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New MexicoThis is a featured page


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TREASURE HUNTING IN NEW MEXICO
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What this area is known for:
1. Fluorite
2. Selenite
3. Agate
4. Jasper
5. Turquoise
6. Gold
7. Petrified wood
8. Smithsonite		 Biggest finds in this area:
1. Large blue and purple fluorites

2.

3.
Local appraisers:
1. Name, contact info/website
2.
3.
4.		 Local geocaching/treasure hunting clubs:
1. ENMU Geology Club, email carnesj@enmu.edu
2.
3.
4.
Best time of year to go: New Mexico has varied climate from snow in the mountains to sub tropical in the south. Collecting depends upon where you are going. The south is best in the cooler months. Other helpful resources:

1. http://home.flash.net/~summit1/collect/rockhoundranch.htm
2. http://www.casitasdegila.com/rockhounding.html
3. http://www.royalscepter.com/
4. http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/faq/minerals/
Have a question about treasure hunting or geocaching in this region?
THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT
Regions can have multiple good spots to go — add details to build a complete guide.
Location #1: Rockhound State Park


General description: Rugged slopes of the Florida and Little Florida Mountains are home to Rockhound State Park. Hiking trails offer views of nearby "sky islands." Agates and quartz crystals can be found at the park.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/Rockhound.htm		 How to get there: To get to Rockhound State Park from Deming, take NM 11 south for 5 miles, and then go east on NM 141 for about 9 miles.
Grade this location: (A to F): GPS coordinates:

Handy to bring along:
1. Rock Hammer
2. Chisel
3. Collecting Bucket
4. Shovel		 Helpful notes to newcomers:
Facilities Activities
Visitor Center
Camping
Group Shelter
Picnicking
Developed Sites (29)
Wildlife Viewing
Electric Sites
Hiking
RV Dump Station
Interpretive Exhibits
Restrooms/Showers
 Playground

Location #2: Kelly Mine




General description: World class Smithsonite specimens can be collected from tons of stockpiled ore.		 How to get there:
Take I-25 South from Albuquerque to Socorro. Then HWY 60 west 26 miles. Turn at Kelly Road and go 3.2 miles South.
Grade this location: (A to F): GPS coordinates:

Handy to bring along:
1. Collecting bucket
2. Hand tools
3. Rock hammer		 Helpful notes to newcomers:
For more information:
http://www.mmmgems.com/kelly_mine/index.htm

Location #3: Casitas de Gila Guesthouse



General description:
  • 226 acres of private lands with lots of interesting rocks and gemstones right on the property. Minerals found are white and pink chalcedony, chalcedony roses, red, brown and yellow jasper, jasper breccia, picture jasper, banded agate, zeolites, geodes, massive hematite, banded rhyolite, andesite, volcanic bombs, scoria, limonite and hematite-banded welded tuff, and lots of really nice colorful rocks!








    		• How to get there:
    CASITAS DE GILA GUESTHOUSES
    Becky & Michael O'Connor, Owners
    50 Casita Flats Road (Off Hooker Loop)
    P.O. Box 325 • Gila, New Mexico 88038 • USA
    Tel: 575-535-4455 • Fax 575-535-4456
    rockhound new mexico
    Grade this location: (A to F): GPS coordinates:

    Handy to bring along:
    1. Collecting bag
    2. Rock hammer
    3.     Hand tools    		 Helpful notes to newcomers:
    Grant County, with its county seat in Silver City, lies at the heart of this vast mineralized area and is New Mexico’s richest mineral producing county.

    Location #4: The Blanchard Rock Shop

    General description:The "local" collecting area is located here in the world famous Hansonburg Mining District, which is also known as the Blanchard Claims. This district is considered one of the "richest" when it comes to the variety of mineral species it produces, which is over 80 different ones; including Fluorite, Barite, Galena, Quartz and Smoky Quartz.     		How to get there:
    Highway 380, about 1 hour and 45 minutes south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Socorro County. It is halfway between San Antonio and Carrizozo at mile marker 30 on U.S. Highway 380, in the "town" of Bingham, New Mexico.

    For more information:
    http://www.peaktopeak.com/blanchard/
    Grade this location: (A to F):B GPS coordinates:

    Handy to bring along:
    1.
    2.
    3.    		 Helpful notes to newcomers:We do recommend that you call a few days prior to coming out to make sure that we are open and that the roads to the mining claim are passable. Also, if you need RV hook-ups, we can provide them.

    Location #5: KILBOURNE HOLE

    General description:Kilbourne Hole is one of several volcanic maars located in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Volcanic maars are unusual volcanic features, and Kilbourne is probably the best example to be seen anywhere in the world. With a lot of work and effort gem grade peridot can be collected.
    http://www.mtlilygems.com/mineinfo/KHinfo.html    		 How to get there:
    From El Paso Texas take TX 178 West the road will become New Mexico 136 continue 6.4 miles and turn right on Columbus Road/ NM-9. Drive 16.2 miles and turn right on CR-008 until you reach CR-AO11 and turn right and continue 3.7 miles.
    Grade this location: (A to F): GPS coordinates:

    Handy to bring along:
    1.Water
    2.Rock hammer
    3. Collecting bucket    		 Helpful notes to newcomers: Collecting conditions at Kilbourne Hole can be extreme with intense summer heat in excess of 100°F and freezing temperature in winter. Spring time, March in particular, can be
    very windy with violent dust storms.

    Location #6:
    (Local beach, park, etc)


    General description:    		 How to get there:
    Grade this location: (A to F): GPS coordinates:

    Handy to bring along:
    1.
    2.
    3.    		 Helpful notes to newcomers:


    VIDEO FROM THIS AREA
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    National Directory page - Travel Channel Cash and Treasures

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    PHOTOS FROM THIS AREA
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    National Directory page - Travel Channel Cash and Treasures
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    gamaliel114
    gamaliel114     		Latest page update: made by gamaliel114 , Aug 9 2009, 5:17 PM EDT (about this update About This Update gamaliel114 Edited by gamaliel114

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    Keyword tags: geocaching directory national directory state by state directory treasure hunting
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    Threads for this page

    Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
    joebit New Mexico Rock Hunting Sites 5 Mar 29 2009, 1:22 PM EDT by dbsagates
    Thread started: Mar 27 2009, 1:12 PM EDT  Watch
    My family and I are heading to Albuquerque in late June to visit some friends. We would really appreciate any info on rock hunting sites within an hour or so of that area. While she's visiting, I'm planning on going out for some hunting fun. I already have a "Gems and Mineral Trails" book for that area, but was hoping for some local advice as well.
    Thanks again, Joebit
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    Keyword tags: None
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    Ehrharts7 Looking for fun places in New Mexico or Colorado to hunt for treasure! 5 Jun 27 2008, 5:40 PM EDT by aubreyreynolds9@gmai
    Thread started: Jun 27 2008, 12:28 PM EDT  Watch
    We are planning a trip from Dallas to Durango Colorado and I am wanting to find some places in New Mexico or Colorado that you can hunt for treasure. If anyone knows of any places, please let me know. We will have the kiddos with us.

    Thanks!
    1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
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    nanasherri New Mexico 5 Apr 11 2008, 2:11 PM EDT by TallTomSr
    Thread started: Mar 18 2008, 1:17 PM EDT  Watch
    I have family in New Mexico and am planning a vacation to NM in May. I would like to know of any sites to find gems or minerals in this state.
    2  out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?    
    Keyword tags: gems minerals treasure hunting
    Show Last Reply
    Showing 3 of 3 threads for this page

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