Near Albany, Maine, the Bumpus Quarry contains milky, rose, and smoky quartz crystals. For instance, one could head to the Singepole Mountain Quarry from Paris. Directions: From Rte. Quartz, Feldspar, Beryl, Mica, Tourmaline. of Rtes. Meteorites in Maine: Is the sky falling??? The little town of Topsham is located in Sagadahoc County, Maine. However, some sites were closed off due to intense activity and other reasons. Those interested in becoming members can visit the societys website for application details. This club is interested in teaching anyone, from the weekend hobbyist to novices up to professionals who know a thing or two. Rockhounding also known as field collecting or recreational mining is an outdoor activity in which everyday people search for valuable gems, fossils and other mineral treasures buried in the earth. I collect just about anything that has color and a crystal shape to it, said Laurier Larry Turcotte, assistant treasurer for membership of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society. Permits can be obtained at the trailhead. Rockhounds can also find green and golden beryl minerals. Some are open to the public for collecting at select times of the week, often on weekends. The museum also offers information about rockhounding in the area, including directions to rockhounding sites that are open to the general public. After all, we dont want the entire world digging into every great spot, do we? With its rustic guest cabins and large dining hall that doubles as a museum of local minerals, Poland Mining Camps is the closest thing Ive found to a place that reproduces the three happy summers I spent at camp as a youngster. You might also find mica, albite, columbite, fluorite, fluorapatite, feldspar, and almandine garnets. From the South: From Maine Route 5 in Lovell, Maine turn west onto West Lovell Road and cross the narrows at Kezar Lake continuing to the right for approximately 2.75 mi. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl, Biotite, Columbite, Kasolite, Felspar, Mica, Opal (hyalite), Pyrite, Schorl, Zircon. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. As for the rock hunting we found a lot of mica, some black tourmaline, some matrixed garnet but nothing jewel quality or green tourmaline. Albite, Beryl, Tourmaline (green elbaite), Fluorapatite (blue, purple), Feldspar, Mica, Quartz, Garnet (spessartine), Sphalerite, Spodumene (crystals), etc. $239,900. Always be mindful of sneaker waves and never get caught on rock outcroppings with an incoming tide. Many examples of Maine minerals are on exhibit at the Maine Geological Survey and at numerous colleges and museums around the country. Northern Maine Minerals | Greenville ME Other locations are open but at a fee, and some are only open to specific clubs. Finding awesome rockhound locations in specific states can be much easier when youre connected with local clubs and societies. Sorry, my experience with Mt. The rocks, usually collected from the dump piles of local mines, are provided by the bucket full, so youll have plenty to sort through. Mostly patridge at the end of my barrel. This site contains affiliate links to products. Apatite on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Mt. The trails were nice and wide and easy to walk on. Mount Mica, Mount Marie and Mount Apatite are also popular for rockhounding spots in Maine each with their own rules and restrictions. Places like Target, Marshalls, K-Mart, or Sears will carry inexpensive options. 68.32 acres lot. People will always find something to take home, Kroenke said of rockhounding. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 2 0 obj Its the thrill of the hunt, said Tom Hoffelder, president of Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association. Feldspar, Quartz, Topaz, Phenakite, Garnet, etc. quarries are among a small number of mineral collecting sites in Maine that offer a combination of good public access and the possibility of finding many different minerals. I have found records of these rockhounding sites over a variety of sources and offer these locations as a place to start searching. The Maine countryside is absolutely riddled with old mines and quarries which have historically targeted the pegmatite veins exposed by glaciation and erosion. Above all, private property should be respected, and the owner's permission should be obtained where possible before entering a collecting site. Maine Geological Survey: Mineral Collecting - Frequently Asked Questions Loring Cove in Perry is another prime location, with the potential to find agates, calcite, malachite, analcime, prehnite, amethyst, bloodstone, chalcedony, and various quartz specimens. These special types of hammers often available at local hardware stores are designed for working with rock. Agates and other materials suitable for cutting and polishing occur on beaches in this part of the state, including Jasper Beach in Machiasport and Loring Cove in Perry. Its also possible to arrange to tag along on a day trip if you only expect to be in the area for a short time. From the trailhead, follow the yellow blazed hiking trail 0.1 miles to a fork in the trail. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Kennebec Rocks and Mineral Club is dedicated to rockhounding recreation in its many forms and phases. Small notepad and pen or pencil for keeping notes. They can also be an incredible way to meet other rockhounds all around the planet. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. White Mountain National Forest - Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area Re: Best locations for rock . These minerals formed as part of widespread igneous intrusions, and were subsequently exposed by recent glacial activity which stripped away everything above them. From Rte. The majority of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Bestes A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. . The mosquitos were out in full force. Its not a hike. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Summerville, Georgia Agate Rockhounding Trip 2021, Gardening Benefit for Cabochon and Rock Tumbling Rockhounds, Field Trip to Union Chapel Mine/Steven C. Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site Fossil Location. While the classic association is with a golden-brown gemstone, modern methods have made blue the "default" color. You get out in the fresh air, he said, and theres something about digging in the dirt that just makes you happy., Aislinn Sarnacki is a Maine outdoors writer and the author of three Maine hiking guidebooks including Family Friendly Hikes in Maine. Find her on Twitter and Facebook @1minhikegirl. I recommend giving Mary Groves a call rather than sending an email. A family membership includes couples or spouses and any children younger than 18 years of age living in the same household. would you know where I could find info on hunting up on the mountain? These mineral collecting areas are relatively easy to access and offer a wide variety of rocks and minerals including albite, tourmaline, amethyst, feldspar, and quartz. And theres comradery, too. )'u\d3Q;^{w/^+/{W?z?\>'yLx!OxyQadeY\b/. o/^e*{'BAQynb97T )OQO/HlG+ 2f6;?_Suj yy-~pi:-%GG4# # K\wZ"RYe"E2oh@Q4s~L^J"_+Di3sLHE[Wk9LYVuF-v*lP{R4 k2#cV`oEgUt|{5f}R`al#v5ZqbE The most commonly listed primary commodities in Oxford mines are Gemstone , Beryllium , and Feldspar . Mosquito coils last for hours and will burn away into ash. It was a great hike and I took some nice pictures, but I cut the hike short because I was bitten or landed on by mosquitos about 40 times. f 6q. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Those who go to the show can also expect a Grand door prize and second door prizes. Among the rockhounding ambassadors of the region, best known as Maine's Granite Pegmatite Belt, are Mary Groves, her family, and volunteers of Poland Mining Camps. Got distracted by the tranquility and nature. On top of that, weve created a resource page to assist with answering all of your gem and mineral collecting questions. That said before you head out exploring, you should check this list to ensure youre not wasting your precious time. The Lord Hill mine is an open depression in the top of the hill. The purpose of the club or association is to bring people together that share interests in geology and mineralogy in hopes that through the exchange of info and various specimens, everyone involved can benefit in some way. Crystals are often delicate, and are most desirable if still attached to some of their host rock, so it is advisable to carefully extract them and wrap them in paper for the trip home. That next rock, that next shovel full could be something really cool.. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map. If you wear glasses these are very good for keeping your lenses clean, too. The lower shallower water has an incredible number of frogs/tadpoles. I even found a couple of small frogs on the trail. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Arsenopyrite, Autunite, Beryl (green, pink), Aquamarine, Biotite, Tourmaline (green Elbaite), Fluorapatite, Lepidolite, Pyrite, Quartz, Rhodochrosite, etc. Vintage Fire Truck Sightseeing Tour of Portland Maine 317 Recommended Classic Car Tours from $38.00 per adult Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charters in Maine 36 Recommended Sailing from $135.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour-2.5 hour Land Tour 306 Recommended Bus Tours from $62.00 per adult Rockhounding in Maine is a great way to discover the states diverse geology and fossilized wildlife. Permits can be obtained at the mineral collecting site. The Deer Hill location has produced a large amount of amethyst (purple quartz) along with many other minerals, including feldspars of many varieties, beryl, garnet, columbite, pyrite, and muscovite. The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. Clear and milky quartz specimens can be found there, as well as pyrite, arsenopyrite, columbite, graphite, feldspar, garnet, and albite, among various others. TTY: Maine Relay 711 However, I have compiled a list of resources here so that you may investigate and obtain permission for any locations (found here or elsewhere) for yourself. It was a little tricky finding the entrance to the trail- we felt like we were trespassing on government property! A Walk Through Time in Kennebunkport - Celebrating 200+ Years! Map showing recreational areas. If you are coming to get rich forget it. Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 2401 Homes For Sale | Zillow Veteran visitors use U.S. At the summit go left for a great view of Horseshoe Pond. Specimens of tourmaline (left and top right), eosphorite (center right) and gahnite (bottom right) found in some of Maines world-famous mining sites. Its like my wife said: the kids are a lot closer to the ground, so a lot of the time, they will find better stuff than the adults.. Phone: (207) 287-3200 Take the Mine Trail to your right to the abandoned mine. Maine is famous for its gemstone production and the many mineral sites exposed due to glacial withdrawal. The public is more than welcome to join the meetings and listen to the informative discussions. You wouldnt want to be breaking laws or trespassing. Other excellent places to check are the Mount Apatite Quarries, along with Harvard, Waisanen, and Tamminen quarries. DACF Home Bureaus & Programs Maine Geological Survey Explore Maine Geology Mineral Collecting in Maine Mineral Collecting in Maine. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. At the junction with Horseshoe Pond Road (right) continue straight on the Mine Road approximately 0.5 mi. The club also wants to maintain the common interest through social meetings and open discussions. Map showing recreational areas. The Ryerson Hill Quarry and Crocker Hill Mines are two more great rockhound locations. I had to literally drag my wife out of the rock pits on 2 different occasions. After breakfast, the caravan of cars, trucks and SUVs heads off for the days mining trip, and Mary turns her attention to camp operations and preparing one of her memorable suppers. I would love to come back when I have more time to look for rocks and bring plenty of bug spray. Topaz is a brilliant gemstone, and one that's often overlooked. In the state of Maine, you can find sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map Image Credits A trip to collect rocks and see Jasper Beach in Machias Maine. Gemstone hunting in Maine - AOPA more. Because often times they are waterproof, and have zippers. You should place a call to family and loved ones before heading out and if you are running late. Even if you dont find gems of value, the experience of sifting through rocks is fun in and of itself, Turcotte said. The more common minerals found are varieties of feldspar, quartz, topaz, phenakite, and garnet. Like pilots, mineral collectors love to share their activity and their know-how. The most commonly found and collected rocks and minerals in Maine are: If youve already found a rock and youre not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. Most of Maines gems and rare minerals are found in a coarse-grained variety of granite called pegmatite, according to a Virtual Tour of Maine Minerals created by the Maine Geological Survey. Follow Deer Hill Road 2.2 miles to the Deer Hill Mineral Site trailhead. BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES TRI-CITIES REAL ESTATE. American Geode went on a rockhounding (and foodie) tour of Maine in May 2018, and found the quarries very accessible, easy to find, and full of mica. % In addition to mines and quarries, there are countless old prospects and rocky outcrops which have long been frequented by collectors. If interested in pursuing rockhounding as an activity you do on a regular basis, its helpful to join a local club. Chalcedony, jasper, prehnite, bornite, gold, galena, epidote, beryl, muscovite, garnet, scheelite, hornblende, and various other mineral specimens can be found throughout Maine. However, if it is geodes youre after, youll have more luck if you explore the quarries in Washington and Hancock counties. Over 50 different minerals have been found at Lord Hill. The Swift River in Byron is one of the principal sources of placer gold. Ill dive deeper into the types of material you can find here and exactly where you can being your search, along with a handy map and some additional resources to help you along the way. The number one thing to remember while collecting rocks on ocean beaches are the tides. The best rockhounding sites are usually at places that are currently being mined or have in the past but only a select number of locations are open to the public for free. For collectors who want to go home with a prepared souvenir, Creaser Jewelers in South Paris, Maine, is a must-stop destination of the Maine mining scene, specializing in jewelry made from locally mined gems. Oxford County Mineral and Gem Society awards scholarships when the funds allow, which provides the youth the opportunity to get into mineralogical and geology careers without the financial burden. The hike was nice although the trails were not particularly well marked. For additional reading, Id highly recommend these books you can find on Amazon: Please remember that rock collecting locations are constantly changing. I thought it was going to be more of a mining operation, but my grandson still had fun breaking rocks and finding keepers. Mine For Gems And Rocks At Earthdance In Massachusetts And chisels are useful for more delicate work, such as carving gems out of surrounding rock. Apatite, Auburn: Address, Mt. The big thing about being a member of a rock club is you can get into places [to rockhound] that you cant get into as an individual, Hoffelder said. %PDF-1.5 Since their inception in 2007, their sustainability has been largely dependent on their partnerships with local mining . Maine Rockhounding Location Guide & Map - Rockhound Resource Rockhounds can also visit the Square Pit, Havey, Trenton, and Alice Staples, which are all near Topsham. Jasper Beach In Maine Has Amazing Multi-Colored Rocks - OnlyInYourState Still a great place to lol for amythest and other local stones. Important Disclaimer: I have not been to these locations myself, and I do not know if they are currently open for collecting. Its a greenish blue crystal. Jasper Beach In Maine Has Amazing Multi-Colored Rocks Posted in Maine Nature, On The Water June 22, 2022 by Daniella DiRienzo Jasper Beach In Maine Is Covered In Millions Of Smooth, Multicolored Stones Sand does not a beach make and Jasper Beach in Maine is proof. Remains of the mining activity are still present on site, 71 White Mountain Drive The Great State of Maine Minerals and Gems, Analcime, Calcite, Datolite, Malachite, Prehnite, Agate, Amethyst, Bloodstone, Chalcedony, Quartz, Stilbite. I read about bringing bug spray but totally forgot to bring some. Rockhounding in Maine: Free Guide, Maps, Locations Map Information, Lord Hill is a pegmatite that is not very different from the Deer Hill pegmatite, except for a chemical composition that contains many more rare elements which lead to forming rare minerals. Some rockhounds aim to find valuable gems such as watermelon tourmaline, while others enjoy finding as many different types of minerals as possible. Ocean rocks belong to everyone, not just to whoever picks them up first. Ancient volcanic and metamorphic rocks have been worn down by recent glaciation and subsequent weathering from rivers and streams have exposed interesting gemstones and minerals for us to find. There's a ledge that is prefect to lay on and watch the fish and pond ripples. MAINE MINERAL & GEM MUSEUM. Whether youre interested in mining or detecting, theres something for everyone. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. More by Aislinn Sarnacki, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Turn right onto Richardson Hollow Road and continue 0.40 mile to parking area on the right. Anglesite, Bornite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Epidote, Galena, Goethite, Hematite, Limonite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, Smithsonite, Wulfenite, etc. Maines surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. All rights reserved. Many other items are handy for collecting and staying comfortable during outdoor activity. PDF Mount Apatite Park, Auburn, Maine You can also usually get the landowners name and address by visiting the county records office. But one great thing about rockhounding or field collecting is that it doesnt take a lot of money to start. Rockhound Sites in Maine, Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club presents their 49th Annual Show: Agates are Superior! in Holland, Michigan. [email protected] If youre on the hunt for fossils, Maines bedrock holds preserved fossils dating back from 500 to 360 million years ago. to the trailhead. Fortunately, many of these old quarries are open to the public (to some degree or another) for collecting. Gem-quality specimens are found now and then, but even an opaque tourmaline crystal embedded in transparent quartz, or in a fine-grained lavender pegmatite mica called lepidolite, will look great on your coffee table. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The Bibliography is part of the Maps and Publications Search. Considering what knowledge and information one can learn to access the precious gems that could lead to hefty payouts, its worth the membership fee. Sunscreen is essential even in the outdoors. The ledges and boulders surrounding the quarry pits show . Lord Hill is a granite pegmatite that was mined commercially for feldspar at one time. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves will help protect you from being scraped by sharp rocks while also preventing sunburn and bug bites. Doing so can put you in touch with others who may have lesser-known locations to check out. They feel as though learning how to correctly identify the locations that are best for gold panning is a matter of knowing what to look for before you waste time digging and experience. To find them, all you have to do is dig and perhaps use a hammer and chisel. Mineral collecting is an inexpensive hobby that can be enjoyed by all age groups, and offers the fringe benefits of outdoor recreation and the opportunity to learn about earth science. Collectors interested in access to Maine mineral collecting sites should contact one of the, Bibliography of Maine Geology - For those interested in more in-depth research, the Bibliography of Maine Geology contains more than 12,000 references related to Maine geology. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. Earthdance is located at 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, Mass. The Greenlaw dumps are also the most favorable area in which to find traces of green and blue-green tourmaline (Figure 3), though collectors have already gathered up most of the obvious pieces. I enjoyed the solitude and big country feeling of hunting up in the Andover area of East -B Hill Rd. The American Geode found plenty of fine mica, and had a great time, and the reason we did not find other minerals as that we simply ran out of time. Many sites that used to be popular with rockhounds are now closed, including the sites listed here. Great hike. I encourage you to check them out if you are curious about the legalities of rock and mineral collecting. Waisanan Quarry and Tamminen Quarry are .1 miles further down the road. amzn_assoc_linkid = "aac5e87b1ca95eb9841c18e11fbbd48f"; 4 0 obj Most mineral collecting activity takes place in the larger of the 2 quarry pits. Gold, Garnet, Magnetite, Scheelite, Staurolite, Albite, Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Mica, Chrysoberyl, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Quartz (milky, smoky), Schrol, Garnet (almandine), Chrysoberyl, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Mica, Quartz, Schorl, Amethyst, Feldspar, Beryl, Garnet, Columbite, Pyrite, Muscovite. The more common minerals found are varieties of feldspar, quartz, topaz, phenakite, and garnet. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. (FR9 - closed seasonally) 4.7 mi from NH 113 to the Horseshoe Pond Trail. That is a short version of a longer list. The most useful tools are sturdy hammers for breaking rocks open, and a small shovel for digging through piles of broken rock on the waste piles of mines and quarries. Hounds can find high-quality items, including (not limited to) biotite, limonite, malachite, wulfenite, anglesite, bornite, calcite, cerussite, epidote, hematite, quartz, and smithsonite. Portland International Jetport, a Class C airspace airport with major airline service, is about an hours drive from the mining district. Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry The state is rich in a variety of minerals. For basic tools, Hoffelder suggests a shovel and two hammers: a geology hammer and a crack hammer. To determine what type of public land a particular location is on, I would recommend starting with the recreational lands map from the Maine Department of Conservation. Safety gear and protective clothing is also important. An official website of the The book includes more than 30 locations in Maine, including the Harvard, Waisanen and Tamminen quarries in Greenwood. The Lubec Lead Mine, near Lubec, Maine, is an excellent rockhound location for explorers to score decent specimens.
