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Alabama
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| Below detailed localities, but also on the Wiki: |
| Discussion Threads on the Wiki for Alabama | Other Resources on the Wiki for Alabama | ||||
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| Click EasyEdit to add what you know. If you create another page featuring Alabama, or album of your Alabama collection, please add it to the table above. If a new thread on Alabama is started, it should also be added to the table. If you can help it, and it doesn't have a better starting position, start new Alabama threads at the bottom of this page. |
Alabama
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| THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT Regions can have multiple good spots to go — add details to build a complete guide. |
| Location #1: The Paint Rock River Valley Paint Rock Agate is found at the interface of the upper Mississippian limestone and the Pennsylvanian sandstone on the steep sides of the Cumberland Plateau.The sandstone weathers at a faster rate than the limestone and therefore a bench general forms at the interface. The agate can be found free of the limestone matrix but at the origin it is often found locked in the limestone. Permission must be obtained to prospect from the local landowners. This is the South so politeness and respect for property is expected. Many landowners will allow rock collecting but don't ask to hunt deer. General description: Paint Rock is a highly colored (red, yellow, pink, and some green) agate with fortifications, moss, flame and plume. It is found as nodules and in seams. | How to get there: Turn north at the town of Paint Rock off HWY 72 onto HWY 65. The best area is around Trenton. Search both sides of the mountains and the gravel bars in the streams. I found beautiful red carnelian pieces in the Paint Rock River. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1 Shovel and a pick 2.Rock Bag 3.Water !! Bad mistake if you forget the water. 4.Good hiking boots 5. Long pants if you don't want to be cut with briers. | Helpful notes to newcomers: Some nice agate can be found in the streams which is more accessible than the steep mountain climbs. In fact wading in the cool streams and searching gravel bars is great fun. For the physically challenged this is the best bet. |
| Location #2: Pudding Stone - a variety of jaspers and red chalcedony cemented in a hematite matrix. The small stones in the matrix make for more attractive cabochons. General description: The site is an operating quarry.Ask permission to hunt gemstones. Many quarries will allow collecting if you stay out of the way and don't risk your life on steep slopes. | How to get there: Just as you cross the Alabama border on HWY 72 from Mississippi look for the quarry on the right. If you cross Bear Creek you went too far. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Bucket to collect 2.Rock hammer 3.Safety glasses | Helpful notes to newcomers: In a rock saw the material will bleed blood red from the hematite. Wait until you need to change oil before cutting pudding stone. The finished stones take a beautiful luster on tin oxide and leather. |
| Location #3: Geodes lined with quartz or calcite General description: Geodes are found in the streams and fields around Athens Alabama. I have collected many geodes from this area including a quartz geode the size of a football. (see picture below)  | How to get there: Athens Alabama is located in North Alabama at the intersection of I 65 and HWY 72. Most geodes are located west and south of town. The Historic District has a number of elegant antebellum homes including the main building of Athens State College. Each year during the fall an Old Time Fiddlers Convention is held. Lot's of country music and great fun. Search a few of the shops and you just might find a antique treasure. http://www.tourathens.com/events.jsp |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Wading shoes 2.Hand tools 3.Rock Hammer | Helpful notes to newcomers: The lighter stones are the ones you want. The rough geodes look like cauliflower heads. |
| Location #4: Paint Rock Valley Lodge and Retreat General description: The Paint Rock Lodge is a great place for rockhound groups, family retreats, and hunting camps during deer season. I have found some beautiful Paint Rock agate and carnelian on the hundreds of acres owned by the Prince family. Ask Eddy about the polished 5 pound nodule of paint rock on display at the lodge that I donated. | How to get there: http://www.prvlodge.com/ The Hunville Gem and Mineral Society has held some wonderful weekend hunts with Eddy and his family. They are great folks. True Southern Hospitality. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A - one of my top sites. This place would make a Great Show for Kirstin and crew; especially during the Blue Grass Festival. There are crafters with finished jewelery made from Paint Rock and Tennessee agate. Tennessee agate is a continuation of the same geological formation. http://www.tnagate.com/ | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Hiking Boots 2.Pick & shovel 3.Water 4. The food at the lodge is great | Helpful notes to newcomers: Come during the blue grass festival and hear great mountain music. You might want to wade the river for agate washed down from the hills instead of hiking into the mountains. If you feel up to it, check out the Walls of Jericho. http://www.nature.org/success/jericho.html |
| Location #5: Falkville Alabama General description: The Vulcan Materials group is a socially responsible company. Tours of their quarries can be arranged for educational groups. I lead a group from the University of North Alabama Geology Department. Marine fossils abounded; crinoids, cephalopods, bryozoans,brachiopods, and many other species were found. | How to get there: Falkville is located south of Athens on I 65. Arrangement to visit the site must be made in advance. http://www.vulcanmaterials.com/default.aspx Marine fossils are plentiful in Noth alabama. It is renowed for complete crinoids (sea lily). |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Rock hammer 2.Safety glasses 3.Rock Bag | Helpful notes to newcomers: Always obey the instructions of the quarry personnel. Safety is of the utmost importance. |
| Location #6: Wetumka Alabama General Description: The most devastating disaster ever to hit Alabama. The crater is approximately 5 miles in diameter. Larger than the Barringer crater in Arizona. The impact totally devastated a 50 mile diameter circle. Thankfully only the dinosaurs saw it. http://www.auburnastro.org/wetu.htm | How to Get There: Wetumpka is south of Birmingham. Take I 65 south to SRD 14 turn east to Wetumpka. |
| Grade this Location: B | |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Camera 2. . | Helpful notes to newcomers: There are a number of sites around the rem of the crater. The city of Wetumpka has yearly tours each March. |
| Location #7: General description: | How to get there: |
| Grade this site: (A to F) | GPS Coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. 2. 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: |
| VIDEO FROM THIS AREA Upload a YouTube or Google video of geocaching or treasure hunting excursions from this area. |
 About this video: Video submitted by: | About this video: Video submitted by: |
| About this video: Video submitted by: | About this video: Video submitted by: |
| PHOTOS FROM THIS AREA Upload pictures of your geocaching or treasure hunting excursions from this area. |
| About this photo: Alabama Brilliant Wood - The interior of the wood is covered with Smokey quartz (weight 65 pounds) Photo submitted by: Bill Reynolds  | About this photo: Alabama Paint Rock Door Knocker Sizr Pendant of Black Onyx and Agate Photo submitted by:Bill Reynolds  |
 About this photo: Alabama Paint Rock Agate Nodule weight 7 pounds - Bright red fortification agate. Location; Rattlesnake Site - Trenton Alabama Photo submitted by: Bill Reynolds | About this photo: Geode collected at Athens Alabama - lined with quartz crystals Photo submitted by: Bill Reynolds |
| MORE ALABAMA LOCATIONS: |
| Birmingham >>>>>> | Mobile >>>>>> |
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gamaliel114 |
Latest page update: made by gamaliel114
, Sep 8 2009, 5:48 PM EDT
(about this update
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| mlhudson | Southeast Treasure Hnters Club | 0 | Sep 24 2009, 4:28 PM EDT by mlhudson | ||
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Thread started: Sep 24 2009, 4:28 PM EDT
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We are a family based metal detecting club in North East Alabama. around the Gadsden area. We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
JOIN OUR FORUM AT , www.southeasttreasurehunters.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gadsden-AL/Southeast-Treasure-Hunters-Club/126001884370?v=app_2309869772e |
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| hotdeal98765 | Location | 10 | Aug 26 2009, 9:23 PM EDT by aubreyreynolds9@gmai | ||
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Thread started: Aug 21 2009, 7:56 PM EDT
Watch
I keep reading about Rattle Snake Hallow in Alabama. Does anyone know where it is located ? Would like to go there on 08/22/09.
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| gamaliel114 | Alabama | 0 | Aug 2 2009, 12:13 AM EDT by gamaliel114 | ||
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