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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 12:57:24 GMT -5
Hi All! I'm planning collecting trip next weekend (May 12/13), somewhere here in Socal. I was thinking a day in each of two locations, with a night at a cheap hotel in between probably. I'm interested mostly in Agate and Jasp-Agate right now, for tumbling, although I am probably going to start slabbing soon, so bigger chunks for that would be nice to find. My question is, what sites (from the books or otherwise) am I most likely to find good stuff? I'm happy to hike a fair distance in, if that increases my chances. I know there is good stuff to be found at all of the sites, especially if one knows where to look or spends a lot of time, but in your opinion, since I'm kind of a newb at this, which couple of sites are going to give me the best "bang" for my effort, given that I don't have any insider knowledge about secret honey holes and such? I see a lot of enthusiasm around the board for Last Chance Canyon and Lavic Siding, so I guess I would try those two if I had to decide on my own, but really interested in your input. Also, if anybody wanted to join me, that would be fun too! Thanks, Susan
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2012 13:12:31 GMT -5
Both of the sites you mentioned would produce good results. I'd love to join in the hunt, but I don't think my wife would approve of me driving from N.E. South Dakota for 2 days of hounding. Don
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 13:14:19 GMT -5
Lol, what's a short drive when there are nice rocks at the destination? Tell her it's good exercise too! I probably did 5000 squats on saturday . . .
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2012 13:47:39 GMT -5
LOL. After a 7 hour drive across the state to hunt Fairburns, I could barely walk the next day. Good thing it was a 6 day hounding trip. More than an hour or 2 in my pickup is more than these 70 year old legs can take.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 13:50:23 GMT -5
One of my "You're not having fun unless . . . " sayings, is, You're not having fun unless you're sore the next day!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 14:39:06 GMT -5
My plan would be to take lots of diet soda since I do not drink beer. lol Sorry, I couldn't resist. Sadly I am way to far away also but might be willing to make the trip if you are single. hahaha Jim
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 14:43:50 GMT -5
Lol! I am! But too busy chasing rocks to even think about men right now!
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 15:00:36 GMT -5
hahahaha Damn, I am looking for a woman that loves to carry rocks. You have the fever real bad huh. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning. It won't help this fever even a little bit but you will feel better after carrying all those rocks. Jim
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 15:18:21 GMT -5
:-) Yup, Advil is a rockhound's best friend! (Well, aside from their Jack Russell anyway!)
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2012 16:02:17 GMT -5
2 Acetominophen and my Jack Russell do it for me. Nothing better than sitting in my recliner with a hot cup of coffee and my Jack squeezed in beside me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 17:46:59 GMT -5
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on May 7, 2012 17:57:25 GMT -5
You can find all of that in Christopher's back yard!
I can't function without Advil. Good stuff.
Sunday the 13th is Mother's Day. 19th & 20th is the Yucaipa Gem Show. We can't miss either.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 18:08:32 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for the excellent map, shotgunner! I wonder how many buckets of rocks my car can hold? Good thing I have an SUV! Hi LarryS! Maybe we should just go to Christopher's house instead! lol. Yes, mother's day, I negotiated with Mom to celebrate on the 20th - around here all the restaurants get full on Mother's Day. At least, that's my excuse!! And maybe by then I'll have a shiny rock or two for her. Or at least a round, dull rock!
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rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
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Post by rockingthenorth on May 7, 2012 18:21:01 GMT -5
there is a book called (Rockhounding California) that has maps of sites and what is found there. they are great books I have califonia, wyoming and montana.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 18:23:28 GMT -5
Yeah, I have that and the Gem Trails book. There's nothing like a personal recommendation though.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2012 18:31:47 GMT -5
Got a 1972 copy of Gem Trails, with lots of hand drawn maps on loose paper stuck between the pages.
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on May 7, 2012 19:11:40 GMT -5
Geez Don, you are older than dirt! I have that book too, bought it new way back then. Only bought it for the 4 wheel trails. I have loose papers in all my books, more loose papers than pages! Actually there are 4 books on SoCal. Most of the directions are outdated so which ever locations you choose, ask for updates.
Last Chance wouldn't be my first choice for tumbler size rocks. For jasp-ag tumbler size rocks, my first choice would be "Jasper Hill" or "Desert Oasis" depending on which book you read. It's the northern Hector Road site, north of the freeway. Due to soft sand in spots, 4x4 is recommended. Plus you can only get there if the rail road gate is open. Otherwise you have to walk about 2 miles. Lavic would be my second choice. Best material is in the south west area. 4x4 due to soft sand is a must otherwise you'd have to walk it.
Don't forget to bring lots of water, starting to get hot out there. Plus keep an eye out for rattlers.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 7, 2012 19:16:44 GMT -5
Good info, thanks Larry. Saw that in the book. I suppose if the gate was closed I could go to Lavic - another gate (right?) but a shorter walk to the rocks. Yes, definitely getting pretty warm this time of year! About the end of the useful desert season! Trying to cram as many trips as I can in while it's still semi-bearable. Then I suppose it will be off to the club workshop to learn some skillz!
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2012 19:35:51 GMT -5
Hey Larry, that's what Noah told me when I was forging spikes to hold his boat together. Do you remember the old Shamrock Rock Shop on La Cadena Dr. in Riverside ? That's where I got that one. Back before the 2 guys that ran it died, and their wives took over.
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on May 7, 2012 20:10:20 GMT -5
Don, bought my book at a back packing store near Pasadena. Not many 4x4 books back then. Use to use AAA Auto Club county maps for most of our navigation.
Bluesky, over recent years the rail roads laid new track and removed all the sidings. Think they did that so the BLM could close off huge areas of the desert. The Lavic siding, ramps that go across the tracks doesn't exist anymore. You have to get on the south side of the tracks about 3 miles west and drive the dirt road along the tracks to the site.
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