Discussion: Western Washington Gem Locations?

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retiredoldfogee	Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 23 2008, 5:21 PM EST Hi All, Anybody here aware of any gem locations in Western Washington? I should clarify my request a little bit. Please do not include Agate, Clear Quartz, Jasper, or Onyx. Per metallic minerals of value such as Gold, Silver, Platinum, and other valuable commodities, I view Placer Deposits as the most likely to be specified here, therefore lets exclude creeks with minature gold dust, as most of Western Washington's gold is not found in nugget form, or sizable flakes rather it is found as dust which is not only difficult to extract, but very time consuming and difficult due to the tools needed to extract any sizable amount, not withstanding the Washington Fish and Gold Regulations make any form dust extraction as expensive and limited at least in local rivers, streams, and waterways. I would love to hear from everybody on this topic, as I think it broadly covers just about most people who treasure hunt in Washington. Sincerely, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable? Keyword tags: None
pvjjh	1. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 29 2008, 8:25 PM EST Hey Aaron, I don't know of any places to go hunt for gems. I wish I did. You may want to check out the different books of WA and also the http://www.orerockon.com/ore_rock.htm dvd. He has some WA collection sites listed. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Paul Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	2. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 29 2008, 8:32 PM EST Thanks Paul. I will check out that web page you mentioned. I find a little humor in the book titled the Gem Trails of Washington. It is a great book with many sites, however, most of the gems are Agate, or Jasper, and Quartz. LOL. There are a few books I would love to get my hands on from the 70's. Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
pvjjh	3. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 29 2008, 9:11 PM EST I agree there are very gew "gems" listed. Agates, Jasper, Quartz are cool, but they certainly are not "gems". I too would like to find some of the books prior to the 70's. Fun to read, but also may be some long forgotten dig sites. Who knows. lol Paul Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	4. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 29 2008, 10:39 PM EST I noted some of the book names I wanted a few months back, I will post them when I find or think of them. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	5. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 29 2008, 10:47 PM EST Vesper Peak is known for its World Class large Maroon/orange/brown Grossular Garnet crystals. Just curious has anybody here ever made the hike all the way over the pass to Vesper Peak? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
kntnrayn1	6. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 30 2008, 5:15 PM EST There are posted valid claims on vesper, might want to do your homeowork first. All you have to do is hike up from Monte Cristo! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
bluerock66	7. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 30 2008, 9:38 PM EST I saw on the geology adventures web page that they go out for amber somewhere in the renton area there is a link in the directory, hope that helps some Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	8. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 31 2008, 1:42 AM EST Hmmm, I've done alot of research on this trip and from what I know its a 8 mile round trip with a 4200 feet elevation gain, that starts at the Sunset Mine Trail. I made it as far as the Pass late summer of the 4 attempts I made this year with the whole family. The trail was washed out by several avalanches this year the first 1/2 mile or so, and snow covered the steep valley up to the pass as late as August. There are several mines up there, around the Lake on multiple peaks, and there is a garnet scarn area in a creek that garnets can be found. I haven't been up to Monte Cristo in a few years, and last I checked most of the bridges are washed out so its like a 3 mile hike or bike ride up to Monte Cristo, and then is there an actual trail to Vesper peak area from Monte Cristo? I read the Monte Cristo area mountain can be seen from Vesper Peak, but I had no idea it could easily be reached? I will appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
syonix	9. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 31 2008, 2:50 AM EST "Hmmm, I've done alot of research on this trip and from what I know its a 8 mile round trip with a 4200 feet elevation gain, that starts at the Sunset Mine Trail. I made it as far as the Pass late summer of the 4 attempts I made this year with the whole family. The trail was washed out by several avalanches this year the first 1/2 mile or so, and snow covered the steep valley up to the pass as late as August. There are several mines up there, around the Lake on multiple peaks, and there is a garnet scarn area in a creek that garnets can be found. I haven't been up to Monte Cristo in a few years, and last I checked most of the bridges are washed out so its like a 3 mile hike or bike ride up to Monte Cristo, and then is there an actual trail to Vesper peak area from Monte Cristo? I read the Monte Cristo area mountain can be seen from Vesper Peak, but I had no idea it could easily be reached? I will appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks, Aaron" I know that Monte Cristo is very close to Gothic Basin and that Weden Creek Trail is one bitch of a hike. Kicked my ass right up and down the mountain .. Vesper peak sounds like a similar hike,, fun fun fun let's go! ;-) I put up a page on my ordeal for those who haven't read it before.. I can't wait to go back next year when the snow clears.. Gothic Peak picture trip report.. http://americanrockhounds.wetpaint.com/page/Gothic+Peak+9%2F20-9%2F21+2008+%28WSMC+TRIP%29 Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
retiredoldfogee	10. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 31 2008, 4:02 AM EST Hi Jake, You did a great job on your Gothic Peak report, and yes it sounds alot like the hike to Vesper Peak (and I never made it all the way there). LOL, the falling over a couple days after the hike repeatably sounds familiar, My worst memory was waking up in the night with shooting pains up and down my legs and my toes with extreme cramping charlie horses, and then the girlish screams that woke my wife up. Each time I attempted the hike with my family we made it a little further. The ore there is amazing. Its everywhere up the valley, peackock ore, lots of copper ore, some crystals, and you can see stained cliffs everywhere. Actually, one of the reasons aside from those gorgeous garnets that I kept making the attempt was I figured the pain was so intense I might as well not let my conditioning go to waste. LOL. If you like Quartz Crystals I think you will find more quartz crystals then you ever need at Hansen Creek up by Snoqualmie. Most people dig them , but I found you can climb way up the mountain, and crystals are everywhere scattered throughout the soil, and below peoples holes in rocky areas where the rocks tumble down large crystal clusters can be easily found . Just look for the dirtballs. Unfortunately, my desire for Quartz Crystals was pretty much satisfied for all time thanks to Hanson Creek Crystal Area. If anybody here ever wants to make an attempt at Vesper Peak next year I am totally in. Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
rockcandyguy	11. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 31 2008, 4:17 PM EST Hi Aaron & Jake, Yes, Vesper is a beast of a hike. Its a very good idea to contact the claimowner before going to the trouble, so you don't get kicked off after the beast of a hike! You can look up any OR/WA claim owner at the BLM office in Portland. Unfortunately, they do not post this info online ... would be a good use of gov't $ to do so ... but BLM is in a budget squeeze like the rest of the world. A good reference for any mineral in WA is Bulletin 37, Inventory of Wa Minerals, published by DNR. Two volumes, Metallic & Non-Metallic, the latter of which includes gem stones. Another locale for garnets in W. Wa is Sloan Creek (T29N, R13E). Many of the Sloan garnets star, like Emerald Creek, ID, but smaller. Happy new year (looking forward to summer) Bob Post reply Do you find this valuable?
syonix	12. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 31 2008, 5:06 PM EST "Hi Jake, You did a great job on your Gothic Peak report, and yes it sounds alot like the hike to Vesper Peak (and I never made it all the way there). LOL, the falling over a couple days after the hike repeatably sounds familiar, My worst memory was waking up in the night with shooting pains up and down my legs and my toes with extreme cramping charlie horses, and then the girlish screams that woke my wife up. Each time I attempted the hike with my family we made it a little further. The ore there is amazing. Its everywhere up the valley, peackock ore, lots of copper ore, some crystals, and you can see stained cliffs everywhere. Actually, one of the reasons aside from those gorgeous garnets that I kept making the attempt was I figured the pain was so intense I might as well not let my conditioning go to waste. LOL. If you like Quartz Crystals I think you will find more quartz crystals then you ever need at Hansen Creek up by Snoqualmie. Most people dig them , but I found you can climb way up the mountain, and crystals are everywhere scattered throughout the soil, and below peoples holes in rocky areas where the rocks tumble down large crystal clusters can be easily found . Just look for the dirtballs. Unfortunately, my desire for Quartz Crystals was pretty much satisfied for all time thanks to Hanson Creek Crystal Area. If anybody here ever wants to make an attempt at Vesper Peak next year I am totally in. Thanks, Aaron" Thanks for the info. I am going to make it to Hansen sometime in 2009 for sure as my lust for quartz crystals remains unfulfilled after the Gothic trip. Pain in the legs sounds exactly right.. lol Vesper sounds absoltuly fun. If you remember about this email next year when the snow melts let's try I'm totally in! Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
retiredoldfogee	13. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Dec 31 2008, 6:08 PM EST Thanks Bob! Those are great suggestions:) I will definitely check out the 2 volumes of Bulletin 37 you mentioned. I also want to mention a resource I haven't actually used yet, but I thought it will be a good place to try is The Washington Geology Library at the Washington State capitol in Olympia: The library serves employees of all branches and agencies of government (federal, state, and local), geotechnical consultants, geology professors and students, and the public. The library is currently housed in the Room 173 of the Natural Resources Building in Olympia. Besides collecting all items on the geology of Washington State, the Library maintains an online, searchable catalog — the Bibliography of Washington Geology. Library Address: 1111 Washington Street SE, Room 173 P.O. Box 47007 Olympia, WA 98504-7007 Library Contact: Lee Walkling Senior Librarian Washington Geology Library 360-902-1473 Fax 360-902-1785 lee.walkling@dnr.wa.gov The Washington Geology Library is the largest collection of material on Washington Geology in the world. Our collection includes: * More than 30,000 titles on Washington geology * More than 3,000 Washington topographic and geologic maps * 7,000 reprints of journal articles * Over 50,000 volumes about general geology, mining, and the geology of other states * A comprehensive set of dissertations and theses related to Washington geology * The entire set of publications of the Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources * An extensive collection of U.S. Geological Survey publications * Historical topographic maps at 1:24,000, 1:62,500, and 1:125,000 scale * The Washington coal mine map collection * The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Library * Environmental Impact Statements and watershed analyses Post reply 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
rockcandyguy	14. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Jan 1 2009, 12:08 AM EST The Geology Library is the place to go! I've spent many hours there, the staff is super helpful, and they have lots of out-of-print refs. Look up the bibliographies by Connie Manson. The notes which accompany their reconaisance surveys are quite useful also. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
retiredoldfogee	15. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Jan 25 2009, 2:12 AM EST Red Ruby and Blue Sapphires can be found at Tunk Creek, Riverside, Washington (Okanagon County): http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=48%C2%B034'N+,+119%C2%B029'W&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.435463,78.222656&ie=UTF8&ll=48.562721,-119.477134&spn=0.013633,0.038066&t=p&z=15 Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
retiredoldfogee	16. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Jan 25 2009, 2:27 AM EST A quick note for my own reference as well as others, the rubies and sapphires are noted as being in gravel beds along the creek, and can be found inside the Thulite the area is famous for both in the Blue and pink rocks. Another note: area has Rattle snakes so early trips may be advantageous to avoid being bitten since they hibernate in the colder months. Thanks, Aaron Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
pvjjh	17. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Jan 25 2009, 2:21 PM EST Great info Aaron. Thanks for sharing, I may have to check this out. I had heard of the area. I just didn't know much about it. I think there is an old mine right in the area too. Yeah the snattle rakes are around but if'n you make enough noise they will generally run off for cover. August may be the worst time when they shed their skin and can be blind for a while. Then they don't make much noise and will strike at most anything the bugs them. But early is good and it is cooler too. However, there is also ticks and lyme diease. So some good bug repellant would be a good idea. One thing good about the westside, their taint no snattle rakes around to bug you when you are out rockin'. Just maybe them thar sasquatch thingies - or no wait was that Tall Tom... I forgot. lol Paul Post reply Do you find this valuable?
rockcandyguy	18. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Jan 25 2009, 4:48 PM EST Not to discourage you, but I think Tunk Creek is one of those locations where an error was published long ago, and everyone since has multiplied it. It has been 20 years since I was there, but at that time, the landowners were anything but friendly (I didn't list it in my Rockhound's Guides at their request); the thulite is coarse grained, so unsuitable for anything except bookends or tabletops, and the corundum was completely non-existent. On the up-side, didn't see any rattlers or yeti either! Bob Post reply Do you find this valuable?
TallTomSr	19. RE: Western Washington Gem Locations? Jan 25 2009, 9:28 PM EST "Great info Aaron. Thanks for sharing, I may have to check this out. I had heard of the area. I just didn't know much about it. I think there is an old mine right in the area too. Yeah the snattle rakes are around but if'n you make enough noise they will generally run off for cover. August may be the worst time when they shed their skin and can be blind for a while. Then they don't make much noise and will strike at most anything the bugs them. But early is good and it is cooler too. However, there is also ticks and lyme diease. So some good bug repellant would be a good idea. One thing good about the westside, their taint no snattle rakes around to bug you when you are out rockin'. Just maybe them thar sasquatch thingies - or no wait was that Tall Tom... I forgot. lol Paul " Bob is correct about the myth of that area. ther was some found there but as bob said the land owners didn't want people tearing up their land or crossingit. I have familyover ther and they say that the gems are far and few between. so like yeti or sasquatch the myth is more common than the reality. That is of course unless your out in the woods when I am,,lol tom Post reply Do you find this valuable?

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