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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
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| Jul 7 2008, 9:06 PM EDT | aubreyreynolds9@gmai | 29 words added, 17 words deleted |
| Jun 23 2008, 10:21 PM EDT | aubreyreynolds9@gmai | 7 words added, 1 photo added, 1 photo deleted |
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| TREASURE HUNTING IN OREGON Add what you know about this area to create a handy guide for other treasure hunters. |
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| What this area is known for: 1. Biggs Jasper 2. Thundereggs 3. Dechutes Jasper 4. Agates 5. Petrified wood 6. Sunstone 7. Opal 8. Owyhee Picture Jasper 9. Fossils 10 Gold 11. Mineral Specimens | Biggest finds in this area: 1. A 300 carat flawless Sunstone found at Spectrum Mine 2. Highly valued and prized jaspers and agates. 3. 315 carat precious opal found in the Opal Butte mines 4. |
| Local appraisers: 1. Name, contact info/website 2. 3. 4. | Local geocaching/treasure hunting clubs: 1. List of clubs nation wide http://www.amfed.org/ 2. 3. 4. |
| Best time of year to go: Oregon is where rockhounds go when they die. There are scores of great treasure sites. The best time of the year depends upon where in Oregon you plan to go and the elevation. The climate averages in January 45F on the coast to 25F in the southeast.July mean temperatures average is 65F in the central plateau to 70 F in the east. | Other helpful resources: 1. Rockhound Map from the US Forest Service www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/rockhounding/map.shtml 2. "Gem Trails of Oregon" by James Mitchell 3. Prineville a Rockhound Paradise http://www.visitprineville.com/ |
| 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: Owyhee Mountains General description: Near the top of my favorite agates is Graveyard Plume from the Owyhee mountains of eastern Oregon. The colors vary from creams to yellows, pinks and blues. The polished pieces explode with feathery plumes of delicate texture and pastel colors. The agate forms in seams in basalt and requires hard rock mining. There is plenty of agate in the area so an enthusiastic prospector should go away happy. I have a piece that weighs in excess of 75 pounds. | How to get there: Just south of Homedale Idaho and just two miles into Oregon.Oregon is the famous Graveyard Point site.. From Homedale drive south on HWY 95 2.7 miles to Graveyard Point Road . Turn west and travel until4.8 miles to the roadfootbridge ends.across Turnthe leftcanal. andThe traveltrail toup the Bureauhill ofleads Landto Managementone Signof andtwo turnsites in the right.area. Do you want to see how unbeatable this agate is: http://www.erniel.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=636 |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | Coordinates: E 1/2, NW 1/4, sec. 26, T. 3 N., R. 6 W., Owyhee County, Idaho, Graveyard Point Quadrangle, Oregon-Idaho |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Buckets or Back pack 2.Shovel and pick 3.Rock Hammer 4. Pry bar 4. Water | Helpful notes to newcomers: The entire Owyhee area has a variety of famous gemstones. If you can not find gemstones in this area you should find a new hobby. |
| Location #2: Spectrum Mine - featured on Cash & Treasures General description: Oregon Sunstone became the state gemstone in 1987. The gems are a plagioclase feldspar formed in basalt lava flows that cover much of southeast Oregon. The Spectrum mine in part of 40 mining claims operated by High Desert Gems & Minerals. Spectrum mine is open to the public for a daily fee. The mine was once owned by Tiffany's of New York. | How to get there: The following link gives detailed directions to the mine: http://www.highdesertgemsandminerals.com/index.htm The mine is 23 miles from Plush, Oregon. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: Latitude: 42 25 11.84 N; Longitude: 119 54 34.25 W |
| Handy to bring along: 1.1/4 " mesh screens 2.Hammer & chisel 3.Rock pick 4. Buckets 5. Plastic bags | Helpful notes to newcomers: Primitive camping is available at the site but there are no RV hook ups. However, there are a number of camping sites and RV pull overs. Well water is available. |
| Becky Worley found a Sunstone valued at between $5000 - $6000. Read all about it! http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Cash_and_Treasures/ci.Sunstones_-_Becky.show?vgnextfmt=show |
| Location #3: Richardson' Rock Ranch General description: The Richardson's have a variety Thunderegg and ledge agate. The list of digging sites includes:Pony Butte, Blue Bed, Red Bed,Moss bed, Flat Bed, and Opal Bed. The different sites are from easy digging to expert digging. Even if you don't dig the rockshop is worth visiting. | How to get there: Take HWY 75 North from Madras untill you come to mile post 81. You will see the Richardson sign. Follow the signs for approximately 3 miles. The following link gives the information on the site: http://richardsonrockranch.com/index.html |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: N 44 43.956 W 120 58.564 |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Pick 2.Bucket 3.Rock hammer 4. Shovel | Helpful notes to newcomers: The fee is based upon the weight of the material collected. The current price is $0.75 per pound. |
| Location #4: Oregon Beaches - especially around Newport General description: The beaches of Oregon are littered with a sampling of the amazing rocks and minerals of Oregon. Agates are the prize that most rockhounds go after; however colorful jaspers and even bloodstones are found. Since the gravels and cobbles are a mixture of Oregon rocks, keep an eye out for petrified wood and marine fossils. The best part is that it is free. For more information: http://4facets.com/polished_AccentStones.html | How to get there: Newport is at the intersection of HWY 101 and HWY 20. The Oregon coast is a treasure in and of itself. I have included links to area attractions and places to stay or eat. http://www.aquarium.org/ http://www.newportoregon.com/ http://www.visittheoregoncoast.com/ |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Bucket 2.Hand tool 3.Sun screen | Helpful notes to newcomers: The Oregon waves can be impressive, so be careful when collecting near the surf. Keep an eye on the breakers especially with young children around.The smaller stones are ideal for a tumbler, however, you might find a fist size keeper. |
| Location #5: White Fir Springs General description: Oregon thunderegg site courtesy of the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce. The thundereggs contain jasper or agate cores in a diamond shaped center. | How to get there: Drive east out of Prineville on HWY 26 to mile post 41and turn left on 3359. Drive approximately 5.5 miles until you reach the sign : Chamber of Commerce Claim. You made it to the jasper site. For the agate filled site turn right before the sign. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Small Pick 2.Shovel 3.Bucket | Helpful notes to newcomers: Thundereggs have been collected for years don't expect surface float. It will require some elbow grease to recover the thundereggs, |
| Location #6: Glass Butte General description: Glass Butte is one of the best sites anywhere to collect Obsidian. Technically Obsidian is not a mineral but occurs when Basalt cools quickly forming a volcanic glass. Several types of Obsidian are found at Glass Butte including black, silver sheen, mahogany,fire etc, | How to get there: Ten miles southeast of Hampton on HWY 20, turn south on Obsidian Road. Follow this road until the roads tees. Your are at Glass Butte www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/rockhounding |
| Grade this location:(A to F) A | GPS Coordinates |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Gloves 2.Rock Hammer 3. safety glasses | Helpful notes to newcomers: Obsidian can be very sharp. Be careful when handling broken shards. |
| Location #7: Madras - Jefferson County General description: Several sites are in the area including: McDonald Ranch, Marston Ranch, Nartz Ranch, Friend Ranch, Ochs Ranch, and the Richardson's Recreation Ranch. The McDonald Ranch was featured on "Cash and Treasures". The sites are known for petrified wood, thundereggs, and agates. All these sites have great collecting materials. | How to get there: The Richardson's Rock ranch is featured in Location #3. The McDonald Ranch is by appointment only: McDonalds Ranch Ashwood, Oregon Phone: (541) 489-3290 The following link gives information on the sites in the area: http://www.madraschamber.com/rockhounding.cfm |
| Grade this location: A | GPS Coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Pick 2.Shovel 3.Buckets 4.Rock Hammer 5. Gloves | Helpful notes to newcomers: There are a number of sites in the area, and I have included a link for lodging and food. http://www.madraschamber.com/ |
| Kristen's report on Oregon Petrified Wood http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Cash_and_Treasures/ci.Petrified_Wood_Blog.show?vgnextfmt=show |
| Location #8: (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 Upload a YouTube or Google video of geocaching or treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
| FINDING GOLD! About this video: 6 lbs of a summer gold strike filmed as it happened. Location was the 1st bar S. of the I-5 bridge on the Umpqua River. Still possible to take an ounce a day from this river anywhere from Myrtle Creek down to the sea. Was passed by the big commercial steam dredges of old. Video submitted by: goldfla |  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 treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
 About this photo: T-Egg Heaven- Steve takes a Break Photo submitted by: Sage Brush Miners |  About this photo: T-Egg from T-Egg Heaven Photo submitted by: Sage Brush Miners |
 About this photo: Photo submitted by: | About this photo: Photo submitted by: |
