sized to TN. For the first few hours; I was feeling pretty good.
I travelled north from Eagle hoping to hit an area with agate, petwood and plant fossils. By mid-afternoon the thunderstorm began and I hunkered down by Green Mt. Lake. (sigh)
Green Mountain Lake.
Mt. Antero
Mt. Princeton
