November 20th 2006 Whipple Mountains rock collecting trip

November 20th 2006, north of Vidal Junction off of Hwy 95 in the Whipple Mountains for chalcedony, chalcedony roses, chalcedony nodules and druzy quartz can be found here. Chalcedony is quartz made molten by extreme heat on quartz veins either by volcanic activity or deep Earth upthrust and cooled with a mixture of gases and mineral inclusions resulting in bytroldal, small quartz crystals in a vacuum. Associated matrix is usually basalt and rhyolite which is softer than quartz and erodes away leaving these beautiful and oddly shaped chalcedony [nodeules] stones that you find. When quartz is molten it has the consistency of toothpaste. We will meet on the north side of the T/A [Trans America] Truck Stop Parking lot at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Dillon Rd in Coachella. Meeting time is 7:00 AM prompt, not a minute later so please allow 15 minutes early to insure promptness. Thankyou.


Collecting area seen from 1500' above.

Chalcedony rose