rock collecting in maine rock collecting in maine

The best rockhounding sites are usually at quarries and mines, both active and inactive. 2021 Columbia, SC Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. DACF Home From the North: Follow Deer Hill Rd. If youre rockhounding in the quarry wall, you can uncover gem pockets. Augusta, ME 04333 The little town of Topsham is located in Sagadahoc County, Maine. Historic Mining Records (USGS) Oxford has 146 identified mines listed in The Diggings. Not only are the changing tides a determining factor for rockhounding success, but they are a real safety concern. DACF Home Bureaus & Programs Maine Geological Survey Explore Maine Geology Mineral Collecting in Maine Mineral Collecting in Maine. From the open ledge behind the upper quarry, a blazed trail goes north-east a short distance to a scenic overlook of Horseshoe Pond and surrounding mountains. I will have more information on how to check property ownership status later in this article. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Like most of the interesting material in Maine, you're primarily looking for pegmatite to dig into. You wouldnt want to be breaking laws or trespassing. From the trailhead, follow the yellow blazed hiking trail 0.1 miles to a fork in the trail. Poland Mining Camps has obtained exclusive access for our customers to some of the best mineral collecting available in the State of Maine. Share sensitive information only An official website of the Zircon, golden beryl, garnet, autunite, and aquamarine are several other potential finds for rockhounds to unearth. American Geode followed the attached map, and found access to two of the mines, the ones off of Richardson Hollow Road, the Waisanen and Tamminen Quarrie 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 Maine has an excellent reputation among "rockhounds" for the variety and quality of mineral specimens found within its borders. The foremost of these is a sturdy hammer for breaking loose and trimming specimens. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. NOT Fancy, No Bathrooms or facility's and make sure you brink drinking water. Starting in the mid-1800s and extending into the 20th century, quarries were opened to mine pegmatite veins in Oxford, Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties in southwestern Maine. My interest grewspurred on by some beginners luck in the rock pilesand I benefited from living near enough to camp to make frequent visits. Great hike. . Though there are many locations listed here, this list is far from exhaustive. 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. The Norway Historical Society also has a fine display of local minerals. The walk is uphill and has stray rocks in the path so be careful if walking is difficult for you. For those doing rock collecting for the first time, keep in mind that the location is a hard rock mine. Many sites that used to be popular with rockhounds are now closed, including the sites listed here. )'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 You can also read through my free rock identification guide and mineral identification guide which are filled with useful information and tools. 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. Many customers have been making the summer trek for ages and have developed enduring friendships. The trails, once there, are clearly marked. She arises early, rides down to the dining hall in a golf cart, puts the coffee pot on, and makes everyones breakfast to order. We are offering the mineral specimen collector, from beginner to the advanced, a once-in-a-lifetime collecting vacation opportunity. 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. The mine area is covered with small pieces of rock. This process combined the igneous and sedimentary rocks and the heat changed the mineral composition (Jensen 1960) (Shuttlesworth, 1963). There are many other quarries and prospects (listed below) that are equally accessible to the public where you can find an even wider range of specimens. ) or https:// means you've safely 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. And chisels are useful for more delicate work, such as carving gems out of surrounding rock. Pegmatite veins are abundant in parts of Oxford, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc Counties. Maine Gold Prospectors Club is dedicated to helping rockhounds, and gold prospectors learn the ways of gold prospecting. A member of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society holds up a piece of blue-green tourmaline found while on a field trip at Havey Quarry in Poland, Maine. MAINE MINERAL & GEM MUSEUM. Traces of gold have been detected in widely scattered bedrock ore deposits, but most gold prospectors wash the gravel from stream beds in search of nuggets. This was a last minute trip with my 6 y/o twins. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Master Faceter, Avid Rock Hound, World Traveler, Tamminen, Pingree Ledge, and Waisanen Quarries. LockA locked padlock The gymnasium is full of specimens dealers have for sale and displays to enjoy. It is highly advised to put these items in protective zip lock bags to PROTECT from dirt and mud. Supposedly the secret is to observe the environment. x\YoV~V,,;@L;4@yeZ&"J Driving: From jct. Now, there are countless old mines and quarries in Maine, some of which are publicly accessible. Joining up with a local rockhounding club for a group trip can often get you access to otherwise off-limits locations like privately owned mines and quarries. 2 0 obj Rockhounding can get very dirty, so bring Wet-naps as they are very handy to clean off your hands quickly. 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. $$ - $$$ Quick Bites American Seafood, $ Pizza Fast Food Vegetarian Friendly. Gradual uphill grad , easy to negotiate, wide path. PAHLISCH REAL ESTATE. dacf@maine.gov Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Report inappropriate content bonniemaev Bar Harbor, Maine Level Contributor 9,831 posts 8 reviews 17 helpful votes 3. 118 for 0.95 mile. Volume 1: Descriptive Mineralogy. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. More Contacts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Introduction to Mineral Collecting in Maine, Maine Geology at the Smithsonian Institution. A Walk Through Time in Kennebunkport - Celebrating 200+ Years! Common Rocks You Can Find in Maine 68.32 acres lot. Other sources include: This post is part of my State-By-State Rockhounding Guides series. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, along with chisels, small shovels, and any additional tools that may come in handy. Most clubs only charge $20 to $25 a year for families and about $15 for individual memberships. to the mine. For basic tools, Hoffelder suggests a shovel and two hammers: a geology hammer and a crack hammer. Its one of the best rockhound locations in the state because of the quarries nearby. Permits arevalid for 1 day at one mineral collecting site. We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. More Contacts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry. 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! Some rockhounds aim to find valuable gems such as watermelon tourmaline, while others enjoy finding as many different types of minerals as possible. These pegmatites are essentially volcanic intrusions with unusually large crystals and they make for the perfect source rock for collectors. You might also find mica, albite, columbite, fluorite, fluorapatite, feldspar, and almandine garnets. Image Credits Thats especially true of granite pegmatites, the kind found in Oxford and Androscoggin counties and a few other locations in Maine. Meetings typically feature a program revolving around the aspects of rock and mineral collecting. 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. Permits can be obtained at the trailhead. Tourmaline is Maines state mineral. 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. The museum is also home to a world-class meteorite collection that includes the five largest pieces of the moon found on earth, the largest known piece of the Vesta asteroid and an igneous rock. Its hot in Maine in May, and there are a lot of bugs, so do take precautions, take plenty of water, and follow these rules: A cheap dop-kit or toiletry kit is a great idea. Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Dig Me. Please read and comply with the conditions stated on the permit. Directions: Driving Directions can be found at this webpage: http://polandminingcamps.com/contact.html From the South Interstate 95 North, past Portland. 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. 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. I have found records of these rockhounding sites over a variety of sources and offer these locations as a place to start searching. Search for minerals in these rock fragments or in the walls of the mine. (FR9 - closed seasonally) 4.7 mi from NH 113 to the Horseshoe Pond Trail. $239,900. 113 in Stow, Maine turn right onto Deer Hill Rd (FR9). The "hike" up is an access road and is easy. Follow Deer Hill Road 2.2 miles to the Deer Hill Mineral Site trailhead. The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. The book Rockhounding in New England: A Guide to 100 of the Regions Best Rockhounding Sites by Peter Cristofono is a great resource, with the most recent edition released in 2020. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl, Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz (milky, smoky), Sphalerite, Zircon, etc. Augusta, ME 04333 Its a good idea to try and find rockhounding clubs and societies in any area youre interested in hounding. more. Specimens of tourmaline (left and top right), eosphorite (center right) and gahnite (bottom right) found in some of Maines world-famous mining sites. It wasnt long before the Groves adopted me. bike. If youve read this far, its time to introduce you to a word intimately associated with rockhounding in Maine: pegmatite. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Topaz. However, the hike was very pleasant and the quarries were very interesting. Map showing recreational areas. I recommend giving Mary Groves a call rather than sending an email. I cannot personally attest to the accuracy of the given locations or the quality of the material there. 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. Still a great place to lol for amythest and other local stones. Rock clubs offer their own lineup of field trips, often collaborating with nearby clubs. The state of Maine is home to igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Other outdoor recreational opportunities abound in the area including camping, hiking, and biking. 38 minutes ago. 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. Some require permits or permission, some charge a small fee, and still others are open with little to no restrictions aside from treating the site with respect. Park your vehicle then hike up the Mine Road approximately 1.0 mi. The public is more than welcome to join the meetings and listen to the informative discussions. Quartz, Feldspar, Beryl, Mica, Tourmaline. Maybe Ill see you at breakfast. Pingree Ledge Quarry is near Albany and is an excellent place to find milky, smoky, and clear quartz crystals. Theyre not made of strong enough metal and people have been hurt from metal chips breaking off the hammer when it hits rock.. Rockhounds can find feldspar, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, topaz, jasper, rubies, pearls, gold, opal, aquamarine, and many other high-quality pieces. Lord Hill is located in Stoneham, Maine. However, some sites were closed off due to intense activity and other reasons. Mt. This story was originally published in April 2021. Regarding membership prices, an individual membership is $15 a year and $20 a year for families. Postal Service one-rate boxes to put their treasures in transit. A family membership includes couples or spouses and any children younger than 18 years of age living in the same household. A pegmatite outcrop or a pegmatite exposed by prospecting or mining can be the source of some of the most eye-catching gemstones and other rare specimens in the mineralogical world. stream Re: Best locations for rock . 358 were here. 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. But one great thing about rockhounding or field collecting is that it doesnt take a lot of money to start. I would love to come back when I have more time to look for rocks and bring plenty of bug spray. <>>> Map Information, 71 White Mountain Drive 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. Apatite, Auburn: Address, 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. And discoveries of more gem-rich veins of pegmatite are still being made. endobj That said before you head out exploring, you should check this list to ensure youre not wasting your precious time. 1 0 obj (Hint: Summer Saturdays are usually lobster night.). Many other items are handy for collecting and staying comfortable during outdoor activity. There are several rockhounding clubs in Maine so you can most likely find one you like nearby. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; %PDF-1.5 Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Biotite, Fluorapatite, Microcline, Muscovite, Quartz, Schorl. All rights reserved. Got distracted by the tranquility and nature. 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. Poland Mining Camps (207-998-2350) is open by reservation for cabin-style lodging from early June through Labor Day in 2019. The little town of Paris, in Oxford County, Maine, is an excellent intersection between a few different rockhounding sites. 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. Some examples of metamorphic rocks are slate, marble, quartzite and granite (Shuttlesworth, 1963). This isa small parking area at a curve in the road. I even found a couple of small frogs on the trail. The Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association (OCMGA) was organized in March of 1948. Even if you dont find gems of value, the experience of sifting through rocks is fun in and of itself, Turcotte said. If youre on the hunt for fossils, Maines bedrock holds preserved fossils dating back from 500 to 360 million years ago. Perham is the storyteller extraordinaireand yes, the mineral perhamite is named in his honor. Collection of valuable rocks and gemstones is quite fascinating for some people, and every year, Maine welcomes an uncountable number of geologists on its lands. Others such as the Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, Penobscot Mineral and Lapidary Club and Kennebec Rocks and Minerals Club have fewer members but may be just as active, offering field trips, workshops and rock shows. Graphite, Molybdenite, Pyrite, Quartz (clear, milky), Sericite, Albite, Garnet (almandine), Arsenopyrite, Beryl, Columbite, Feldspar, Schorl, etc. If done with care, rockhounding can be a great family activity. The Maine State Museum in Augusta contains an exhibit of superb tourmalines and other crystals and gems from Maine. Document Viewers - including PDF and Word. Apatite last Friday!! 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. However, thus far, no dinosaur fossils have been found in Maine yet. Above all, private property should be respected, and the owner's permission should be obtained where possible before entering a collecting site. Keep a close eye, there is unsure footing and loose gravel. Do not use carpenter hammers, Hoffelder said. I think they are green frogs from the banjo sounding call. 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. From Deer Hill Rd., the trail descends moderately past the Styles grave, which is on the right of the trail, then enters a gravel road and turns right onto it. to the trailhead. The Bibliography is part of the. Beaches along the Atlantic coast are also popular for collecting jasper and agates. Important Disclaimer: I have not been to these locations myself, and I do not know if they are currently open for collecting. One of my favorites is beryl. These quarries and mines are prime targets for rockhounds looking to find high-quality specimens of desirable rocks and minerals because relatively fresh material has been exposed and the area has already been proven to be productive. Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground runs a sluice seasonally, as does Dig Maine Gems. 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. What a little gem in Auburn, nice little hike to do with kids. Anglesite, Bornite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Epidote, Galena, Goethite, Hematite, Limonite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, Smithsonite, Wulfenite, etc. These special types of hammers often available at local hardware stores are designed for working with rock. There are many benefits to becoming a rock and mineral club member, and the fees are typically affordable. If interested in pursuing rockhounding as an activity you do on a regular basis, its helpful to join a local club. Energy bars, candy bars, bananas, oranges, apples, and nuts are great for keeping up your energy and last the entire day. 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. Open dawn until dusk on most days. 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. Good luck! However, if it is geodes youre after, youll have more luck if you explore the quarries in Washington and Hancock counties. Most mineral collecting activity takes place in the larger of the 2 quarry pits. Bean in Freeport are within convenient travel distance from the mining district. Also has bike trails. 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. ) or https:// means you've safely You should place a call to family and loved ones before heading out and if you are running late. This is particularly true of coarse-grained metamorphic rocks produced by the deep burial and recrystallization of ancient marine sediments. Rockhounds can find feldspar, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, topaz, jasper, rubies, pearls, gold, opal, aquamarine, and many other high-quality pieces. A lot of people will bring kids with them, and they get hooked, Turcotte said. I enjoyed the solitude and big country feeling of hunting up in the Andover area of East -B Hill Rd. The ledges and boulders surrounding the quarry pits show . Some are open to the public for collecting at select times of the week, often on weekends. I read about bringing bug spray but totally forgot to bring some. 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. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. How much will you find? Albite, Garnet (almandine), Beryl (green, golden), Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite (clear, green, purple), Fluorite, Feldspar, Quartz crystals (clear, milky, smoky), Schorl, etc. The Kennebec Rocks and Mineral Club is dedicated to rockhounding recreation in its many forms and phases. The youth program includes separate age-appropriate meetings during their regularly scheduled club meetings, kids activities, and field trips. Small notepad and pen or pencil for keeping notes. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Notable minerals and rocks in Maine Gemstones and minerals are found abundantly in Maine. Since their inception in 2007, their sustainability has been largely dependent on their partnerships with local mining .