|
Post by MrP on May 17, 2015 8:58:40 GMT -5
Anybody from Duluth, MN area know of some good pits to hound? We are going to be camping in Two Harbors Memorial weekend and am wondering where to find good gravel pits to hound....................MrP
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
|
Post by Fossilman on May 17, 2015 9:34:14 GMT -5
I just goggled your question-it popped up many areas around Duluth to rock hound...Lake Superior agates was one of the goodies...Also mentioned some local pits..
|
|
|
Post by MrP on May 17, 2015 10:18:32 GMT -5
fossilman Thanks for the replay. I have been to the Duluth area many times. Other then the Black Hills it is one of my favorite areas to go. The problem is finding pits where a person is allowed to go hounding. Because of people getting hurt and wanting to sue many pits post the area so you have to stay out. Some pits will post them but not say anything because you have been warned. I know that many pits in the Twin Cities area have wireless cameras and will turn you in if they get a picture of you. When the camera takes a picture it also notifies the cops someone is trespassing.
I was hopping somebody from the area would give the GPS coordinates to a bunch of LSA's, 1-5 lbs, that are laying around just for me to pick up. We have never found a LSA of any size up there but have found some nice weird rocks that were worth bringing home. We keep hopping to find large LSA, Mary Ellen jasper, or fancy Banded Iron Formation.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
|
Post by Fossilman on May 17, 2015 10:40:12 GMT -5
Well in time someone will post a couple areas-There are a few members on here from that area...Thumbs up
|
|
|
Post by Toad on May 17, 2015 14:22:53 GMT -5
Oh yes, I'll be following this thread. That is the next trip I have planned after I get done with the UP in MI. Here's to hoping you get a 5-pounder.
|
|
|
Post by DirtCleaner on May 17, 2015 22:09:24 GMT -5
Hounding for Lake Superior Agates is tough around here. 50 miles from Duluth is Moose Lake, MN. They have 3 gravel pits that are ok to hunt in. You need a permit which can be gotten for free on-line. Just Google Moose Lake Agate Permit. If you are lucky the pits may have been dozed up but it seems they only do that once a year. Walking the beaches of Lake Superior is fun and lots of rocks to pick up. But agates are few and very far between. Between Duluth and Two Harbors is the Knife River. There is parking nearby on both Hwy 61 and Old Hwy 61 (The scenic route) The farther up the river you can get the less it gets picked. If you travel beyond Two Harbors as far as Grand Marais, MN. look for Thompsonite. It is only found in a small area up there and is usually attached to a basalt matrix. Two Harbors has one of the best agate shops anywhere, Agate City. Only to be rivaled by Beaver Bay Agate which is only 25 miles beyond Two Harbors. Stop at Beaver Bay and they will tell you where to find Thompsonite and also they can show you how it will look when found. There are a few stops between Duluth and Beaver Bay where you can get to the lake. If the wave action has been big you may get lucky. Forget about the Duluth beaches for agates they have been walked over by millions of people looking. Have fun, enjoy the beach, take photos and let us know how your trip went.
|
|
|
Post by MrP on May 18, 2015 5:00:50 GMT -5
DirtCleaner Thanks for the info. We try to never miss Moose Agate days. We have a motorhome so usually spend the night at a casino, get up early to be able to park right by the back gate. We have not been able to go to the pits because of various reasons, other commitments, motorcycle for transportation, but now we tow a Jeep Rubicon so we can go any place.
I know it is hard to find an agate of any size but it is fun looking. I know a person who always find LARGE LSA every time he is up there but, he has never showed me any he has found! Makes me wonder, no I guess I know the real answer.
Have been to both shops, great but wish they had more rough........................................MrP
|
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,586
|
Post by Mark K on May 18, 2015 11:18:08 GMT -5
www.mooselakechamber.com/agate-picking-permit.phpHere is the link. If you want a lot of fast, easy agates, go to the hatchery pit and bring your 1/8 inch classifier. You will find a lot of small ones especially if the sand is dry enough to just pour through. One thing, keep your car well away from the wet spots. If you go into a wet spot, you might need to get help getting out.
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on May 18, 2015 12:50:15 GMT -5
My sister lives in Nashwauk, near Hibbing. I've been told that's too far north for agates. Is this true?
|
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,586
|
Post by Mark K on May 18, 2015 14:25:21 GMT -5
My understanding is that there are a few but not very many. Most are south of there because of how the glaciers worked.
|
|
|
Post by DirtCleaner on May 18, 2015 17:38:12 GMT -5
The Hatchery is on Agate Rd.
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on May 18, 2015 21:23:38 GMT -5
Thanks Mark.
|
|