Pike's Peak Amazonite - Need help getting started

[sewellman78]

Hi All,

Long-time rockhounder, new to the forum here.  

Like a lot of y'all, my wife and I like to travel around looking for new mineral specimens and pretty rocks.  We've been fortunate enough to look in several places from coast to coast and learned a lot in our travels, but Colorado always seems to be tough.  I think there's just so much to choose from that it's hard to narrow down to one location sometimes.  Especially when you're limited to a few days.

I've been researching, reading and watching videos about the Amazonite around Pike's Peak and all the way to Tarryall Mountains.  I've looked on this forum as well, but a lot of the post on the subject go back to 2016.  (How was that 8 years ago already?)  I've seen quite a few people collecting, in what looks like Pike's Peak National Forest; but my understanding is that you cannot collect in a National Forest and you definitely can't dig.  I'm a bit confused.  Are they just breaking the law or is there an exception for Pike's Peak?  

We went to Lake George about a year ago and searched around an old Copper Mine and then tried to get over to some of the collecting sites around Crystal Peak; but determining what was private and what was public was pretty tough and we elected to be safe and left the area for that trip. 

I realize that Colorado is very secretive and competitive when it comes to rockhounding, so I'm not expecting anyone to give up their spot after putting all of the work in; but if anyone can at least point me in the direction of some trailheads to start off at, so I can at least have a spot to park and start my own search, we would really appreciate it.  I don't mind getting off the path out in the mountains, searching for a seam, and digging and chipping away to find some goodies.  As opposed to exclusively surface collecting.  We're hoping to find some amazonite and/or smokies.  Hell, we'd be happy with most rocks, but these two are currently missing on the bucket list.

I'd even be willing to trade some copper minerals (Azurite, malachite), Utah Topaz or Arkansas quartz for any help, when we come to town.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[rockjunquie]

Sorry can't help, but welcome from Virginia.

[sewellman78]

Thank you

[rockbrain]

I don't know much about Colorado rocks but I do know there are fairly inexpensive apps for your phone that will show private land boundaries. OnX hunt is one. I think it even has a name and address for who owns the land if you want to try and contact them. I believe the one my brother was using when I was out with him is Gaia. I really need to get it. You can record the path that you take. He did that when we went to the South Cadys and to Wiley's Well. Makes it easy to go back to places you've been. There was a lot of good info including showing all the claims and mines in the area.

[sewellman78]

Oh yeah, that would be really nice to have your route. I'll research further.

[vegasjames]

Welcome from Southern Nevada.

[sewellman78]

Hey! Thanks.  I've seen a few nice Amethyst spots across the border from you.  Wish they still had the annual Halite dig near there.

[chris1956]

It is probably not as fancy or good as OnX Hunt but you might check out Acres.  I did a trial subscription and it was very easy to use.    I think it is or at least was mainly based on land ownership. 

[sewellman78]

Will do. I downloaded OnX last night. Super cool App. Wish I had it earlier. Now if we can just incorporate Mindat.org into that app.....woah.

[titaniumkid]

Hi from Australia

[sewellman78]

Howdy