The lower shallower water has an incredible number of frogs/tadpoles. 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. You might also find mica, albite, columbite, fluorite, fluorapatite, feldspar, and almandine garnets. The trails, once there, are clearly marked. This site is devoted to sharing my love of rocks with you. Apatite on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Mt. Sluices are also a feature at many mineral and gem events, such as the New England Mineral Conference thats held annually at Sunday River. 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. The different states in New England include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. and is literally illegal along some parts of the Maine coast. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl (golden), Aquamarine, Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Quartz (milky, rose, smoky), Schorl, Zircon, etc. Park your vehicle then hike up the Mine Road approximately 1.0 mi. Follow Deer Hill Road 2.2 miles to the Deer Hill Mineral Site trailhead. Dudy (pronounced Duddy) Groves died in 2005, but Mary Groves and a committed corps of volunteers are keeping his dream alive. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, along with chisels, small shovels, and any additional tools that may come in handy. The gymnasium is full of specimens dealers have for sale and displays to enjoy. Because often times they are waterproof, and have zippers. Please read and comply with the conditions stated on the permit. Use the Maine Aerial Photographs map to review photo coverage and availability. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map. The Poland Spring Resort is nearby, and the Maine coast and classic vacation stops such as L.L. For additional reading, Id highly recommend these books you can find on Amazon: Please remember that rock collecting locations are constantly changing. 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. Minerals are what rocks are made of (Jensen . And there are some lovely amethysts.. Poland Mining Camps has obtained exclusive access for our customers to some of the best mineral collecting available in the State of Maine. Lord Hill is located in Stoneham, Maine. From Rte. This process combined the igneous and sedimentary rocks and the heat changed the mineral composition (Jensen 1960) (Shuttlesworth, 1963). Albite, Garnet (almandine), Arsenopyrite, Autunite, Beryl (green, pink), Aquamarine, Biotite, Tourmaline (green Elbaite), Fluorapatite, Lepidolite, Pyrite, Quartz, Rhodochrosite, etc. Molybdenite (plates), Granite, Quartz crystals, Biotite, Fluorapatite, Hornblende, Magnetite, Microcline, Pyrite, Scheelite, Stilbite, etc. The walk is uphill and has stray rocks in the path so be careful if walking is difficult for you. I cannot personally attest to the accuracy of the given locations or the quality of the material there. Cell-phone or mobile device charger while you are driving to the locale, or the night before, making sure your devices are fully charged. General Information. Its the thrill of the hunt, said Tom Hoffelder, president of Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association. 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. Directions: Driving Directions can be found at this webpage: http://polandminingcamps.com/contact.html From the South Interstate 95 North, past Portland. It is, simply put, the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand rock identification system youll find anywhere. Poland Mining Camps (207-998-2350) is open by reservation for cabin-style lodging from early June through Labor Day in 2019. 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. And discoveries of more gem-rich veins of pegmatite are still being made. 2021 Columbia, SC Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. 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. Rock clubs offer their own lineup of field trips, often collaborating with nearby clubs. Map showing recreational areas. Joining this club gives members insight into some of the best equipment for gold prospecting and the information necessary for anyone to get started on their prospecting journey. 2. Maine is one of New Englands most popular rock-hounding locations. This information is essential for gemstone and mineral finds, since provenance is paramount to us and to our clients, and should be for you as well. Historic Mining Records (USGS) Oxford has 146 identified mines listed in The Diggings. Please contact American Geode directly with any questions; pictures and videos are below, as well as a map for you to download. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 13 0 R 16 0 R 17 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> The Norway Historical Society also has a fine display of local minerals. A locations listing here is not a guarantee of accuracy. amzn_assoc_title = "Here is some of my favorite rockhounding gear from Amazon"; Other locations are open but at a fee, and some are only open to specific clubs. For some rockhounds they are too astringent to apply to ones face, but personally I find it very refreshing. And theres comradery, too. <> Maine's surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. on official, secure websites. 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Baker to speak at Beech Bash in the Bluegrass. Finding awesome rockhound locations in specific states can be much easier when youre connected with local clubs and societies. Good luck! 98% of travelers recommend this experience. That next rock, that next shovel full could be something really cool.. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Get extra lift from AOPA. The rock and mineral collection contains specimens from localities in Maine and elsewhere in the country. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl, Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz (milky, smoky), Sphalerite, Zircon, etc. This way, you dont have to conduct your own research or invest in any equipment. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Go left onto the Conant Trail and follow the trail for 0.3 miles to the Lord Hill summit. Apatite Reviews: 4.5/5. I really recommend sluices for those who have young kids, said Maggie Kroenke, store manager at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. All rights reserved. LONDON, UK He was the king of Queen and his crown could be yours for the right price. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Whether youre interested in mining or detecting, theres something for everyone. ,}]u6[T8 1? The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. would you know where I could find info on hunting up on the mountain? Most mineral collecting activity takes place in the larger of the 2 quarry pits. Rockhounds can find feldspar, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, topaz, jasper, rubies, pearls, gold, opal, aquamarine, and many other high-quality pieces. You can wash them off too. You will see lots of shallow holes that mineral collectors have dug in the rock piles. The youth program includes separate age-appropriate meetings during their regularly scheduled club meetings, kids activities, and field trips. 22 State House Station What a little gem in Auburn, nice little hike to do with kids. Maine is home to a handful of active geology and mineral clubs. 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. Earthdance is located at 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, Mass. Go to a rock show or visit a major natural history museum anywhere, and you are likely to encounter specimens from the Maine "pegs." Or you could get yourself to Maine and start a collection of your own. Jasper Beach: A trip to collect rocks and see Jasper Beach in Machias Maine. She is a Rock HOUND / AHOLIC. Apatite (Auburn) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, View all hotels near Mt. Also has bike trails. The most commonly listed primary commodities in Oxford mines are Gemstone , Beryllium , and Feldspar . Even if you dont find gems of value, the experience of sifting through rocks is fun in and of itself, Turcotte said. Supposedly the secret is to observe the environment. Some are commercially operated mines and quarries, and gaining permission to collect on any of these properties is, as always, absolutely essential. Seasoned rock hounds always have their favorite tools and things they carry, Kroenke said. Copyright 2021 I even found a couple of small frogs on the trail. Veteran visitors use U.S. He has been a flight instructor since 1990 and is a 35-year AOPA member. Before we dig really deep, lets take a peek at some of the prime rock-hounding locations in Maine. I've read a lot here on trip advisor about good beaches for beach glass collecting, but I don't know if those same beaches will have pretty rocks! Campton NH 03223, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=79453, White Mountain Recreation Fee Program Accomplishments. Turn left on to Foxboro Road staying right for 2.1 mi. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. From the trailhead, follow the yellow blazed hiking trail 0.1 miles to a fork in the trail. At the junction with Horseshoe Pond Road (right) continue straight on the Mine Road approximately 0.5 mi. We do some field trips in New Hampshire, but 90 percent of our trips are in Maine.. Each year when summer arrives in Maine, enthusiastic parties of rock hunters head into the field to search for gemstones and other geological rarities in the states world-famous mineral collecting localities. Mosquito coils last for hours and will burn away into ash. Ocean rocks belong to everyone, not just to whoever picks them up first. Bear right for 0.4 miles to permit area 1, bear left for 0.4 miles to permit area 2. I will have more information on how to check property ownership status later in this article. Small notepad and pen or pencil for keeping notes. Volume 1: Descriptive Mineralogy. Turn right onto Greenwood Road and drive north west 5.30 miles. Energy bars, candy bars, bananas, oranges, apples, and nuts are great for keeping up your energy and last the entire day. Maine is famous for its gemstone production and the many mineral sites exposed due to glacial withdrawal. The little town of Paris, in Oxford County, Maine, is an excellent intersection between a few different rockhounding sites. Follow posted signage and always get permission from the landowner to collect. There's a ledge that is prefect to lay on and watch the fish and pond ripples. The club holds monthly meetings at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum once a month. endobj Can you recommend the best beaches or places for rock collecting? dacf@maine.gov But, it's a super fun way to explore. Copyright 2021 Bring the SPF Protection most suitable to how fair or how dark you are. Here are some additional resources to help you check on land ownership and mineral claims: As with most states, each county in Maine will have records of who owns each piece of property. Lots of mica and different kinds of rock, haven't found any tourmaline yet but I often see people up there with mining gear finding things. In addition to mines and quarries, there are countless old prospects and rocky outcrops which have long been frequented by collectors. Document Viewers - including PDF and Word. Rockhounding can get very dirty, so bring Wet-naps as they are very handy to clean off your hands quickly. - Lot / Land for sale. More Contacts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Introduction to Mineral Collecting in Maine, Maine Geology at the Smithsonian Institution. The higher deeper water area has a lot of fish, think they are bull heads. If youre rockhounding in the quarry wall, you can uncover gem pockets. 3. Campton NH 03223, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/rocks-minerals/recarea/?recid=79485&actid=73. The largest is the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, which currently has nearly 500 members. This club is interested in teaching anyone, from the weekend hobbyist to novices up to professionals who know a thing or two. The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society feature a free youth program with a family membership to the club. To break apart large rocks, rockhounds will sometimes use sledgehammers. Master Faceter, Avid Rock Hound, World Traveler, Tamminen, Pingree Ledge, and Waisanen Quarries. It was a little tricky finding the entrance to the trail- we felt like we were trespassing on government property! The Ryerson Hill Quarry and Crocker Hill Mines are two more great rockhound locations. connected to the .gov website. 38 minutes ago. At 0.3 mi., just before the gravel road ends, the trail turns right. After all, we dont want the entire world digging into every great spot, do we? Lord Hill is a granite pegmatite that was mined commercially for feldspar at one time. Phone: (207) 287-3200 Here at Rockhounding Maps, we give you access and information to the best dig sites for crystals and minerals in Maine. on official, secure websites. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Gradual uphill grad , easy to negotiate, wide path. At the summit go left for a great view of Horseshoe Pond. The museum also offers information about rockhounding in the area, including directions to rockhounding sites that are open to the general public. Irving Dudy Groves and his wife, Mary, built Poland Mining Camps, in Poland, Maine, pretty much by hand several decades ago. This is a great resource for anyone who loves rockhounding, from beginners to experts alike! Please note that I have not been to these locations. ( These pegmatites are essentially volcanic intrusions with unusually large crystals and they make for the perfect source rock for collectors. The most important factor in assessing the legality of rock, mineral, and fossil collecting activities is the legal ownership or possession of the specimens being collected; the question of the ownership and possession of those specimens is the starting point for further legal analysis. One of my favorites is beryl. I was thrilled when they entrusted me with the job of leading some field trips, giving me a chance to share my modest but growing mineralogical knowledge with the newbies in the mining parties that usually number from a handful to 15 or 20 people. Examples of metamorphic mineral occurrences include the kyanite and staurolite crystals in mica schist at Windham, garnet crystals in schist and calcium-rich rocks at numerous places, and vesuvianite crystals in Sanford. Tourmaline is Maines state mineral. These minerals formed as part of widespread igneous intrusions, and were subsequently exposed by recent glacial activity which stripped away everything above them. Many sites that used to be popular with rockhounds are now closed, including the sites listed here. 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. Topaz is a brilliant gemstone, and one that's often overlooked. OCMGA holds a gem show during the second week of July at the Telstar High School gym. Remains of the mining activity are still present on site, 71 White Mountain Drive amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 113 in Stow, Maine turn right onto Deer Hill Rd (FR9). If you would like to read some of the source material for yourself I have listed them below. Take the Mine Trail to your right to the abandoned mine. Regarding membership prices, an individual membership is $15 a year and $20 a year for families. Some of the Maine pegmatites are classified as complex pegmatitesthat is they contain more than just the basic quartz, mica, and feldspar elements of pegmatitic graniteand those are famous for tourmaline, a mineral that occurs as green, pink, blue or multicolored prismatic crystals. She arises early, rides down to the dining hall in a golf cart, puts the coffee pot on, and makes everyones breakfast to order. Why? As for the rock hunting we found a lot of mica, some black tourmaline, some matrixed garnet but nothing jewel quality or green tourmaline. 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. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. United States government. Copyright 2022 Rockhound Resource | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Havey, Trenton, Square Pit, and Alice Staples Quarries near Topsham, Harvard, Tamminen, and Waisanen Quarries, near Greenwood, Ryerson Hill Quarry & Crocker Hill Mines, near Paris, Baldpate Mountain, in pegmatites and float, Rockhounding on Public Land: Laws and Regulations, Can You Collect Rocks in State Parks? 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. 3 0 obj Pink, green and blue tourmaline, aquamarine beryl and deep red garnet, purple amethyst and sparkling lepidolite they all lie buried in Maine granite. Phone: (207) 287-3200 Augusta, ME 04333 All 50 States Answered. Maine is, without a doubt, the best state in New England for rock and mineral collectors thanks to the widespread, high-quality pegmatites that make up a large portion of the surface geology. I would probably start by doing a property records search and getting whatever contact information you can for the landowner. <> The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them! amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; This site contains affiliate links to products. Many localities are closed from time to time when they are being mined for specimens. I had to literally drag my wife out of the rock pits on 2 different occasions. 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. United States government. Several of the miners often join the mining-camp crowd for supper and may show their latest discoveries. Knoxville Gem & Mineral Society 2021 Show! The Bibliography is part of the. The club holds field trips from May through October, and members are notified of any upcoming field trips in the clubs newsletter. For basic tools, Hoffelder suggests a shovel and two hammers: a geology hammer and a crack hammer. bike. The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. The most commonly found and collected rocks and minerals in New Hampshire are: Amethyst Quartz Apatite Gold Staurolite Topaz Fluorite Tourmaline Jasper Garnet Amethyst If you've already found a rock and you're not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. We had an awesome time hiking around the park at Mt. If you want to enloy nature and take something home (we took enough mica rocks to make a merry go round) and do geocaching and try your luck in the quarry ponds come on up. 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. While the classic association is with a golden-brown gemstone, modern methods have made blue the "default" color. Bear right for 0.4 miles to permit area 1, bear left for 0.4 miles to permit area 2. You can also sometimes find interesting rocks like jasper and agates in the gravels of some public beaches. endobj Youre usually under cover if its a hot day, splashing in the water. 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. Portland International Jetport, a Class C airspace airport with major airline service, is about an hours drive from the mining district. Many other items are handy for collecting and staying comfortable during outdoor activity. You can also The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, for example, will be organizing about 15 field trips for rockhounding this year, including an overnight trip to seek fluorescent minerals with lights. Apatite on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Central Maine Medical School of Radiologic Technology, Hotels near Mr. Bernard's Hair Fashion Lewiston, ME, Hotels near Central Maine Community College, Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience - Day Trips, TranzAlpine Train Journey from Christchurch to Greymouth, TokyoHiraiLet's make your own chopsticks, Balloon Adventures Italy, hot air balloon rides over Assisi, Perugia and Umbria. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Fortunately, many of these old quarries are open to the public (to some degree or another) for collecting. The collecting area on Deer Hill is located on the southeast side of the hill where you can dig through glacial sediments under the surficial deposits. There are many benefits to becoming a rock and mineral club member, and the fees are typically affordable. The mine area is covered with small pieces of rock. <>>> The Maine Geological Survey has 38 sets of aerial photographs covering different parts of Maine. You look forward to the field trips and digging with your friends.. Feldspar, Quartz, Topaz, Phenakite, Garnet, etc. Maybe a lot, maybe nothing. For a short time this location was mined for feldspar but was not profitable. Most of them were commercially worked for mica or feldspar, creating piles of waste rock ("dumps") where collectors search for specimens. The more common minerals found are varieties of feldspar, quartz, topaz, phenakite, and garnet. Year after year, the specimen seekers show up on schedule toting shovels, screens, or sledgehammers and sharing stories of fabulous finds or strenuous searches of past years. Newcomers are always joining inand it only takes a return trip to be pronounced a regular. There are so many trails to take and I wasn't familiar with any of them. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Another option is to visit a location thats running a mineral and gem sluice, a device that allows you to sort rocks using a screen in running water. Rockhound societies are an excellent way to learn more about rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils. Actinolite, Calcite, Diopside, Garnet (grossular), Molybdenite, Quartz, Titanite, Clinozoisite, Clinochlore, Beryl, Feldspar, Muscovite, etc. If you are coming to get rich forget it. to the mine. Volume 2: Mining History, Gems, and Geology, Gemstones -- An Overview of Production of Specific U.S. Gemstones, Prospecting for Gold in the United States. Safety glasses or face shields can protect your face from shards of rock that can fly off when youre hammering. Pegmatite veins are abundant in parts of Oxford, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc Counties.

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