Field Trips
We typically go on field trips on the second Saturday of the month.
November 2023
Cagmags members took a field trip to Northern Arkansas to mine pink dolomite and calcite found and collected in berms that lined the collecting site. One huge boulder received particular attention in that it had crevices and cracks in it in which one was tempted with large pink dogtooth crystals of dolomite. It was a contest of rockhound vs rock....despite the best efforts of our intrepid club president, who sacrificed a finger to the effort, as well as the rest of us, the boulder was victorious. Overall, it was a memorable and fantastic field trip . Much appreciation is expressed to the land owners and to Jay for organizing this trip.
March 9, 2024
16 people attended the most recent CAGMAGS Dig Field trip to Magnet Cove. The creek was overflowing due to the storms the night before and that made it a little challenging to dig but we all had a great time and found some great minerals (layered mica, quartz, jasper, calcite, and black garnets). We also had a wonderful tour of a nearby quarry that used to mine Novaculite! Lastly we looked up the road for smoky quartz and Brookite. It was an educational and experiential field-trip!
Field trip to Moses Hill
June 1, 2024
Vaughanda Bowie and Tom Uselton participated in a special Crystal Collector dig at a site in Magnet Cove called Moses Hill. For a bit of background, Moses Hill lies right off Highway 51 and across from the cemetery in Magnet Cove. The primary minerals found at this site are smoky quartz and brookite. Moses Hill is part of the Rutherford Formation located in and around Magnet Cove. Earlier this year, Avant Mining Co obtained a short term lease (1 year from March) of Moses Hill. Bryan Major, The Crystal Collector, conducted a special 4 day dig. The site had been trenched and pockets of crystal bearing clay exposed. Heavy rain the previous few days had turned the hill into a quagmire. Sixty participants were expected but only approximately 40 showed up. The muddy conditions notwithstanding, most attendees had no trouble filling at least one 5 gallon bucket. Unfortunately, opportunities to mine at this location are soon to end. After Avant’s lease runs out, homes and apartments are scheduled to be constructed on Moses Hill. Tom and Vaughanda were fortunate to have the opportunity to dig at this great site one last time.
June 1, 2024
Vaughanda Bowie and Tom Uselton participated in a special Crystal Collector dig at a site in Magnet Cove called Moses Hill. For a bit of background, Moses Hill lies right off Highway 51 and across from the cemetery in Magnet Cove. The primary minerals found at this site are smoky quartz and brookite. Moses Hill is part of the Rutherford Formation located in and around Magnet Cove. Earlier this year, Avant Mining Co obtained a short term lease (1 year from March) of Moses Hill. Bryan Major, The Crystal Collector, conducted a special 4 day dig. The site had been trenched and pockets of crystal bearing clay exposed. Heavy rain the previous few days had turned the hill into a quagmire. Sixty participants were expected but only approximately 40 showed up. The muddy conditions notwithstanding, most attendees had no trouble filling at least one 5 gallon bucket. Unfortunately, opportunities to mine at this location are soon to end. After Avant’s lease runs out, homes and apartments are scheduled to be constructed on Moses Hill. Tom and Vaughanda were fortunate to have the opportunity to dig at this great site one last time.