[Rockhounds] Virgin Valley Nevada Collecting

[Dean Welder]

First off, a warning: just because you are renting a 4WD vehicle does
not mean it can get you to places easily. Most 4wd sold (or rentable)
have, IMNSHO, crap tires which makes the 4WD only marginally better
than 2wd. And let me combine that with: you don't have much desert
experience? Please please be extra careful. Ok, climbing down off
soapbox now.

I've only done the bank dig once. As I mentioned, I typically don't
like "hard rock" type digging, that's just the way I am. The potential
for spectacular pieces is definitely there but as Tim sortof mentioned
"worth it" is a personal decision.

The hammer I referred to is a standard geologist or rockhound hammer. I
use the pointed tip to gently break up mud balls. Tim mentioned using a
screwdriver or similar sharp instrument for the same purpose. I used a
hammer because that is what I had, Tim's suggestion is also a good one.

Dean
--- Clyde Phillips <getclyde at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hi Dean, Thanks for the info. I will be paying attention to all the
> details
> anyone gives us. I have seen some very expensive rates for some
> places to
> collect in the walls.  Do you feel this is worth it?  I have to look
> at this
> as possibly the only time I will make it, as the distance is long and
> I am
> not retired.  We plan to be there over the Memorial weekend for a
> couple
> days. I am mapping out other places in Nevada also, but probably not
> too
> deep into the wilderness mostly because of lack of experience in
> desert
> areas. I have a four-wheel drive vehicle (renting) and plenty of GPS
> gadgets, but am flying in from PA, which limits the tool selection I
> bring.
> The hammer you referred to, is that a geologist-type hammer or a
> small crack
> hammer?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Clyde
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com
> [mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] On Behalf Of Dean
> Welder
> Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 5:11 PM
> To: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem
> collectors
> Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] Virgin Valley Nevada Collecting
> 
> Hi Clyde,
> 
> My family has visited Virgin Valley a couple of times. Sometimes with
> good luck and other times with only a tiny bit of luck. We have
> mostly
> visited the Rainbow Ridge mine (http://www.nevadaopal.com/) and
> ocassionally the Royal Peacock (http://www.royalpeacock.com/) mine.
> Each mine has different aspects that can be viewed as pluses or
> minuses. A couple of samples of material we have collected can be
> seen
> at (http://www.peregrine-rocks.com/rocksmin/vvopal.shtml).
> 
> We are planning another visit this spring, early June. We like to
> camp
> in the CCC camp. We are typically walkers and explorers rather than
> hard-rock-mining type collectors, which is why we have mostly visited
> Rainbow ridge and either done (tractor) buckets or tailings diggings.
> 
> 
> I suggest bringing a long handled garden rake or a "treasure scoop"
> for
> tailings digging. Also a rock hammer to break up "mud balls" that can
> actually be surrounding nice pieces. One of my wife's nicest black
> opal
> pieces is about the size of 1/2 a baseball - it started out as a
> very-large-grapegruit size that was totally crusted with mud. Also, a
> resealable container (heavy duty zip lock bags, plastic peanut butter
> jars, or ?) to place your finds into with damp paper towels for a
> slow-dry.
> 
> Good luck! When are you going?
> 
> Dean
> 
> 
> --- Clyde Phillips <getclyde at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> > Hi All,   I'm planning an excursion to Nevada (Reno) and would
> > appreciate
> > any tips, tales, or successful collection stories about either the
> > Virgin
> > Valley area or the route to it from Reno. I'm not going there for a
> > few
> > months yet, but am planning ahead.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Thanks in advance..
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Clyde
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
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> 
> 
>  
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