Rock Hounding

Yesterday, the 27th, a whole group of “rock hounders” decided to drive to Maricopa (90 miles one way) to search for some rock called Green Jasper. We had a gem book that told us where many gem stone type rocks are found, so we knew there was a mountain of “green” 19 miles west of Maricopa, and we were determined to find it.

In the book, the writer said we would have to park just off the secondary road and walk about a quarter mile to base of hill (after crossing a rail road track and barbed wire fence). NEVER believe what you read!!! We got to where we were supposed to park, but there was construction going on, so we had to park across the road.

Here are some of the group gathering their tools; pry bars, chisels, hammers, etc…



After loading up our tools, buckets, back packs, etc…, we looked at the notch in the hills where we were supposed hike to…. See the picture below...looks close doesn’t it? Don't let that fool you.....this is a zoomed up shot of where we were heading. Note the railroad track in the foreground. What you don't see is all of the road construction equipment that we had to cross in front of (oops). I can tell you they weren't too happy about 14 people and a dog crossing through their project. We weren't stopped, but they did call the rail road company and get someone out there to make sure we made it "back" across the whole area safely (a few hours later, that is).



The supposedly, easy, quarter mile walk turned into a 1.12 mile hike (one way). It really wasn't bad walking in because most of the terrain is flat, except for all of the washes (gullys) that we had to cross through (that wasn't too fun). It was quite pretty because the yellow Poppies and blue Lupin were in bloom. You can see some of the gold in this picture. Our destination was that little notch between the two hills (long way).



Did I mentin the temperature? Well, during that hike it was in the mid to high 70s? Thank God for a nice breeze because it kept us cool and comfortable. The pictures below are where we came from (near those white buildings back there). Note the train in the second picture.





Here is another rock hounder braving the walk with her beautiful white shepherd. Note all the green grass from the recent rains.



This is some more of the group following behind. Again, you can see the yellow Poppies in bloom.



Some had to take a rest before climbing higher. The terrain is rocky and tough to walk over. We actually found some nice Jasper at this level.



Up there is where we were all headed. Notice Ken and Dave leading the pack. We don’t call Ken “Mountain Goat” for nothing (LOL). Not everyone made it that far up. Some settled for the nice Jasper about half way up. Of course, Ken went to the top and a little further over the other side. I said he was part Mountain Goat!



After three hours of chipping and prying rock out of the vein of jasper, everyone had to LUG their precious find ALL the way back to where we parked (remember that was 1.12 mile away). When we all got back to the vehicles, we were all hot and tired, but so very pleased with what was collected. Ken had a back pack full of rock chunks and worked on a couple small pieces today in the rock shop.



Green jasper is one gorgeous stone when polished. It almost looks like Jade when you get the darker green stuff. Other pieces have a tinge of green with white quartz scattered thoughout (almost like an Agate). I will post a couple pictures of the finished product when he gets some done.