The road is generally passable for most cars, and the site is about 2 miles off the highway. 3 Baths. Keep in mind, though, that it is important to find out if the property is private and obtain permission or if the state has limitations on how much you can collect at a specific location. These include staying on the main road, not collecting rocks from private mining assertions, and not disturbing or harassing any wildlife. However, the finest specimens are discovered by those willing to search. 856C5QR3+QG. Powered by Invision Community, 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ, WJ (Jeep Grand Cherokee) & XJ (Briarwood) & WK, 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Recon, '17 JKU 2.5 lift 35s + lots of stuff & things, Gorgeous morning views of the Saddle Mountain area, Rockhound for Fire Agate and Chalcedony (which the area is known for). $159.00 (15% off) The whole look is rated a 6.5 due to many washouts, careful wheel placement needed at times, remoteness, and rockiness. As you see, we have riverbeds and banks to mountain peaks. Cave Creek Agate and Jasper 174. You can also go picnicking or camping in the recreation area. Whipple Mountain Chalcedony 168. Here are the ideal areas inside the city and its periphery to collect gems from Agate to Amethyst: Black Canyon Highway Chalcedony, Jasper & more, New River area Jasper, Agate, Chalcedony, Agua Fria River Chalcedony, Agate, Jasper. If so sign me up!! Diggings can be found on the sides of the hills, where you can rummage through the green ash for geodes. The gem-type Saddle Mountain fire gates are a pleasant expansion to any mineral collection, as they are rare and hard to come by. The slopes north of Aguila are a famous harvesting spot. Mark K Cave Dweller. Fluorite, Malachite, and Other Gemstones in Tucson, Arizona. When you arrive at Saddle Mountain, there are a few things that you can do in addition to rockhounding. Discover the imperial city of Hue - the ancient capital of Vietnam. Saddle Mountain can be reached from Youngs River Road, Astoria, or U.S. Highway 26 near the Necanicum Junction, 10 miles east . Once the limit is reached, anyone asking to sign-up will be placed on the standby list. The majority of jaspers are strong dark colors. I found a few nice pieces of fire agate, a bunch of nice regular agate and more chalcedony than I've found anyplace else. Agate Mountain is situated nearby to Gibson Ranch. No facilities are present in this area, and snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads. The recreation area is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. without restrictions to what or where you can Dig. Hope you have a ton of fun! Hey there! 87) for about 21 miles. 3.6. The Twin Buttes area, just southwest of Tucson, is a particularly promising locale for rockhounds, primarily if you want to try your hand at nighttime fluorescent mineral hunting. Due to the severe wash outs at some wash crossings, this trail is more suited to vehicles with good departure angles. The wide-open pits are littered with piles of malachite, azurite, among other copper ores. The Friends of Saddle Mountain include approximately 20 volunteers that have assisted BLM in natural and cultural resource inventories and monitoring in the Saddle Mountain region covering nearly 58,000 acres. Natural erosion such as wind and rain continue to help uncover new raw materials throughout the year. Although the miners take an all-terrain vehicle across the mountains then a strenuous walk, pre-arranged tours are only allowed into the mine a few times a year. The most common type of rock is fire agate, a semi-precious gemstone found in a variety of colors. The fire agate from Deer Creek Arizona ranks high on the list of desired collected gemstones, mineral specimens, and lapidary gemstone cutting material. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/Saddle%20Mountains_Color_0.pdf. Youll need to contact the site for specific information about when to visit. Saddle Mountain is also a desert area, so it is also important to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Please be aware that there are private mining claims . It is a beautiful area where hiking and picnicking are also available. These areas are often rich in rocks and minerals. (A high SUV or other trucks can work too). In this video, I'll take you to a spot slightly south of Saddle Mountain, just off of a main dirt road replete with millions of pieces of Fire Agate, and provide the location and coordinates to get you there. I had a somewhat difficult time finding and fire that I felt was worth keeping. Collectors refer to some of the parts as Fire Agate because they have flashy gold and green flames. A 4WD vehicle with high clearance and an experienced driver are recommended. There are a number of popular sites in the state where fire agate is fairly easily accessed. Allan is familiar with all aspects of the Mine, When in the area he assists diggers, to find and dig their own 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. The trail passes through two additional washouts, both of which have a bypass that is less difficult. Duration. The area is open year-round. There are plenty of areas in the park where you can stop and have a picnic. 18.1. Round Mountain Fire Agate ( AZ Site 77 ) Quote; Link to comment Share on other sites. Tacomas, Colorados, Gladiators, etcwith a bed WILL drag their tail on some crossings. The best parking is found beside the trail just after turning left of the pavement. (source). I hiked up in and around the mountain and had a nice time even tho I didn't turn up much in the way of Fire. Bring a bucket or bag for your rockhounding treasures. Jasper, Agate, Quartz, Fluorite, and even geodes are among the rocks and minerals to be discovered. Saddle Mountain is a famous rockhounding destination just next to Queen Creek, particularly for those looking for fire agate, a semi-precious jewel found only within Arizona and some other southwestern regions. If you dont feel like a big challenge, stick to the initial 3.6 mile trail. node 359261341. LockA locked padlock There are many specimens to be found lying on the ground that can be lovely with a bit of cutting and polishing. 50%. Powered by. USA . It is recommended to wear hiking boots and bring plenty of water. The colors found in fire agate cover the entire spectrum. No Interest if paid in full in 6 mo on $99+Opens in a new window or tab* No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on $99+. Now is your chance to own 40 acres of land! 002S - 1 Pound +, Old Stock, Slaughter Mountain Fire Agate Rough. This includes gloves, a pickaxe, a bucket, and a tarp to put your rocks on. We always had the best luck on the east side by the power lines. There are no restaurants or food stores in the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, so it is important to pack a lunch with you. As a visitor, you can pay a fee then hire equipment to mine the claim for a day for a small fee. Member since April 2012 Posts: 1,931. Maricopa County Saddle Mountain Rockhounding Arizona Location: 9049 Oatman Rd (Old Route 66), Golden Valley, AZ 86413. Sixteen miles northeast of Littlefield, AZ, is where youll find the rockhounding area. You can start or contribute to your rock array by visiting any of these fantastic rock hunting locations. This particular place youll just be searching and picking at loose sediment, mostly. Agate is a common semiprecious silica mineral that has long been used as a gem and ornamental. Always be respectful of privately-owned property and mines. This area is also popular for rock-hounders who will find both fire agate and chalcedony on the north side of the range. Please don't hesitate to sign-up as a standby because people often do drop-out so you may get togo. Turn right on this dirt road when you see a sign for Hauser Geode Beds. Others may allow visits by appointment. And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. The main trail begins in a picnic area and zigzags through mature old growth forest to a final accent up grassy slopes to the rocky peak. Motorized vehicles limit your impact by staying on established roads and trails only. Discover the Beauty of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate: Your Gemstone Adventure Awaits. Ratings. in composition and physical properties.. Buckets or a Rock Bag are useful to have on hand. If youre passionate about geodes, this is the place of choice where youre sure to find tiny and large geode stones when youre rock collecting. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two designated collection sites that are open to the public year-round. Throughout this place, people can find decent discharged quartz crystals. The tour furthermore emphasizes the evolution of architectural techniques, shifting tastes for different forms of rock, and historic occurrences. Agates can be found on the beaches of oceans and lakes, along road cuts, and in areas with exposed gravel. We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. Follow Washington State hunting and fishing regulations. Safford, AZ - Fire Agate. In this article, well, Welcome to your online guide to finding the rare and coveted Saddle Mountain Fire Agate. Best fire agate location in CA is in Christopher's back yard!!!! Many collectors have found enough pieces to satisfy them on the lower slopes. Our marketplace also has thousands of "close out" domains, at even lower prices! Ghost Towns and Minerals 156. Further research through the BLM resource would be helpful. Since it takes effort to find good quartz, there are still some available. 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. If you want to know where to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. Free shipping. Fire Agate Rough LOOK PICTURES . GEOLOGIC MAP OF SADDLE MOUNTAIN, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA by Michael H. Ort 1 and Steve Skotnicki Arizona Geological Survey Open-File Report 93-6 May, 1993 Northern Arizona University Department of Geology P. O. For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire Agate Rough 14 grams Flames and white swirls. However, space is restricted, and reservations are needed. Artisan Rockhound. The gem-type Saddle Mountain fire gates are a pleasant expansion to any mineral collection, as they are rare and hard to come by. Sierrita Mts(Old Mines)- Pyrite, Copper, and Melanterite. The Black Mountains are located in close proximity to the town of Kingman in northwest Arizona. 1 star. Located about 65 miles southeast of Safford, Arizona, the Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area is the most remote of the three free Arizona collecting sites. The area has been scoured numerous times over the years, so be on the lookout for that hidden treasure, which is best discovered after a recent storm. The Saddle Mountain area has quite a bit of free range in which to search for fire agates. Just as an FYI, always make sure someone knows where you are going and how long you intend to be gone beforehand when visiting isolated areas. Primitive camping is permitted by the BLM for up to 2 weeks. 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