Wiley’s
Well Annual Thanksgiving Rockhound Round-up November 22-25, 2012
This trip is open to
all CFMS Affiliated Society Members and their guests that agree to abide by the
AFMS Code of Ethics, the directions of the field trip leader, and practice safe
rockhounding. A Consent and Assumption of Risk Waiver of Liability form must be
signed upon arriving at the campsite.
TRIP LOCATION: The Wiley Well District is 10 miles southwest of Blythe, CA and is one of the most popular collecting areas on the Colorado Desert.
WHEN: Thanksgiving Weekend, November 22-25, 2011. There will be folks camping all week.
LEADERS: Robert Sankovich and Adam Dean and Please notify us, if you plan on attending.
Feel free to email or call us if you have any questions or need more information: Robert Sankovich (805) 494-734, rmsorca@adelphia.net
Adam Dean: (909) 489-4899, theagatehunter@verizon.net
DIRECTIONS TO CAMPSITE: From the 10 Freeway, exit on Wiley Well Road and turn south from the freeway, 14 miles to camp. Around a mile or two down the road, the pavement will turn towards the right. Don’t follow that road; stay straight onto the dirt road. Stay on this dirt road past Fire Agate Mine and the Coon Hollow Rd. You will see CFMS Posts along the way to the campground.
COLLECTING TRIPS: Open to all CFMS affiliated society members and their guests. Each day we will leave camp at 8:00am and return in the late afternoon. Thanksgiving Day when we will be back in time for our Potluck Dinner at 4:00 pm. Be sure to carry your lunch and water when we go to the collecting sites, we will not come back to camp during the day.
TRIP LOCATION: The Wiley Well District is 10 miles southwest of Blythe, CA and is one of the most popular collecting areas on the Colorado Desert.
WHEN: Thanksgiving Weekend, November 22-25, 2011. There will be folks camping all week.
LEADERS: Robert Sankovich and Adam Dean and Please notify us, if you plan on attending.
Feel free to email or call us if you have any questions or need more information: Robert Sankovich (805) 494-734, rmsorca@adelphia.net
Adam Dean: (909) 489-4899, theagatehunter@verizon.net
DIRECTIONS TO CAMPSITE: From the 10 Freeway, exit on Wiley Well Road and turn south from the freeway, 14 miles to camp. Around a mile or two down the road, the pavement will turn towards the right. Don’t follow that road; stay straight onto the dirt road. Stay on this dirt road past Fire Agate Mine and the Coon Hollow Rd. You will see CFMS Posts along the way to the campground.
COLLECTING TRIPS: Open to all CFMS affiliated society members and their guests. Each day we will leave camp at 8:00am and return in the late afternoon. Thanksgiving Day when we will be back in time for our Potluck Dinner at 4:00 pm. Be sure to carry your lunch and water when we go to the collecting sites, we will not come back to camp during the day.
22nd – Petrified Bay Laurel-Iron Wood by Colorado River, AZ.
we will meet at Ehrenberg 8:30am.
23rd – Pebble Terrace, Fire agate, Psilomelane.
24th – Geode and Nodules
Beds, Straw Beds, Black Agate Beds, Saddle Beds
VEHICLES: On the 23rd, a
4-wheel drive vehicle “is” necessary to get to Fire Agate. We will make
arrangements for those without a 4-wheel drive to ride with those who do. On
the 24th trip, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is not a “must” for this trip, but is
highly recommended. No low-clearance vehicles advised. These sites are remote,
so bring food, water and all required supplies. The nearest stores are in
Blythe, California.
CAMPGROUNDS & FACILITIES: This is a dry camping area, no water, no services, no hookups, no toilets. There is a dump station at the rest stop at the Wiley Well exit off I-10; however, there is no potable water. Blythe has a free dump station and good water 2-blocks south of I-10 at the Lovkin Ave. exit. Blythe is also good place to get food, supplies, ice and gasoline. It is approximately 25 miles from Blythe to the campsite. There are numerous good motels in Blythe with a wide range of rates. The closest town to the campsite is Palo Verde, approximately 16 miles through Coon Hollow and over the Mule Mtns. There is a convenience store (food, etc.), gasoline, a couple of restaurants and rock shop in Palo Verde, the road is okay for 4-wheel drive vehicles but not 2-wheel drive vehicle.
CLIMATE & WEATHER: We are planning on nice weather—sunny days; cool, clear, star filled nights. But remember it can rain and be windy this time of year so be prepared and plan ahead. MATERIAL TO COLLECT: Fire agate, geodes and a large variety of miscellaneous fossils, limestone, jasper, petrified wood, agates and very old Stromatolites, Psilomelane, Black Agates, geodes and nodules.
COLLECTING MATERIALS/TOOLS: There will be surface collecting and the use of sturdy bags will be all you need. However, if you plan on digging fire agates, you need hard rock tools, safety glasses, hat, hand sledge, gloves, buckets and chisels. It may be wise to carry a first aid kit. If you plan on digging for geodes, you need hard rock tools, as well as, picks, shovels, and I recommend a dust mask, as the volcanic ash may irritate your lungs. Sturdy bags, hard rock tools, safety glasses and gloves. It may be wise to carry a first-aid kit and sun tan lotion.
CLOTHING: Wear clothing in layers as it can be very warm during the day and extremely cold at night. Bring extra jackets and blankets.
DINNER: 4:00 pm. Thanksgiving potluck dinner for all those willing to contribute. Please bring your own plates, utensils, drinks and chair. We welcome everyone. If you plan to join us for dinner bring a food dish, salad, not to many desserts, we want to make sure we have food.
REMINDER: Please help preserve our deserts and pack out what you pack in. Let’s leave it clean for future Rockhounds. All those attending the collecting trips will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver form.
Please let me know if you are going to go on the field trip, weather changes. If I don't know you’re going on the field trip, I won’t be able to contact you if the field trip is canceled. Even if you might not go, still contact me for the information and maps. Don't wait until the day before, sometimes I leave days before the field trip and I won't be able to reply to you. I have a White Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4x4 truck, with CFMS signs on it.
E-mail for maps.
For more info contact CAMS-South Co-chairs:
Robert Sankovich rmsorca@adelphia.net
(805) 494-7734
Adam Dean: theagatehunter@verizon.net
(909) 489-4899
CAMPGROUNDS & FACILITIES: This is a dry camping area, no water, no services, no hookups, no toilets. There is a dump station at the rest stop at the Wiley Well exit off I-10; however, there is no potable water. Blythe has a free dump station and good water 2-blocks south of I-10 at the Lovkin Ave. exit. Blythe is also good place to get food, supplies, ice and gasoline. It is approximately 25 miles from Blythe to the campsite. There are numerous good motels in Blythe with a wide range of rates. The closest town to the campsite is Palo Verde, approximately 16 miles through Coon Hollow and over the Mule Mtns. There is a convenience store (food, etc.), gasoline, a couple of restaurants and rock shop in Palo Verde, the road is okay for 4-wheel drive vehicles but not 2-wheel drive vehicle.
CLIMATE & WEATHER: We are planning on nice weather—sunny days; cool, clear, star filled nights. But remember it can rain and be windy this time of year so be prepared and plan ahead. MATERIAL TO COLLECT: Fire agate, geodes and a large variety of miscellaneous fossils, limestone, jasper, petrified wood, agates and very old Stromatolites, Psilomelane, Black Agates, geodes and nodules.
COLLECTING MATERIALS/TOOLS: There will be surface collecting and the use of sturdy bags will be all you need. However, if you plan on digging fire agates, you need hard rock tools, safety glasses, hat, hand sledge, gloves, buckets and chisels. It may be wise to carry a first aid kit. If you plan on digging for geodes, you need hard rock tools, as well as, picks, shovels, and I recommend a dust mask, as the volcanic ash may irritate your lungs. Sturdy bags, hard rock tools, safety glasses and gloves. It may be wise to carry a first-aid kit and sun tan lotion.
CLOTHING: Wear clothing in layers as it can be very warm during the day and extremely cold at night. Bring extra jackets and blankets.
DINNER: 4:00 pm. Thanksgiving potluck dinner for all those willing to contribute. Please bring your own plates, utensils, drinks and chair. We welcome everyone. If you plan to join us for dinner bring a food dish, salad, not to many desserts, we want to make sure we have food.
REMINDER: Please help preserve our deserts and pack out what you pack in. Let’s leave it clean for future Rockhounds. All those attending the collecting trips will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver form.
Please let me know if you are going to go on the field trip, weather changes. If I don't know you’re going on the field trip, I won’t be able to contact you if the field trip is canceled. Even if you might not go, still contact me for the information and maps. Don't wait until the day before, sometimes I leave days before the field trip and I won't be able to reply to you. I have a White Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4x4 truck, with CFMS signs on it.
E-mail for maps.
For more info contact CAMS-South Co-chairs:
Robert Sankovich rmsorca@adelphia.net
(805) 494-7734
Adam Dean: theagatehunter@verizon.net
(909) 489-4899