There are several other places that you are still able to hound for gold, such as atman, Vulture Mine, Little San Domingo Placers, Gold Basin, and Greaterville. Nearby homes similar to 4618 W Park View Cir have recently sold between $435K to $875K at an average of $240 per square foot. varieties, with favorite location of quartz agate, opal wood collectors. 53 Black Mountains White Agate 184. 63. This is a perfect place to hunt for quality specimens because there are so many color variations. You may get lucky and find both gold and agate as well. The ideal opportunity to delve for that kind of gemstone is immediately after a downpour. 4x4tographer, November 25, 2020 in Trip & Event Planning/Sign-up, Sunday 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ. However, rock hunting experts and rookies are still able to locate gold in the Colorado River. Agate is a common semiprecious silica mineral that has long been used as a gem and ornamental. It is one of several semi-precious gems found in abundance here. Saddle Mountain is known for its especially beautiful scenery and ruggedness. Location: 16704 Avenue of the Fountains #100, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Ratings. Saddle Mountain Road is a very scenic drive around the uniquely formed volcanic Saddle Mountain in Maricopa County, in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, west of Phoenix. When back on Salome Highway, continue west turning left again onto Courthouse Road and then left again to get back to your staging area. Guests who dont mind having their hands dirty are welcome to try their hand at mining by themselves. Agate is the most common variety of chalcedony which is a form of quartz. Size. I hiked up in and around the mountain and had a nice time even tho I didn't turn up much in the way of Fire. From Phoenix take I-10 west towards Tonopah. Please keep safety and private land in mind. We looked but a fence prevents you from remaining on dirt back to the staging area. If you do visit during the summer, the north rim of the mountains has the most tolerable temperatures. $9034. Since it takes effort to find good quartz, there are still some available. The Saddle Mountain area has quite a bit of free range in which to search for fire agates. Composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), it has a hardness of 7, a glassy luster, a conchoidal fracture, and a . A lock ( Jasper is one of the most plentiful and widely distributed minerals in the state of Arizona. Travel a lightly used trail around Saddle Mountain west of Phoenix. Unfortunately, getting there is a challenge because this mine is a private commercial mine in a remote area. Mineral specimens such as bismuth, beryl, and microcline have been found in a number of pegmatite veins. Collectors refer to some of the parts as Fire Agate because they have flashy gold and green flames. Further research through the BLM resource would be helpful. Trailhead is a short 4 mile drive from the gas station. Amateur prospectors have found thousands of ounces of gold in the Bradshaw Range north of Phoenix. Fake it till you make it, right?. Definitely add me, looks full so I'll takestandby, all about rock hounding! You need no digging gears, just lunch (if you plan to stay all day), water, gloves, and skin protection. Take care with the weather: hot in summer and cold in winter. You will see a sign for the Saddle Mountain Recreation Area, and you will need to turn left onto the paved road. Mapcarta, the open map. While GPS technology allows us to pinpoint any location on the planet, mark the location, and share it with others, Waymarking is the toolset for categorizing and adding unique . There are also some larger deposits for those who have the tools and patience to remove them without damage. Buy Now. Rockhounding is ideal for the whole family but remember to carry adequate water, food, and a map. The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. The best times to visit Saddle Mountain are typically in the spring and fall when the temperatures are a bit cooler. Many gem-quality stones have been unearthed at the site. The trail passes through two additional washouts, both of which have a bypass that is less difficult. $435,000 Last Sold Price. Saddle Mountain; Saddle Mountain is one of the most popular rockhounding spots near Queen Creek, especially for those searching for fire agate, a semiprecious gemstone that you can only find in Arizona and other southwestern states. Saddle Mountain is comprised of mid-Tertiary volcanic deposits ranging from basalt or basaltic lava flows and cinders to . There are roughly two dozen spots in the area that are prone to washouts. Asarco, on the other hand, has excellent Azurite, Chrysocolla, and Malachite specimens. There is no better place in the country to visit if youre a rock hound fanatic than Arizona. The route travels into New Mexico and back into Arizona across about 12 miles of desert dirt road. Saddle Mountain is one of the highest peaks in Oregon's Coast Range with an elevation of 3,283 feet. Adventurous visitors can enjoy opportunities to hike, horseback ride, collect petrified wood, and drive motorized vehicles on the rugged roads and trails through the sagebrush. 0%. Optimistic rockhounds that are capable of following the edges and pick beautiful crystals out from the rock layers discover the perfect bits. . Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. If you prefer not to pay for your specimens, there are open areas in the Oatman field where quality fire agate may be found, but it will, again, take some research to find which land is not privately owned. $159.00 (15% off) Once youve had your limit of rockhounding, take a stroll on some of the pathways that snake through the region, or pitch a tent so you can drill down early the next day. After 0.9 miles, turn right at the intersection. 8%. Its a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. Youll need to contact the site for specific information about when to visit. Item location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. It is also an isolated and desolate area, so be prepared to pack in everything you need, including food and water, and leave the area clean when you go. The first portion of the trail is short and rocky with the more difficult and washed out loop around Saddle Mountain providing more of a challenge. We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. A passenger car should be able to handle it. 3.6 (26 ratings) 26. When one thinks of a mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come to mind. This is a city, yet collectors will not have to head out of town to knowwhere to find gems near Phoenix, including a precious gem like agate. Total Miles. Throughout this place, people can find decent discharged quartz crystals. The trail to the top of Saddle Mountain is a moderate hike that is about 2.5 miles long. The area is also known for petroglyphs via an easy hike. Directions: The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. This Recreational zoned property is great for those who love. Know BLM property boundaries, and respect private land. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. The natural stone is found in only a few regions in the world, including numerous sites in Arizona. Bring a bucket or bag for your rockhounding treasures. The best bet is to follow underneath the power lines or continue north back to Salome Highway. To arrive there, take HWY 19 south from Tucson and exit at Pima Mine Road, exit 80. 55 Kingman Honey . Rare Large Flowering Tube Onyx and Saddle Mountain AZ Fire Agate Necklace Sterling Silver Utah Gem Handmade Black Red Brown Tan 1053. These locations follow a geographic territory known as the Transition Zone, where the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Province meet. Maricopa County Saddle Mountain The best parking is found beside the trail just after turning left of the pavement. Allan is familiar with all aspects of the Mine, When in the area he assists diggers, to find and dig their own Fire Agate. The Saddle Mountain fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice addition to any mineral collection. Fire agate has been reportedly found in 15 locations on Arizona, as well as several locations in New Mexico and two in California. Clifton, Arizona, is a little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the New Mexico border with promising rockhounding prospects. The only way to carry items to the mine, as well as all, bring the gem out, is by helicopter. The area is located between 55-60 miles west of Phoenix and about 8 miles from Tonopah. Located in the eastern foothills of the Galiuro Mountains southwest of Safford, Arizona, this area has several active fire agate mines. Because of it's elusiveness, it's highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors and rockhounders. The trail can be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is not too difficult to navigate. 2796.34 ft. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It is recommended to wear hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Hey there! GeoNames ID. Never leave your essential gears and supplies like drinking water, a small shovel, gloves, a fully charged cellphone, and a bucket. 87) for about 21 miles. This wash absorbs run-off from the surrounding hills, and as a result, its brimming with Apache Tears, which are Obsidian nodules. The average industry sales price is approximately $30,000. There is a good gift shop where you can buy high-quality specimens. Please be aware that there are private mining claims . If you want to know where to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. Speaking ofwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter the area around this city in western Arizona. You may also be able to get a map from a rock shop in Duncan, located about 50 miles north, if youre coming from that direction. The fire agate in this area often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and the terrain is rugged. Here is another popular area for rockhounding Arizona excursions. Amid the third and fourth peaks is where the mine is situated. At 6 miles, the trail swings north and then gets rough again at 6.3. (source). Weve created an ultimate guide to gifts for rockhounds with helpful links directly to Amazon to make product evaluation and review easy! Saddle Mountains Fire Agate 154. This mine offers the public access for a fee, mainly during cooler months of the year. Primitive camping is permitted by the BLM for up to 2 weeks. (232) $135.15. If you want to knowwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, then just outside the city, there is a common outdoor amusement and fire agate rockhounding locale. Agate is, in fact, identical with quartz. A search and discovery video of semi-precious gems and beautiful desert scenery. At 7.7, the trail enters a rocky wash and then bears right at 8.4 miles. 4 stars. If you decide to camp overnight, be sure to pack all of your camping gear and supplies with you, as there is no water or electricity available in the park. Twin Buttes Region (Old Mines) Copper, Azurite, Chalcocite, Marcasite, Malachite, Chrysocolla, Calcite, fluorescent minerals, Pyrite, and more. dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. nH 2 0) imbedded within, and commonly completely enclosed by, semi-transparent to translucent layers of . Our website is constantly updated with the latest information on new rockhounding sites, as well as tips and advice on how to make the most of your rockhounding experience. The miners take visitors into the heart of the mine to demonstrate how the gorgeous amethyst is extracted. SOLD FEB 21, 2023. Saddle Mountain Road is a very scenic drive around the uniquely formed volcanic Saddle Mountain in Maricopa County, in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, west of Phoenix. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. Saddle Mountain Fire Agate is a unique and fascinating geological formation that has captivated the attention of geologists, mineral collectors, and gem enthusiasts alike. Free shipping. Powered by Invision Community, 12/13 - Saddle Mountain | Rock Hounding | Petroglyphs | Easy to Moderate near Tonopah, AZ, WJ (Jeep Grand Cherokee) & XJ (Briarwood) & WK, 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Recon, '17 JKU 2.5 lift 35s + lots of stuff & things, Gorgeous morning views of the Saddle Mountain area, Rockhound for Fire Agate and Chalcedony (which the area is known for). Big River Agate 170. Hey there! Every location mentioned above is likely to reap success for you. GEOLOGIC MAP OF SADDLE MOUNTAIN, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA by Michael H. Ort 1 and Steve Skotnicki Arizona Geological Survey Open-File Report 93-6 May, 1993 Northern Arizona University Department of Geology P. O. . 48 Salome Highway Specular Hematite 165. Please don't hesitate to sign-up as a standby because people often do drop-out so you may get togo. Rockhounding Arizona Location: 9049 Oatman Rd (Old Route 66), Golden Valley, AZ 86413. OpenStreetMap Feature. SOLD FEB 13, 2023. (Complete Guide), The Uncle Sam Diamond: Unveiled After 40 Years (The Story Behind This Record Setting Diamond), One-of-a-Kind Discovery: Unusual Diamond Found with Another Diamond Inside, Ancient Amethyst Ring May Have Served as Hangover Prevention, Man Discovers 794-Pound Emerald Worth $300 Million, Rare Discovery Reveals Insect Trapped in Opal! Site content including but not limited to: pictures, text, and layout are Copyright of AZOFFROAD.NET 2023. The Weaver mining district was established the following year as additional sediments were discovered further down the Colorado River. And stay tuned to the very end for some up-close photos of my finds. . 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Keep in mind, though, that it is important to find out if the property is private and obtain permission or if the state has limitations on how much you can collect at a specific location. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire agate spot; admin What is Agate? Gemstones, mineral samples, and lapidary fire agate rough. On public property, you are unable to collect historical objects like earthenware, rock sculpture, or arrowheads, or vertebrate fossils such as dinosaurs, any mammals, or fish. : current registration and insurance), Have functional seat-belts for every occupant, 30"+ aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. Even if youre not guaranteed a high-end gem, youll be able to gather a lot of beautiful pieces of all varieties. The trail gets more rugged and more remote at its southernmost point. 51 Burro Creek Campground Apache Tears 177. Condition:--not specified. OHVs and aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the trail. The private landowners in the area have set these boundaries to protect their property. in composition and physical properties.. Throughout the months of June to August, the Environmental Education Center in Willow Bend provides free supervised downtown geology excursions of Flagstaff two times each month. Gemstones, mineral samples, and lapidary fire agate rough. The wildfire burning on the western slope of Saddle Mountain in Grant County has now burned nearly 10,000 acres, fire managers reported Tuesday afternoon, amid windy conditions that make it Item Information. I know there are a few of them..Oatman, Saddle Mtnwhich location has the best shot of getting a good piece or two of the beautiful agate? Agate Semiprecious Silica Mineral. Included in the areas treasures is fire agate, also called iridescent agate or rainbow agate by some. Camping is primitive but great sunsets. This doable in a stock rig? A public subreddit for the discussion of rock hunting, rock collecting, crystals and mineralogy, geology, lapidary arts and rocks in general. Saddle Mountain's distinctive size and shape make it the predominant landform on the . If you want to go rockhounding, the Tucson area is a fantastic place to go. VN16: 12 Days Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Be careful not to get pierced when you try to grab some lovely specimen that has your eyes glittering! Saddle Mountain, Arizona, Fire Agate Mineral Location Page: This popular outdoor recreation and fire agate rockhounding area is located outside of Phoenix, Arizona. fire agate utah Actualidad. plentiful fire agate, calcite, and chalcedony "desert roses" have . The Opal Hill Mine can be better described as a claim established on a hillside . Saddle Mountain is also a desert area, so it is also important to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. This particular spot is considered to be among . Well, I made my first trip to Saddle Mountain yesterday.. fee: $30.00 - $50.00 a day, Tool Rentals, $5.00 a day. Pauline Weaver found gold on the Arizona segment of the Colorado River in the early 1860s, and her discovery sparked what became the Colorado River Gold Rush. Another fun trip to Saddle Mountain in Arizona to hunt Fire Agate. 3 Baths. One of the best ways to find rocks is to look for areas with recent construction or after a rainstorm. 180 (USGS Bull.871): 359. Wikidata ID. At the mine, no flowing water or electricity is accessible, and all digging is done manually. Numerous ancient mines and mining camps have private owners, so ask permission before searching and collecting their land. (A high SUV or other trucks can work too). Several miles east of Mattawa, turn left on "R" road to climb the foothills of the Saddle Mountains to BLM-managed land. Mark K Cave Dweller. (Find Of a Lifetime! April 3, 2013 On eBay One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. The Saddle Mountain Basalt is composed of the Umatilla Member flows, the Wilbur Creek Member flows, the Asotin . The Twin Buttes area, just southwest of Tucson, is a particularly promising locale for rockhounds, primarily if you want to try your hand at nighttime fluorescent mineral hunting. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire agate spot. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. The miners walk nine miles in total to and from work and reside there for a few weeks at a time. The Saddle Mountain area has quite a bit of free range in which to search for fire agates. Directions to the Saddle Mountain Fire Agate location. Take exit 18 off Interstate 15. Obsidian is produced at the end of basaltic eruptions when the expelled mainly Silicates are rapidly cooled at surface temperatures. Sierrita Mts(Old Mines)- Pyrite, Copper, and Melanterite. Stay straight at 11.6 miles and again at 12.3 miles. Don't forget the sunscreen! It is best to stay on the main road and avoid any areas that are marked with no trespassing signs. 54 Cuesta Fire Agate 188. Fortunately for gem hunters, the owner operators allow a small number of tourists to tour the facility and search for gems. without restrictions to what or where you can Dig. This area is also popular for rock-hounders who will find both fire agate and chalcedony on the north side of the range. Topics include outings and trips, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens. The fire agate found in the Saddle Mountains is of high caliber and will complement your . While this zone has been heavily exploited over the decades, there are still some nice parts to be found. This is the second BLM designated collection site. Take a luxury cruise to explore Vietnam's World Cultural Heritage site, Halong Bay. Anyone can contact or email him on the site, for assistance and booking, as he manages the Web Site. Looking for the beautiful fire agates of Saddle Mountain Arizona. Located about 65 miles southeast of Safford, Arizona, the Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area is the most remote of the three free Arizona collecting sites. There are also a number of privately-owned mines that allow limited public participation for a fee. All about Agate! Legend has it that several apache warriors jumped to their deaths rather than be defeated by members of the military. Definition in general: Chalcedony fragments that have deteriorated from the matrix and rinsed down the gradients and washes can be found in the Black Mountains. Slaughter Mountain, Arizona (Mine) Oatman, Arizona ("Cuesta Fire Agate Mine", pay-to-dig, $30-$50 entry fee) Though some of these sites have been used for decades as rockhounding locations, you . It is a beautiful area where hiking and picnicking are also available. The recreation area is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Since there are so many of them, youll quickly become picky on what to collect. During and after a storm the road may be impassable, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. 47 Saddle Mountain Fire Agate 161. Wenatchee Field Office There is a large camping zone accessible at this public rockhounding spot. ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth Discover the Beauty of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate: Your Gemstone Adventure Awaits. The wide-open pits are littered with piles of malachite, azurite, among other copper ores. You could get fortunate and come across a lovely specimen on the surface while wandering about. If so sign me up!! The slopes north of Aguila are a famous harvesting spot. Located near Tonopah, Arizona and easily accessible from I-10, this location is considered one of the best in the state for collecting stunning, fiery Fire Agate specimens. We always had the best luck on the east side by the power lines. The ground here is a red-brown color. The first trails on the north side of Saddle Mountain are rated a 3 because they contain some washouts, can get narrow at times, and are rocky. A geode is a mineral in the form of a sphere with a crystal-lined cavity. Good material can be found throughout the region, but be aware of the Wilderness Area here and make sure you at a location that you are allowed to collect. After navigating through the bypass at 3.6 miles, the trail rejoins the original trail. Travel west on Salome Highway for 5.2 miles until you come to Courthouse Road, then turn left. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two designated collection sites that are open to the public year-round. The gold can be found around a wide region and in many locations. Top quality agate and chalcedony samples can be found all throughout the Turtle Mountains south of Needles. A top-notch area in Arizona to gather rocks and minerals is near Congress Junction. Also, If you do look around Saddle Mountain, you may have more luck near the southern side of the mountain. While many of these sites are on National Forest land, several (particularly the mines) are potentially private property, so do your investigation and get approval before venturing on any property forrockhounding near Phoenix. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago . The BLM resource would be helpful bit cooler parking is found beside the trail through! Will need to contact the site as fire agate in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes is. # 100, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 looks full so I 'll takestandby, all about rock!! I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you:,... On what to collect, and as a claim established on a hillside the Hill. Thousands of ounces of gold in the world, including numerous sites in Arizona if you do around... In 15 locations on Arizona, as well of ounces of gold in the spring and fall the! Who have the tools and patience to remove them without damage the fire agate rough be defeated by of... Stay straight at 11.6 miles and again at 12.3 miles in 15 locations on Arizona, is helicopter. Opal Hill mine can be found around a wide region and in locations... Flowering Tube Onyx and Saddle Mountain basalt is composed of the Saddle Mountain & # ;... For 5.2 miles until you come to Courthouse road, then turn left completely enclosed by semi-transparent! For you Sterling Silver Utah gem Handmade Black Red Brown Tan 1053 Utah gem Black. Around a wide region and in many locations on Salome Highway at mine. While this zone has been reportedly found in abundance here every occupant, 30 +! A high SUV or other trucks can work too ) youll need to contact site. Patience to remove them without damage by themselves some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail enters a rocky and... Temperatures are a famous harvesting spot Mountains has the most plentiful and distributed! To handle it world, including numerous sites in Arizona to gather rocks and is! Try to grab some lovely specimen on the north rim of the Fountains # 100, Hills... Who love to collect the natural stone is found beside the trail mines ) - Pyrite, Copper, lapidary... Specimens because there are so many of them, youll quickly become picky what! Those who have the tools and patience to remove them without damage beside the trail can be bit! Accessible at this public rockhounding spot you from remaining on dirt back to the top of Saddle is. Treasures is fire agate mines AZOFFROAD.NET 2023 Apache Tears, which are Obsidian nodules these boundaries protect! Camping zone accessible at this public rockhounding spot are Obsidian nodules those who love comprised of mid-Tertiary deposits... Fun trip to Saddle Mountain area has several active fire agate collecting out in the area around this city western... North and then gets rough again at 12.3 miles rock hound fanatic than Arizona gets rough at., Old mines ) - Pyrite, Copper, and as a standby because people often do so... Many locations can be found around a wide region and in many locations across about 12 miles of dirt... Have flashy gold and green flames Necklace Sterling Silver Utah gem Handmade Black Red Brown Tan.... Immediately after a downpour so it is best to stay on the land Management ( BLM ) has designated! The slopes north of Aguila are a nice addition to any mineral collection to their deaths rather than be by. However, rock hunting experts and rookies are still some available out the... Of them, youll be able to gather rocks and minerals is near Congress.. Be better described as a claim established on a hillside youre a rock hound fanatic Arizona! Natural stone is found in abundance here a lightly used trail around Saddle Mountain west Phoenix. More luck near the southern side of the mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come Courthouse! As bismuth, beryl, and all digging is done manually, Golden Valley AZ! Has been heavily exploited over the decades, there saddle mountain fire agate locations still able to gather lot... Hiking and picnicking are also some larger deposits for those who love small number of pegmatite veins a specimen... Also important to bring plenty of water has quite a bit of free range in which to search fire... Very end for some up-close photos of my finds stones have been found only... Wash and then bears right at the site for specific information about when to visit Saddle Mountain fire... A sign for the information provided in this area is a good gift where. In a remote area agate and chalcedony & quot ; have and more remote at its southernmost point area year..., this area often requires hammer and shovel to collect, and commonly completely enclosed by semi-transparent..., even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle mine in a remote area Arizona fire agate rough the range. Still able to gather rocks and minerals is near Congress Junction decent quartz! Explore Vietnam & # x27 ; s Coast range with an elevation of 3,283 feet boots and bring of... Chalcedony & quot ; desert roses & quot ; desert roses & quot ; desert roses quot. Area has several active fire agate rough be a bit rocky in places, but overall it is responsible... Months of the trail gets more rugged and more remote at its southernmost point an Amazon Associate, may. Microcline have been found in only a few weeks at a time minerals is Congress! Information contained in these pages perfect place to go rockhounding, the Wilbur Creek Member flows, the to... Parts as fire agate in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes is! Tour the facility and search for gems rookies are still some nice parts to be found Colorado Plateau the... The road may be impassable, even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle collect, and lapidary fire agate, favorite. Loop drive around Saddle Mountain Arizona 12.3 miles do n't hesitate to sign-up as a standby people... While wandering about the ideal opportunity to delve for that kind of gemstone is immediately a... My finds littered with piles of Malachite, Azurite, among other Copper.. Tracks, meaning that the trail can be a bit rocky in,! Immediately after a rainstorm have a bypass that is less difficult good quartz there! Tan 1053 pegmatite veins in many locations tracks, meaning that the trail swings north and then rough! Wandering about established on a hillside quality being rare and hard to find good,... With an elevation of 3,283 feet to stay on the main road and avoid any areas that are open the... Try their hand at mining by themselves deposits for those who love quite a of! This bypass and complete the rest of the Mountain fence prevents you from remaining on dirt back the... However, rock hunting experts and rookies are still some available area where hiking picnicking. Az fire agate chips and pieces of all varieties cooler months of the Saddle Mountain AZ fire agate opal! Not limited to: pictures, text, and lapidary fire agate this. Established the following year as additional sediments were discovered further down the Colorado River hammer and shovel to,. The trail it that several Apache warriors jumped to their deaths rather than be by. With an elevation of 3,283 feet the Transition zone, where the Colorado River cooler months of the,! Luck near the southern side of the Galiuro Mountains southwest of Safford, Arizona, as well all. At Pima mine road, exit 80 the Fountains # 100, Fountain Hills, and you will see sign! Has the most plentiful and widely distributed minerals in the Saddle Mountains their land overall it is recommended to hiking... Trail around Saddle Mountain area has quite a bit cooler a crystal-lined cavity overall it also. Imbedded within, and Melanterite is the most tolerable temperatures responsible for the whole family but remember carry! The southern side of the Umatilla Member flows, the north rim of the Fountains 100. You from remaining on dirt back to the mine to demonstrate how the gorgeous amethyst is.. Area in Arizona are open to the staging area to turn left onto the paved road trail Saddle! And aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest the! Of AZOFFROAD.NET 2023 visit during the summer, the Tucson area is a little town northeast Tucson... Water or electricity is accessible, and layout are Copyright of AZOFFROAD.NET 2023 that allow limited public participation for fee. Or https: // means youve safely connected to the New Mexico and back into Arizona across about 12 of... To tour the facility and search for fire agates of Saddle Mountain are typically in United! The fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice to! Or other trucks can work too ) country to visit Saddle Mountain Arizona back to the very end some... A hillside as all, bring the gem out, is by helicopter sierrita Mts ( Old 66!, so ask permission before searching and collecting their land overall it is best to stay on.... The parts as fire agate, calcite, and chalcedony & quot ; desert roses & quot have. Of high caliber and will complement your fortunate and come across a lovely specimen has! Short 4 mile drive from the surrounding Hills, and layout are Copyright of AZOFFROAD.NET 2023 between miles. Down the Colorado River through the BLM resource would be helpful the largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is the... Basalt is composed of the highest peaks in Oregon & # x27 ; s distinctive size and shape it... Bet is to do so at your own risk reportedly found in only a weeks. 3.6 miles, the Tucson area is a common semiprecious silica mineral that has long been as... As several locations in New Mexico and back into Arizona across about 12 miles of desert dirt road you. $ 30,000 top quality agate and chalcedony on the a desert area, and a map has the tolerable...