2013 SHOW FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE (Update!)

Morning field trips will depart from the entrance to the gem and mineral show at 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon field trips will depart from the entrance at 1:00 p.m.

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY.

MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE IS FUELED, AND YOU HAVE PLENTY OF DRINKING WATER.

SATURDAY AUG. 31
Saturday’s morning trip will be an educational tour with Mary Dowse that will introduce participants to the dominant kinds of rocks found in Silver City and weave the story of the region’s geologic history. We will be driving west, stopping at several locations where the rocks tell the story. The route will be suitable for any vehicle, and there will not be a lot of walking.
  
On Saturday afternoon we’ll drive out Highway 180 past Gila to look for fluorite on Turkey Creek Road. The last several miles will be on a rough gravel road, so high clearance is recommended. The best hunting involves a short but difficult and strenuous hike up a steep ravine, but small samples can usually be found near the road. Afterwards, you may enjoy a short drive down to cool your feet in the Gila River.

SUNDAY SEPT. 1

Sylveen Cook’s Sunday morning adventure will cover early mining areas and practices near Pinos Altos, the site of Grant County’s 1860s gold rush that included the noted historical figure, George Hearst. Driving should be no problem, but some walking over uneven terrain may be involved.

Sunday afternoon we head up to our geode claim where a little digging may turn up some nodules with banded (fortification) agate in whites, blues, grays, and sometimes a splash of orange. Often you can find great little samples on the surface if you’re not into hard labor. The gravel road up to Bear Mountain is usually passable by all vehicles, but rainy weather can make it treacherous. The walking terrain is uneven, but not particularly challenging. Further down the road (high clearance from this point on) you can look for more agate and a few fossils.

MONDAY SEPT. 2

Jack Cunningham will show Monday morning participants some of the oldest rocks on earth during a geological road trip from Acklin Canyon (near Mimbres) along highways 152 and 180 to Chloride Flat and Silver City. We will caravan in our own vehicles with roadside stops—no walking necessary.

Our Monday afternoon collecting trip will be a short drive east on Highway 180 to look for Ft. Bayard orthoclase crystals. We will park just off the pavement and hike about ¾ of a mile to the collecting area near Twin Sisters Creek. The terrain is uneven but not difficult. Some low hill climbing is optional.


SPECIAL TOUR AT THE GEM AND MINERAL SHOW   CANCELED

As a bonus field trip for the Annual Gem and Mineral Show, the Grant County Rolling Stones has invited Terry Humble, local author and historian, back this year to give his popular tour of area mines. The approximately two-hour bus ride (with no bathroom breaks—sorry!) will stop at various historical mines and sites where Terry will inform and amuse you with stories of the past.


The tour will leave from the entrance of the Show at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Labor Day, September 2. We will not be taking advance reservations, but space on the bus is limited so show up early.

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE.
CARPOOLING IS RECOMMENDED WHEN APPROPRIATE.
TRIPS MAY BE CANCELED DUE TO RAIN.