rock collecting in maine
Lord Hill is located in Stoneham, Maine. Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Most of them were commercially worked for mica or feldspar, creating piles of waste rock ("dumps") where collectors search for specimens. Pegmatites are also source rock for rare minerals (for example eosphorite, phenakite, hydroxyl-herderite) and micromount specimens. Additionally, filming your finds can be a great way to record you adventure. If youre not interested in those minerals, no worries. . Even if you are on land that is generally open for public use there may be privately owned mining claims inside those boundaries and youll need to get permission to collect on that location. For a short time this location was mined for feldspar but was not profitable. 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. Vintage Fire Truck Sightseeing Tour of Portland Maine, Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charters in Maine, Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour-2.5 hour Land Tour, Old Port Culinary Walking Tour from Portland, Portland Bicycle Tour with 5 Lighthouse Stops and XL Lobster Roll, The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local, Acadia National Park and Camden Private Day Trip from Portland, Donut Tasting Walking Tour in Portlands Old Port, First Round Draft Brewery Bus Tour in Portland, Oyster Farm & Tasting Sea Kayak Tour in Casco Bay, 2-Hour Portland Hidden Histories Walking Tour. Rockhounding can get very dirty, so bring Wet-naps as they are very handy to clean off your hands quickly. Maine has an excellent reputation among "rockhounds" for the variety and quality of mineral specimens found within its borders. Single club memberships are only $15 a year, and the price for families is only $20. Please check out more states for thousands of additional sites to go rockhounding! United States. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Official websites use .gov A .gov At the junction with Horseshoe Pond Road (right) continue straight on the Mine Road approximately 0.5 mi. The club holds field trips from May through October, and members are notified of any upcoming field trips in the clubs newsletter. The best rockhounding sites are usually at quarries and mines, both active and inactive. Meetings typically feature a program revolving around the aspects of rock and mineral collecting. Mary Groves arranges each days field trip in advance to a selected quarry where collectible, even world-class specimens of tourmaline, beryl, quartz, fluorapatite, spodumene, garnet, and other minerals are sought. Veteran visitors use U.S. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Geryl, Biotite, Columbite, Mica, Aquamarine, Chalcopyrite, Schorl, Quartz, Zircon, Elbaite, Thorogummite, etc. Before we dig really deep, lets take a peek at some of the prime rock-hounding locations in Maine. A prime example is the Porcupine Hill Quarry. If youre rockhounding in the quarry wall, you can uncover gem pockets. If you would like to read some of the source material for yourself I have listed them below. Driving: From jct. 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. These special types of hammers often available at local hardware stores are designed for working with rock. From the trailhead, follow the yellow blazed hiking trail 0.1 miles to a fork in the trail. How much will you find? Its a great way to get outside and learn a lot about our natural resources.. Other sources include: This post is part of my State-By-State Rockhounding Guides series. endobj This process combined the igneous and sedimentary rocks and the heat changed the mineral composition (Jensen 1960) (Shuttlesworth, 1963). From Rte. The most commonly found and collected rocks and minerals in Maine are: Amethyst Beryl Biotite Quartz Tourmaline Garnet Feldspar Fluorapatite Columbite Jasper Amethyst All 50 States Answered. We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. From the trailhead, follow the yellow blazed hiking trail 0.1 miles to a fork in the trail. Like pilots, mineral collectors love to share their activity and their know-how. This hobby is especially popular in western Maine, where some of the states most celebrated gemstones can be found. amzn_assoc_linkid = "aac5e87b1ca95eb9841c18e11fbbd48f"; 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. However, the hike was very pleasant and the quarries were very interesting. They have access to many mines there such as Mt. Nice as your idea sounds, it's a great way to tick off the natives and, as Bonnie points out, is literally illegal in some places. Finding something of high value is sort of rare, but you will find something to take home, something you absolutely fall in love with.. The youth program includes separate age-appropriate meetings during their regularly scheduled club meetings, kids activities, and field trips. Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Aquamarine, Biotite, Feldspar, Muscovite, Quartz (smoky, milky). 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. I even found a couple of small frogs on the trail. You can also usually get the landowners name and address by visiting the county records office. Notable minerals and rocks in Maine Gemstones and minerals are found abundantly in Maine. There are so many trails to take and I wasn't familiar with any of them. Whether youre interested in mining or detecting, theres something for everyone. . This is because clubs have insurance for the activity, and club leaders have formed trusting relationships with the mine owners that ensure their groups will follow rules. The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. Club meetings are open to the public, and anyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Maine which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. 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. You can cover biology, ecology, and geology easily in the same park. I was expecting more as far as the mining. Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Dig Me. Rockhounding societies and clubs are excellent places to get information, swap hounding stories, learn about the best rockhound locations, and talk to others with the same interests. Mica, Mount Apatite (Pulsifer, Hole-in-the-Ground and Keith quarries), the Emmons Quarry, Pitts Tenney. I cannot personally attest to the accuracy of the given locations or the quality of the material there. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Club members go on field trips to mineral sites to study and collect specimens. Maine is also home to multiple crystals, including various quartz crystals, zircon, sphalerite, and beryl crystal. I'm Mike Rhea, and I'm a professional Geologist with a passion for rocks, minerals, and everything related to Geology. To arrange a visit for rock and mineral collecting, contact the Earthdance Mineral Coordinator at minerals . These pegmatites are essentially volcanic intrusions with unusually large crystals and they make for the perfect source rock for collectors. Gardening forks and trowels can come in handy. I tend to get a little lost in my rock stories, so lets refocus on the question you probably need answered: How does a general aviation pilot get to Maine pegmatite country? Its one of the best rockhound locations in the state because of the quarries nearby. Small quarry at top offers ponds and many turtles and frogs. And discoveries of more gem-rich veins of pegmatite are still being made. Queen's frontman had said he . Augusta, ME 04333 Rockhounds can find feldspar, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, topaz, jasper, rubies, pearls, gold, opal, aquamarine, and many other high-quality pieces. Some of the famous specimens rockhounds commonly find are flint, granite, agates, geodes, bloodstones, slate, graphite, schist, greenstone, quartz, monzonite, limestone, hornfels, and marble. The Bibliography is part of the Maps and Publications Search. And a helmet should be worn if youre searching near a rock wall where small rocks could tumble down from overhead. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. The Maine Geological Survey has 38 sets of aerial photographs covering different parts of Maine. And chisels are useful for more delicate work, such as carving gems out of surrounding rock. Finding awesome rockhound locations in specific states can be much easier when youre connected with local clubs and societies. That next rock, that next shovel full could be something really cool.. )'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 That is a short version of a longer list. Maine is famous for its gemstone production and the many mineral sites exposed due to glacial withdrawal. It was a little tricky finding the entrance to the trail- we felt like we were trespassing on government property! Shed be the first one to tell that shes not much of a computer userif she even has one in the house these days. We suggest setting aside the day for rockhounding and exploring the area. You dont have to worry about tripping or falling.. Lots of different trails. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Tourmaline is Maines state mineral. The trail follows this road, keeping straight at a junction in 100 yd. It really is a treasure hunt, said Jeff Farrin, vice president and field trip director of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society. Above all, private property should be respected, and the owner's permission should be obtained where possible before entering a collecting site. There's a good mix of activities from dog walking, rock hunting, mountain biking, etc. Pingree Ledge Quarry is near Albany and is an excellent place to find milky, smoky, and clear quartz crystals. For a fee, rockhounds can explore and collect specimens at the Poland Mining Camps. on official, secure websites. I encourage you to check them out if you are curious about the legalities of rock and mineral collecting. OCMGA holds a gem show during the second week of July at the Telstar High School gym. UScellular donates $28,150 in wireless hotspots and service to Penquis Community Action Program, UMaine system chancellors new contract shows rocky relations with trustees, Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, Invasive fish that took over lakes now threatens the rest of Maine, Auburn police seize more than 30 pounds of fentanyl, This Maine ski town may crack down on short-term rentals, Small Aroostook town has mishandled tax records for years, state says, Spring storm will batter Maine with winds up to 55 mph, Maine sees regional high school as model despite failed attempts, Supreme Court looks ready to ax Maine law letting governments profit from home seizures, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The gemstone production in Maine is world-famous for the wide variety and superior quality of pegmatite minerals like tourmaline, feldspar, garnet, and quartz. 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. The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. Rockhound Sites in Maine, Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club presents their 49th Annual Show: Agates are Superior! in Holland, Michigan. To find them, all you have to do is dig and perhaps use a hammer and chisel. The aptly-named Jasper Beach near Bucks Harbor is a great place to find some colorful jasper pebbles, and Loring Cove near Perry is known to turn up agates and other minerals like bloodstone and amethyst. In Maine, they are typically made up of desirable crystals like feldspars, garnet, quartz, and various species of tourmaline. Actinolite, Calcite, Diopside, Garnet (grossular), Molybdenite, Quartz, Titanite, Clinozoisite, Clinochlore, Beryl, Feldspar, Muscovite, etc. PAHLISCH REAL ESTATE. Ores of lead, zinc, copper, and other metals can be collected from small abandoned mines in several areas of Maine, particularly the coastal region between Penobscot Bay and Eastport. Directions: Driving Directions can be found at this webpage: http://polandminingcamps.com/contact.html From the South Interstate 95 North, past Portland. ,}]u6[T8 1? There are many ways to go rockhounding in Maine, but the crowd I run with makes its home base at a unique camp for mineral collectors built by a self-taught Maine mining man who had a dream of creating a place where others could come to enjoy and learn about mineral collecting. Turn left on to Foxboro Road staying right for 2.1 mi. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, along with chisels, small shovels, and any additional tools that may come in handy. 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. Ocean rocks belong to everyone, not just to whoever picks them up first. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. 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. Anglesite, Bornite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Epidote, Galena, Goethite, Hematite, Limonite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, Smithsonite, Wulfenite, etc. Get extra lift from AOPA. Image Credits stream The Kennebec Rocks and Mineral Clubs monthly field trips are usually held on the Sunday following their monthly meeting. United States. This is because of the variety of minerals, crystals, and gemstones. I started showing up at camp, as the regulars know Poland Mining Camps, 20 years ago as a rookie mineral collector who didnt know a garnet from a gahnite or an elbaite from an albite. From the North: Follow Deer Hill Rd. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; (FR9 - closed seasonally) 4.7 mi from NH 113 to the Horseshoe Pond Trail. Other locations are open but at a fee, and some are only open to specific clubs. 2. 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. just bow hunting that's mostly what I do. Rare minerals have been found at Lord Hill including Triplite, Uraninite, Vivianite, Zircon, Gahnite, Fluorapatite, Bertrandite. Poland Mining Camps (207-998-2350) is open by reservation for cabin-style lodging from early June through Labor Day in 2019. Mineral collecting is allowed in the White Mountain National Forest in western Maine, provided that your activities are non-commercial, limited to the use of hand tools, and do not greatly disturb the area. People will always find something to take home, Kroenke said of rockhounding. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; $239,900. the recreational lands map from the Maine Department of Conservation. #GetoutandRockhound, More information and reference about rockhounding sites in Maine: Use the Maine Aerial Photographs map to review photo coverage and availability. !v5mNufY_?H YZo23"@;mw@j]be@V\ F{qI0ilB[7T$bm6 k # d>8y.1a ~tx&.oQ Hir.)nFrS'i|`pFB e9`rNY!uH 6m::exR!yR .n I really recommend sluices for those who have young kids, said Maggie Kroenke, store manager at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. The state is rich in a variety of minerals. 12006 Nottingham Dr, Pasco, WA 99301. 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. The Bibliography is part of the. on official, secure websites. 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. Zircon, golden beryl, garnet, autunite, and aquamarine are several other potential finds for rockhounds to unearth. 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. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl, Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz (milky, smoky), Sphalerite, Zircon, etc. 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. Many localities are closed from time to time when they are being mined for specimens. 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! A Walk Through Time in Kennebunkport - Celebrating 200+ Years! Please read and comply with the conditions stated on the permit. 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.. 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. 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. I enjoy collecting and tumbling rocks with my daughter and traveling the world with my wife seeing geologic wonders. Several of the miners often join the mining-camp crowd for supper and may show their latest discoveries. To break apart large rocks, rockhounds will sometimes use sledgehammers. Theyre not made of strong enough metal and people have been hurt from metal chips breaking off the hammer when it hits rock.. Rockhound societies are an excellent way to learn more about rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils. to the trailhead. The rocks, usually collected from the dump piles of local mines, are provided by the bucket full, so youll have plenty to sort through. The largest is the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, which currently has nearly 500 members. website belongs to an official government organization in the This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Maine is one of New England's most popular rock-hounding locations. Be prepared to carry out what you carry in. 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. - See 77 traveler reviews, 81 candid photos, and great deals for Machiasport, ME, at Tripadvisor. 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. Freddie Mercury's extensive collection of costumes, fine art, and even handwritten working lyrics for "We Are the Champions" and "Killer Queen" will be auctioned in September. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Maine is one of New Englands most popular rock-hounding locations. A locations listing here is not a guarantee of accuracy. Earthdance is located at 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, Mass. That being said, before you go exploring and collecting any new locations, its essential to obtain permission and know if there are any restrictions. Quarry for finding many different rocks. Nowadays, feldspar and mica are no longer mined in Maine. TTY: Maine Relay 711 It is, simply put, the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand rock identification system youll find anywhere. 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. Also has bike trails. The team has been learning everything there is to know about how to identify the best locations to prospect for gold throughout Maine for close to a half a century. While the classic association is with a golden-brown gemstone, modern methods have made blue the "default" color. Traveling as a group helps encourage safe practices out in the field. However, some sites were closed off due to intense activity and other reasons. For additional reading, Id highly recommend these books you can find on Amazon: Please remember that rock collecting locations are constantly changing. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. Not only are the changing tides a determining factor for rockhounding success, but they are a real safety concern. 18 Elkins Lane Maine Mineral Adventures, which Zoltan and Jody Matolcsy own, is a recreational mining guide service in western Maine. Permits arevalid for 1 day at one mineral collecting site. Boots preferably steel-toed will make walking over uneven ground easier while also protecting your toes. Map Information, 71 White Mountain Drive The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society feature a free youth program with a family membership to the club. Turn right onto Richardson Hollow Road and continue 0.40 mile to parking area on the right. This way, you dont have to conduct your own research or invest in any equipment. The entrance looks completely prohibited but rest assured, once you park by the ball fields, walk past the Army National Guard signage, and go directly into the woods. Maine's surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. Seasoned rock hounds always have their favorite tools and things they carry, Kroenke said. 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. However, thus far, no dinosaur fossils have been found in Maine yet. Rockhounds can also find green and golden beryl minerals. Rockhounds can also visit the Square Pit, Havey, Trenton, and Alice Staples, which are all near Topsham. Maines surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. Fax: (207) 287-2400 If interested in rockhounding as a one-time activity, you could hire a local guide company such as Dig Maine Gems out of West Paris, Maine. Graphite, Molybdenite, Pyrite, Quartz (clear, milky), Sericite, Albite, Garnet (almandine), Arsenopyrite, Beryl, Columbite, Feldspar, Schorl, etc. Apatite, Auburn: Address, Mt. The walk is uphill and has stray rocks in the path so be careful if walking is difficult for you. The book includes more than 30 locations in Maine, including the Harvard, Waisanen and Tamminen quarries in Greenwood. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map. An official website of the Also saw a few ground critters and several species of birds including a woodpecker. Please read and comply with the conditions stated on the permit. For those doing rock collecting for the first time, keep in mind that the location is a hard rock mine. Rock clubs offer their own lineup of field trips, often collaborating with nearby clubs. endobj One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. A few basic tools are helpful in collecting minerals. Great hike. Among the more popular locations with collectors are Mount Apatite, Lord Hill, and Deer Hill. It is accessible from either the north or south by hiking trails. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl (green, yellow), Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Quartz (milky, rose, smoky), Schorl, etc. The trail is a gradual uphill climb to the intersection with the Conant Trail.
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