Post by beefjello on Nov 12, 2007 13:11:16 GMT -5
Christa and I headed out this weekend once again to look for the elusive Planet Mine. We had tried to reach this location twice last January but were turned away due to desert races in the area. No races this weekend and nothing but sunshine in the forecast so away we went!
Passing by Saddle Mountain on the way
We hit Bouse and collected for awhile out in the agate field near the town then motored on towards Planet Mine Road.
Driving along the rugged road
Gettin' close.. looks like the bridge is out ahead!
Oh man we're almost there! Just a little bit further to the wash and.. hey what's that up ahead? There's a sign on that gate...
It's so close. You can see the diggings across the fence. Argh!!!
Well, I didn't drive all the way out here for nothing.. but I sure as hell ain't about to trespass and get busted. Directly behind my truck, away from the 'no trespass' area and way up on the mountain we could see more diggings. We had a quick lunch, grabbed our bags and hammers and hiked up a steep narrow mule trail to the top. Once up top we found multiple mine sites and blue and green everywhere!
Our view from the other side of the mountain showed more diggings in the distance, and the flood plains of the Bill Williams River.
Packing our rocks down the side of the mountain was an incredible challenge, but we did it. What an adventure!
We headed out from there towards the ghost town of Swansea and checked out some fluorite digs just south of there. Took awhile but I finally dug up a nice little piece of crystal purple fluorite on the side of the hill. We lost the sun and scrambled down the hill to set up camp. After building a fire, grilling some steaks and drinking a couple cold ones we settled down for the night under the stars.
Next morning after breakfast. The fluorite digs are on the hillside in front of the truck
Time to break camp and head on. We toured Swansea and hit the Bouse site again before heading home. What a great weekend!
Here's our haul
Lots of reds, browns, orange and yellows from Bouse
Christa found this and asked if I'd cab it for her. You bet honey ;D
From 'near' the Planet Mine. Lots of blues and greens. Some of this was in really neat agate matrix
Most was in massive hematite
We stopped at Jamie's on the way home and Rodney cut one of my finds for me. Too cool!
Druzy chrysocolla
Chrysocolla, hematite and quartz crystals
And the purple fluorite piece I dug up. Tiny but neat!
Thanks for coming along on our trip with us! ;D
Passing by Saddle Mountain on the way
We hit Bouse and collected for awhile out in the agate field near the town then motored on towards Planet Mine Road.
Driving along the rugged road
Gettin' close.. looks like the bridge is out ahead!
Oh man we're almost there! Just a little bit further to the wash and.. hey what's that up ahead? There's a sign on that gate...
It's so close. You can see the diggings across the fence. Argh!!!
Well, I didn't drive all the way out here for nothing.. but I sure as hell ain't about to trespass and get busted. Directly behind my truck, away from the 'no trespass' area and way up on the mountain we could see more diggings. We had a quick lunch, grabbed our bags and hammers and hiked up a steep narrow mule trail to the top. Once up top we found multiple mine sites and blue and green everywhere!
Our view from the other side of the mountain showed more diggings in the distance, and the flood plains of the Bill Williams River.
Packing our rocks down the side of the mountain was an incredible challenge, but we did it. What an adventure!
We headed out from there towards the ghost town of Swansea and checked out some fluorite digs just south of there. Took awhile but I finally dug up a nice little piece of crystal purple fluorite on the side of the hill. We lost the sun and scrambled down the hill to set up camp. After building a fire, grilling some steaks and drinking a couple cold ones we settled down for the night under the stars.
Next morning after breakfast. The fluorite digs are on the hillside in front of the truck
Time to break camp and head on. We toured Swansea and hit the Bouse site again before heading home. What a great weekend!
Here's our haul
Lots of reds, browns, orange and yellows from Bouse
Christa found this and asked if I'd cab it for her. You bet honey ;D
From 'near' the Planet Mine. Lots of blues and greens. Some of this was in really neat agate matrix
Most was in massive hematite
We stopped at Jamie's on the way home and Rodney cut one of my finds for me. Too cool!
Druzy chrysocolla
Chrysocolla, hematite and quartz crystals
And the purple fluorite piece I dug up. Tiny but neat!
Thanks for coming along on our trip with us! ;D