docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Apr 7, 2024 22:47:46 GMT -5
As president of our club in the Florida panhandle, which boasts some of the worst rockhounding opportunities in the country, I am tasked with suggesting sites for club rockhounding trips. We've done several far ranging trips to North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas (Big Bend, several times), Wyoming, Colorado, the Dakotas, Utah, Haunted Ridge, Missouri, and coming up, Western Nevada. I am currently looking into more opportunities in Missouri, and perhaps Keokuk, Iowa. Are there any members out there that could suggest sites that are easily accessible, and definitely open for collecting? I've seen several sites on line, but all over the state, but we need to narrow the list down some. I noticed the rockhounding sites list posted here but it seems too out of date. Anybody out there that cn assist us? Please??
M. Harber
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Post by liveoak on Apr 8, 2024 6:15:27 GMT -5
I'm most impressed with the range of your field trips !
Patty
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,269
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Post by chris1956 on Apr 8, 2024 9:24:18 GMT -5
That is a good question. Missouri doesn't allow ANY collecting of rocks on state land which really limits the opportunities. You mentioned Iowa and I assume you are thinking about geodes. They are also found in northeast Missouri. You might want to look at examples to make sure they are they type of geodes that you like. Here is a place that offers mining of geodes although $25 per person. www.shefflerrockshop.com/ I think I have seen others in that area also. Mozarkite (colorful chert) is found in central and southern Missouri (I understand the area around Lincoln Missouri is a good place). I think people look for it on the road cuts in the area. The southwest portion of the state is former lead mining areas around Joplin and also eastern part of the state. Not sure what opportunities there are for those areas. I live in the northwest part of the state. Most of the material here is glacial from Minnesota and north including Lake Superior Agates, petrified wood, red, brown, and black jasper, quartz and quartzite. I find it in the smaller creeks but again, you have to have permission to get on private land. My best advice is to look up local rock shops or clubs on the internet and contact them about collecting. There are several clubs in the Kansas City area that might help with this part of the state. Hope this gives you some ideas, Chris
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 8, 2024 12:40:56 GMT -5
Look up Missouri "Haunted Ridge" agate collecting site... Awesome agate coming from there..
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Apr 8, 2024 17:25:14 GMT -5
Thanks folks! I have since found information on Mindat that many of the mine dumps around Joplin are superfund sites and have been cleaned up so no more collecting potential there for the mosy part. The little surface material may be badly weathered. I had no idea that collecting was prohibited on public land, though. Our club has made a trip to Haunted Ridge, but I don't recall them finding much agate. I saw a YouTube video about collecting druzy in Washington County creekbeds. The collectors seldom reveal the actual sites, though. There was lots of drad chert b but there was a LOT of druzy on calcite and dolomite. The suggestion to contact local clubs and shops is the best bet, I think. The Keokuk-type geodes are supposedly found over a very wide area in the northeastern Missouri and eastern Iowa aea and a fee dig sit would be great for our crowd. We're looking at fall 2024 at the earliest. Patti, you'd be welcome to join our club trips as a member (liability insurance requires you join) and you might even join us at our silver pick to Youngstown in August. It's not too far awaty at all for you. Mark H.
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