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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| May 25 2008, 11:38 PM EDT | aubreyreynolds9@gmai | 32 words added |
| May 13 2008, 8:25 AM EDT | aubreyreynolds9@gmai | 1 word added, 1 word deleted |
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| TREASURE HUNTING IN TEXAS 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. Blue topaz - the state gem 2. Fossils 3. Plume, moss, banded and other agates 4. Petrified wood | Biggest finds in this area: 1.Blue Topaz - 1,296-gram topaz crystal on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. 2. Petrified palm wood around south east Texas is the state stone. It is prized for attractive jewelry. http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Texas/Petrified_Palmwood_Stone.html 3. Fossils |
| Local appraisers: 1. Name, contact info/website 2. 3. 4. | Local geocaching/treasure hunting clubs: 1. http://www.amfed.org/ 2. 3. 4. |
| Best time of year to go: Texas is big state, It's climate and topography varies greatly from region to region. Some sites would be great in the winter others you would shiver in the cold. Check the individual area for the best seasons. | Other helpful resources: (newspapers, websites, etc) 1. http://www.geology.sfasu.edu/TexasGeology.html 2. http://www.beg.utexas.edu/ 3. |
| 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: Woodward Ranch General description: One of my favorite agate types anywhere - Woodward Ranch Red Plume Agate and another 60 types of gemstones and agates can be found. | How to get there: The ranch is located on HWY 118 about 16 miles south of Alpine Texas. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Digging tools - pick shovel 2. Gloves 3. Safety Glasses 4. Buckets | Helpful notes to newcomers: There are thousands of acres to prospect. Primitive camping, RV hook-ups and cabins for the tenderfoot are available. http://www.woodwardranch.net/index.htm |
| Location #2: Lake Texoma - Ammonites (Local beach, park, etc) General description: Texas Lower Cretaceous Fossils including large (dinner plate and larger) ammonites.If you are into fossils this is the real thing. An ammonite is a cephalopod with a flat spiral shell. Simply put it is a squid on the half shell. I went on a field trip with a geologist and waded a creek that flowed into the lake and almost could not carry the fossils out. One ammonite was 18 inches in diameter. | How to get there: Lake Texoma is on the border between Texas and Oklahoma. The fossils extend into Oklahoma. Search the lake shore, exposed bluffs and creeks leading into the lake. Where to stay: This is a resort area with plenty of places to stay. The following web site lists resorts and attractions. http://www.laketexomaonline.com/home.asp |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Pick 2.Small sledge hammer 3.Pry bar 4.Safety glasses 5. Rock bag | Helpful notes to newcomers: If you are into fossils you will love this site. It can be family friendly if you are just wanting to walk the shores. My wife and I will stop at the dam on our way to Dallas and walk the shores at the park and enjoy the beauty. When the bluebonnets are in bloom it is an incredible sight. www.statesymbolsusa.org/Texas/Flower_Bluebonnet.html |
| Location #3: Sequist Ranch General description: The Llano uplift is a mineral rich area of Texas. The geology is ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks. Texas topaz is the treasure that most prospectors come to find. Although there are numerous places to search, the Sequist Ranch offers camping , RV hookups and Texas hospitality. | How to get there: Sequist Ranch is on HWY 377 about 6 miles west of Mason. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/29Mas.htm ia an excellent web site for rockhounding the area. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Pick and shovel 2. Screen 3.Gloves 4. Rock bag or bucket | Helpful notes to newcomers: Please leave this site better than you found it. Don't mess with Texas -remove trash. In addition to topaz, there is quartz of different colors. |
| Location #4: Lake Toledo Bend area of east Texas - Petrified Wood General description: The petrified wood region extends from east Texas to Louisiana. The most sought after prize is Petrified Palm Wood. Most wood is cream colored, however, the black and red brings the premium price. The petrified wood is found in Oligocene age Catahoula Formation. | How to get there: Toledo Bend is on the border between Texas and Louisiana. Wood can be found on the shores and creeks leading into the lake. Petrified wood can also be found at Sam Rayburn reservoir. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Shovel 2.Pick 3.Buckets | Helpful notes to newcomers: South Toledo Bend State Park is a great place to stay. http://www.toledo-bend.com/attractions/index.asp?request=stbsp |
| Location #5: North Sulfur River General description: The Sulfur River exposes Cretaceous Age marine fossils ( shells, shark teeth, and even mosasaur fossils) plus petrified wood. | How to get there: The town of Ladonia, Texas offers a park next to the river to access the river bed. (More Texas hospitality.) Ladonia is on HWY 50 north east of Dallas. This link is to an amazing web site for the Sulfur River fossil site: http://www.frankpoye.com/fossilosophy/ There are a number of bridges that cross the river. I have searched below HWY 24 south of Paris and collected fossils. |
| Grade this location: (A to F): A if the conditions are right | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Digging Tools - small shovel, hank pick 2. Buckets or rock bag 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: Your luck is dependent upon the river. If the water is to high you are out of luck. The pickings are best after the water recedes from heavy rains that have eroded the banks. |
| Location #6: General description: | How to get there: |
| Rate 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. |
 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 treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
 About this photo: Two stumps of Petrified Palm wood and one piece of black wood. Photo submitted by: Bill Reynolds |  About this photo: Photo submitted by: |
| About this photo: Photo submitted by: | About this photo: Photo submitted by: |
