Sorry, my experience with Mt. Maine minerals are world famous, Hoffelder said. The clubs monthly meetings are held on the third Friday of every month, and visitors are not only welcome but encouraged to stop in. If interested in pursuing rockhounding as an activity you do on a regular basis, its helpful to join a local club. There are several rockhounding clubs in Maine so you can most likely find one you like nearby. Most of them were commercially worked for mica or feldspar, creating piles of waste rock ("dumps") where collectors search for specimens. Turn right onto Greenwood Road and drive north west 5.30 miles. Once you're done collecting your gems and minerals, check out some of the awesome programming Earthdance offers such as arts nights, dance classes and barefoot discos. Dont let the name deceive you. Mostly patridge at the end of my barrel. July 17, 2017. Queen's frontman had said he . The walk is uphill and has stray rocks in the path so be careful if walking is difficult for you. Lord Hill is located in Stoneham, Maine. 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. TTY: Maine Relay 711 Tip: Check out my Complete Rockhounding Guide for tips on planning your rockhounding trip and getting the most out of your time in the field! Got distracted by the tranquility and nature. Rockhounding in Maine, is some great rockhounding, in fact some of the best rockhounding the American Geode team has ever experienced because of the ease and accessibility of the Maine mines! Maine is, without a doubt, the best state in New England for rock and mineral collectors thanks to the widespread, high-quality pegmatites that make up a large portion of the surface geology. 12006 Nottingham Dr, Pasco, WA 99301. Portland International Jetport, a Class C airspace airport with major airline service, is about an hours drive from the mining district. Official websites use .gov A .gov However, some sites were closed off due to intense activity and other reasons. 2021 Columbia, SC Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. She arises early, rides down to the dining hall in a golf cart, puts the coffee pot on, and makes everyones breakfast to order. Copyright 2021 Maine is home to a handful of active geology and mineral clubs. 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. The Lubec Lead Mine, near Lubec, Maine, is an excellent rockhound location for explorers to score decent specimens. Copyright 2021 Go in at the ball field and national guard station off Garfield Rd. Many other items are handy for collecting and staying comfortable during outdoor activity. Some pegmatites are enriched in uncommon minerals such as beryl, topaz, and colored tourmaline; they may also contain very rare species or large crystals of various minerals. You dont have to worry about tripping or falling.. However, thus far, no dinosaur fossils have been found in Maine yet. Most of Maines gems and rare minerals are found in a coarse-grained variety of granite called pegmatite, according to a Virtual Tour of Maine Minerals created by the Maine Geological Survey. I really recommend sluices for those who have young kids, said Maggie Kroenke, store manager at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. There are occasional outings restricted to club members only where federations or clubs set up special trips to quarries where the quarry owners set off blasts or turn over the dups using an excavator to unearth new materials. You can cover biology, ecology, and geology easily in the same park. Bean in Freeport are within convenient travel distance from the mining district. Some of the most important minerals and gems in Maine are tourmalines, beryl, and quartz. 117 and 118 in Norway, go west on Rte. Updated: 9:55 AM EDT April 26, 2023. Get extra lift from AOPA. 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. % The Maine Mineralogical & Geological Society (MMGS) is a non-profit organization thats dedicated to all of the cultural and educational aspects of mineralogy, geology, the lapidary arts, and related subjects. Mosquito coils and matches are necessary, and we suggest having a minimum of 7 with you at all times. Re: Best locations for rock . It is accessible from either the north or south by hiking trails. A Walk Through Time in Kennebunkport - Celebrating 200+ Years! There are many benefits to becoming a rock and mineral club member, and the fees are typically affordable. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. MAINE MINERAL & GEM MUSEUM. Common Rocks You Can Find in Maine The Kennebec Rocks and Mineral Clubs monthly field trips are usually held on the Sunday following their monthly meeting. Rockhounds can also find green and golden beryl minerals. The club also wants to maintain the common interest through social meetings and open discussions. Permits can be obtained at the trailhead. 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. The photos were collected between 1940 and 1996 at scales from 1:6,000 to 1:80,000 and are available for use at the Maine Geological Survey during office hours. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl, Biotite, Columbite, Kasolite, Felspar, Mica, Opal (hyalite), Pyrite, Schorl, Zircon. It is highly advised to put these items in protective zip lock bags to PROTECT from dirt and mud. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They come in small travel packs. TTY: Maine Relay 711 Maine has an excellent reputation among "rockhounds" for the variety and quality of mineral specimens found within its borders. Phone: (207) 287-3200 Taking samples in Maine State Parks is prohibited without special permission. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. For a short time this location was mined for feldspar but was not profitable. For those who cannot attend in-person meetings, the club holds e-board meetings. Also saw a few ground critters and several species of birds including a woodpecker. Doing so can put you in touch with others who may have lesser-known locations to check out. The Maine countryside is absolutely riddled with old mines and quarries which have historically targeted the pegmatite veins exposed by glaciation and erosion. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you would like to read some of the source material for yourself I have listed them below. Image Credits Pingree Ledge Quarry is near Albany and is an excellent place to find milky, smoky, and clear quartz crystals. The Deer Hill amethyst locality is a pegmatite of granitic composition. Additional information on finding and identifying mineral specimens can be obtained from libraries, "rock shops," and the references listed below. People will always find something to take home, Kroenke said of rockhounding. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Volume 2: Mining History, Gems, and Geology. Lord Hill is a granite pegmatite that was mined commercially for feldspar at one time. I would love to come back when I have more time to look for rocks and bring plenty of bug spray. Micros are a great way to participate if you live in a tiny city apartment but cant resist collecting rocks. More Contacts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Introduction to Mineral Collecting in Maine, Maine Geology at the Smithsonian Institution. 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. Great Family Day Hike, GREAT "FREE" family fun. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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. Feldspar is used for many things, from teacups to toilets, Hoffelder said. Turn left on to Foxboro Road staying right for 2.1 mi. <> All rights reserved. That being said, before you go exploring and collecting any new locations, its essential to obtain permission and know if there are any restrictions. How much will you find? ( This club is interested in teaching anyone, from the weekend hobbyist to novices up to professionals who know a thing or two. Lots of mica and different kinds of rock, haven't found any tourmaline yet but I often see people up there with mining gear finding things. This site is devoted to sharing my love of rocks with you. Document Viewers - including PDF and Word. To find them, all you have to do is dig and perhaps use a hammer and chisel. Concentrating on granite pegmatite collecting, we also have a few . Photos by Dan Namowitz. The hike was nice although the trails were not particularly well marked. We suggest setting aside the day for rockhounding and exploring the area. The majority of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Bestes A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. 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. 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. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, along with chisels, small shovels, and any additional tools that may come in handy. To get to this area you park near a military installation which is a bit unusual. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Apatite, Auburn: Address, Mt. 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. Permits arevalid for 1 day at one mineral collecting site. Apatite Tourmaline and Beryl - (1 upload(s), 1 collector specimens from same city, 1 collector specimens from nearby locations) Bethel Songo Pond Mine - (1 collector specimens) Eastport ,Maine loring cove Poland Poland Mining Camps - Maine - (1 collector specimens from same city, 1 collector specimens from nearby locations) Small Point Hermit Island Almandine Garnet Rare minerals have been found at Lord Hill including Triplite, Uraninite, Vivianite, Zircon, Gahnite, Fluorapatite, Bertrandite. To get started, you can check out my recommended gear page which contains my full reviews for every Geologists favorite rock hammer and the best hiking backpack Ive ever owned. The different states in New England include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Biotite, Columbite, Tourmaline (green elbaite), Fluorapatite, Quartz crystals, Schorl, Andalusite, Arsenopyrite, Bornite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Goethite, Gold, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz, Silver, Sphalerite. Irving Dudy Groves and his wife, Mary, built Poland Mining Camps, in Poland, Maine, pretty much by hand several decades ago. This is because of the variety of minerals, crystals, and gemstones. x\YoV~V,,;@L;4@yeZ&"J Rock clubs offer their own lineup of field trips, often collaborating with nearby clubs. Seasoned rock hounds always have their favorite tools and things they carry, Kroenke said. 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. 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. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 13 0 R 16 0 R 17 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> This rockhounding society hosts an annual show at the Augusta Armory every Labor Day weekend. 113 in Stow, Maine turn right onto Deer Hill Rd (FR9). Go left onto the Conant Trail and follow the trail for 0.3 miles to the Lord Hill summit. And a helmet should be worn if youre searching near a rock wall where small rocks could tumble down from overhead. Loring Cove in Perry is another prime location, with the potential to find agates, calcite, malachite, analcime, prehnite, amethyst, bloodstone, chalcedony, and various quartz specimens. The trail is a gradual uphill climb to the intersection with the Conant Trail. Document Viewers - including PDF and Word. You get out in the fresh air, he said, and theres something about digging in the dirt that just makes you happy., Aislinn Sarnacki is a Maine outdoors writer and the author of three Maine hiking guidebooks including Family Friendly Hikes in Maine. Find her on Twitter and Facebook @1minhikegirl. The trail follows this road, keeping straight at a junction in 100 yd. I'm Mike Rhea, and I'm a professional Geologist with a passion for rocks, minerals, and everything related to Geology. Many sites that used to be popular with rockhounds are now closed, including the sites listed here. Copyright 2022 Rockhound Resource | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Havey, Trenton, Square Pit, and Alice Staples Quarries near Topsham, Harvard, Tamminen, and Waisanen Quarries, near Greenwood, Ryerson Hill Quarry & Crocker Hill Mines, near Paris, Baldpate Mountain, in pegmatites and float, Rockhounding on Public Land: Laws and Regulations, Can You Collect Rocks in State Parks? The Norway Historical Society also has a fine display of local minerals. Phone: (207) 287-3200 This site contains affiliate links to products. Boots preferably steel-toed will make walking over uneven ground easier while also protecting your toes. 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. 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. endobj 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. ":h)&KLvf,sGeC?4{_mZr4X5F23e#-4vyY3v*1SK _{ bR3u Ri Pe)l4+H T4@i^t mORlm[SL[5/-.^Cp`{nX5-C8Y4 }GRYq!e6DxqV JAHg KH#$r*`}(K(S3,a1Bc)QWMn'Y2muT%essx8y! Do not use carpenter hammers, Hoffelder said. 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.
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