Rock Hounding

[kcid51]

Rock Hound trip 4-14-11 till 4-18-11

We are going to be camping at Coon Hollow camp ground, which is on Wiley’s Well Rd approximately 13 miles West of Blythe Ca. on Interstate 10. Coon Hollow is about 10 miles South of Interstate 10. The area is low desert and BLM land, the camp ground is a BLM long term visitor area (LTVA) it has fault toilets and hand pump water (non-potable), tables w/covers, fire rings and lots of fire wood to gather.
We will be rock hounding every day except the 18th, pack up and clean up the camp area and return home. We usually decide where to go based on the folks who come along and what they want to collect. There are also some mines to check out.
I plan to drive out after work on the 13th arriving around midnight and ready to go the next day by 11:00am, on the other days we will leave camp at 10am. Wiley’s Well Rd is a graded dirt road, at times rough due to the washboard. The camp ground is level suitable for tents, trailers and Rv’s. The weather should be nice, usually around high 40’s at night and mid 80’s day time.
We use 2 meter FM radio; as our mode of communication, 147.48 simplex. There are a couple of repeaters we can monitor as well. The cell phone service in the camp ground and along Wiley’s Well Rd is very selective once you get about 5 miles from HWY 10.
The rocks in the area for collecting are numerous, agate (many varieties), Jasper, Fire Agate, Geodes, Limonite cubes, Quartz Crystals, Black agate. Copper projectiles from when Patton’s tanks practiced in this area.
There has been a lot of rain this year so we hope that there is a lot of new material that has washed down from the hills.

If you want to go on this trip with us, just rsvp if possible, to rwilimek@gmail.com
Here is a link to Desertusa about Coon Hollow;
http://www.desertusa.com/mag07/may07/coonhollow.html
Here are links to photos from previous Rock Hound Trips and camping at Coon Hollow;
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/568756814Omsofu
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/554381549nXAoqC
http://rides.webshots.com/album/509564785trIzBz
http://rides.webshots.com/album/145126891XaQXHW

http://members.cox.net/rwilimek/
Dick ka7ayt

[OLLIE]

This sounds like a very fun trip Dick. Unfortunately I'll be on another trip that weekend. Please be sure to post up some pictures or a report on the trip.

[kcid51]

Thanks, Ollie
I will post a trip report and photo's after we get back for sure. Incidentally if anyone just wants to come for a day, just let me know so we know to look for you. We will be doing some kind of rock hunting every day, except the 7th.
Dick ka7ayt

[cruiserlarry]

Sounds great...but I'll be out with Ollie

I look forward to the write up and pictures....have a great time !!!

[kcid51]

This trip is still on! You guys that are going on the Bradshaw run, stop and visit us at Coon Hollow, it is only a short few miles south of the Bradshaw on Wiley's Well Rd.

Dick Ka7ayt

[gon2srf]

Do you bring home the trophy's or is this catch and release?

[kcid51]

We bring home the rocks. I then polish them and use them for jewelry, wire wrap type.

[taugust]

Dick,

Thanks for the invite, but I don't think we can add your stop to the itinerary. I tried that a couple years ago, and the group broke up over it. Our final destination is La Paz, AZ and getting home, so I don't think the group will stop, but I will mention it if anyone wants to break away. We will be in the area by midday on Sunday.

Have fun.

Tim