spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 29, 2013 0:13:03 GMT -5
I am really in the needle peak spirit, here are a few pics from 2007: Dry creek bed going in. Baby Whale at the base, needle peak on the left. I have a tiny bit of it somewhere? A third(ish) way up looking west. the bottom of the drop off you saw in the last pic, and NO that is not Tom, the more I see this the more I am convinced. All taken from the West side of Needle peak. Apparently I didn't take any Pom pom pics . I'll keep looking Mark
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Post by Condor on Mar 29, 2013 13:27:28 GMT -5
I emailed Teri with our concerns about the Needle Peak trip. Here's what she replied: ~~~~~ To get to East Needle Peak, you go south from Alpine on Highway 118 til you get to Study Butte. Then you take highway 170 west for about 12 miles, and go south on a dirt road for 5 or 6 miles. You can also get there going south from Marfa, but it's a much longer drive. Some of the dirt road is very good, but as you get farther from the highway, it gets rougher. People have made it in 2wd vehicles, except for the very end of the road where you drive into the dry creek bed. The guy with the AWD should do fine if he's a confident driver. Driver confidence means more than equipment type in most situations. It's not really '4 wheeling' in that we're always on the road or in the creek bed. There are no huge rocks to crawl over, but there are some major ruts. The creek bed is sandy, though, and that's why I suggest 4wd. I won't let a vehicle go into the creek bed unless it's 4wd or awd, because my jeep isn't necessarily strong enough to pull them out if they get stuck. When you get down here, there's a climb to get up from the creek bed to the flat area around it. Then the amount of climbing you need to do will depend on where you want to go. There are plenty of great places to find agate and other rocks without any more climbing after you get out of the creek bed. The biggest difficulty here is the heat and low humidity. People need to drink LOTS of extra water and pace themselves so they can hunt for the whole day. There is no shade down here except for the banks of the creek, and at noon that's not there, either. So make sure everyone dresses for the heat (long sleeved cotton shirts are great, need hats, lots of sunscreen, long pants and boots) and has lots of water. Hope this helps! ~~~~~ What do you think Gil? On the water issue I'd add... Both caffeine and alcohol dehydrate you... So if you don't like water, bring something like Gatorade and bring twice as much as you think you'll drink. Later, jeri Uhh, umm, I, I, I, I th, tth, think I, I, I am a c, c, c, confident dddriver. I'm looking forward to this but my tires are old and I'm afraid I'll have another blowout. How big are the ruts? Are there any dropoffs. That scares me. Is the cost $40.00 and all the rocks we collect, or is there another fee for this? Condor
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 29, 2013 15:07:24 GMT -5
I don't know any more about the road. Is the cost $40.00 and all the rocks we collect, or is there another fee for this? Condor There is NO additional fee for the rocks. You get all you can haul out. There is an additional $10/family membership fee in the rock club. Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 31, 2013 0:42:48 GMT -5
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Mar 31, 2013 10:49:02 GMT -5
RE: Needle Peak
I learned some very hard lessons on Needle Peak back in 2007 that I would like to pass on to those who are going up there this year. Spike can vouch for what I am telling you.j
1. Wear good hiking boots. Do not even attempt to climb that hill if you are wearing sneakers or other kinds of footwear. That ground in rough and very unforgiving.
2. Take plenty of water with you. I would recommend at least one gallon. One of my biggest mistakes was I did not have enough water with me on the Peak. Had plenty in the truck, but not with me on the hill.
3. If you have a walking/hiking stick...take it with you. It will help in keeping your balance and will be nice to have just in case you should happen to meet up with a rattlesnake.
4. Work in pairs. Should something happen, you will have a person close by that can assist or could go for help.
5. If at any point, while on the Peak, that you feel you should quit...please do so. There is no shame in admitting you have reached a point that you can not safely go beyond. That was another mistake I made. I pushed myself way beyond what I should have gone.
6. Once you arrive at the peak, before climbing, ask yourself....am I healthy enough to do this. Climbing up the Peak will take a lot out of a person. It is rough going. If you truly don't think you can do it...then stay at the bottom. No shame is doing that.
7. Wear long sleeved shirt and a hat.
8. Watch out for those yucca plants...they are everywhere and will not get out of your way.
9. In addition to taking lots of water, I would suggest you take some trailmix or someother kind of snack. Working the Peak will zap you of energy.
Once you leave the paved road, it will be some places that will be very rough driving. Take your time and don't get in a rush.
I wish I could join you guys on this trip but my health won't allow it.
Spike....those pics sure brought back some memories.
Have a very fun and SAFE trip.
Tom
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Post by Condor on Mar 31, 2013 19:22:30 GMT -5
Excellent advice Tom. Here's an idea for the hats. My wife sewed about ten inches of towel fabric to the back of my hat to keep the sun off the back of my neck. Works great and helps prevent sunburn and all that other bad stuff that goes with it. For those of you going to Needle Peak, don't worry about the walking sticks. I will be bringing each one of you one. They come from the sotol cactus plant and are very hardy and durable. I still have one that I made over twenty years ago and it's still going strong.
Condor
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 31, 2013 20:49:03 GMT -5
Hi Tom, Like the name BTW While I agree with everything he said #5 stands out, I had real walking problem then and when Trey said "We will be coming back through here on the way back there is some nice blue agate in this area" Well I knew already I was holding them back so told them to go on and I would be here or at the truck. Never did find the blue agate but, well have already said that. Gil, I would take Dan up on his drive in offer, while that side is prolly more worn (and from what I can tell from Google Earth) less steep than the West side it is sand after all and things could change in a day. Jeri and I have talked about this so feel confident that I can say that we could take in one more, while it is CALLED a crew cab, the "crew" had better be pretty small. Water, yes lots of it. Those of you that live in those conditions already know that, I usually forget that even when I have some on me until I am gently reminded to to drink some The whole trip Jeri will have her portable radios, these come in really handy as we tend to split up and one or the other can't see each other anymore. The first sign of Pom Pom I am going to start going sideways rather than up I am really looking forward to this entire trip, it will be a blast I know, Oh one more pic I found from the first trip,
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 31, 2013 22:32:32 GMT -5
Tom, thank you very much for the Needle Peak tips!
Condor, excellent suggestion to avoid sunburned necks!
I only have 4 walkie talkie radios. Is anyone else bringing some?
5 days until I hit the road! ;D
Later, jeri
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Post by Condor on Apr 1, 2013 7:57:04 GMT -5
Tom, thank you very much for the Needle Peak tips! Condor, excellent suggestion to avoid sunburned necks! I only have 4 walkie talkie radios. Is anyone else bringing some? 5 days until I hit the road! ;D I have a pair of radios. They're supposed to be 15 mile distance but that's as the crow flies. Up hills and gullies and such, it's less, but I doubt we'll be that far away from each other anyway. Condor Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 1, 2013 10:44:36 GMT -5
I have a pair of radios. They're supposed to be 15 mile distance but that's as the crow flies. Up hills and gullies and such, it's less, but I doubt we'll be that far away from each other anyway. Condor You're definitely right about the distance thing. In that area I wonder if they'd even work a couple miles apart. But they do work when you lose sight of each other or you're at the truck and someone in your group is on a hilltop. Glad you're bringing 2 more. With up to 9 people hunting, I didn't think 4 would be enough. Mark and I each carry one because we tend to go in different directions when agate is involved. ;D Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 1, 2013 10:52:24 GMT -5
Random thought... Last year Jayson told us about a guy that's been coming to WWR for a couple of years. He's been digging Flower Garden by the old windmill on the west side. She said he takes out a couple hundred pounds each year. We found his spot (filled in) and it looked to be quite a large hole. Now, to me, that says digging is allowed at WWR. Of course there is plenty to surface collect. But it's nice to know that if you find a vein, you can go for it!. Later, jeri
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Apr 1, 2013 21:53:52 GMT -5
He paid for that, I don't remember all the details but it was a near mine paid for thing. Where he could could bring out as much as he could for the one agreed upon price before. Gah there is a name for it but I am too tired to remember. Those of us that will be there early will scout the east side but not the red plume ravines, I'm going to do the east side of the good one this time when we go to them. I've walked it a bit, but found more on the west side of it so walked that. I feel like a lot has been overlooked there (if everyone has thought like me)
"Digging" was allowed the first year, the term has diff meanings to diff people. what is not allowed now is "banging out" the basalt. What I understand from the past few years is: No banging out the basalt, if you find a nodule exposed your allowed to get it but no exploring. Digging in the dirt? prolly? As long as you fill it back in. She is (the last I knew) is trying to sell the ranch so no scars. This will be a great trip, can't wait to see you all.
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Post by Rockhobbit on Apr 1, 2013 23:18:39 GMT -5
Hi there Tom! How ya doin!!! I will be hitten the road on Thursday, heading for Texas but I will be in Odessa with my grandson.
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 1, 2013 23:32:41 GMT -5
... Those of us that will be there early will scout the east side but not the red plume ravines, I'm going to do the east side of the good one this time when we go to them. I've walked it a bit, but found more on the west side of it so walked that. I feel like a lot has been overlooked there (if everyone has thought like me) :help: You confused me. LOL Sheri, you know that WWR is only about 3 hrs from Odessa... Would make a nice day-trip. Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 2, 2013 11:36:34 GMT -5
$$$ Reminders...
Rockhounding rates from last year:
WWR charged $5/person/day (unless you camped there) + $2/pound for most rocks (opal & labradorite are $2/gram, I think). No credit/debit cards. CASH or CHECK ONLY.
The East Needle Peak trip is a flat $40/person + membership in their club. Club membership was $10 per 'family'. If you're single it should cost $50. A couple should cost $90. CASH ONLY. No additional charge for 'unlimited' rocks. You can keep as much as you can haul out.
Stillwell charged $0.50/pound for rocks and no hunting fee. Cash, check or card.
Later, jeri
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Post by beefjello on Apr 2, 2013 19:04:51 GMT -5
Man, I've been finding it a little difficult concentrating at work the past couple days. Shufflin' through my AZ lab, but my head's in West Texas ;D Hey Tom long time no see! Thanks for the tips/advice for Needle Peak. The 10 day forcast is predicting rain and cooler temps next Wednesday and Thursday for Alpine, hope that won't effect things (flash floods, mud, etc) out there. A little rain always helps spot the good rocks.. too much tho... Gil thanks for bringing walking sticks, sounds like they're plenty sturdy! Hope we get some musical entertainment too Sheri hope you get the chance to drop by!! Mark those formations in the creek bed pic are really cool!! Countin' down the days getting purdy dang excited!!!
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Post by Rockhobbit on Apr 2, 2013 19:28:37 GMT -5
Sorry guys but a 12 hour drive there, only 3 days with the grandson and then a 12 hour drive back. I will spend all the time I have with my grandson. I miss him so much! He is almost 3 years old and I don't want to miss a minute!!
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 2, 2013 21:25:36 GMT -5
Sheri, I was joking of course... Have a blast with the little one.
Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 4, 2013 14:56:04 GMT -5
I hit the road TOMORROW!!! ;D ;D ;D
See y'all in Alpine!
Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Apr 4, 2013 15:44:32 GMT -5
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