[Rockhounds] Texas: Terlingua & Big Bend National Park - Minerals?

[jb]

Johan Mineral Verizon wrote:
> I will be visiting Texas: Terlingua & Big Bend National Park
> While I understand the rules for National Parks, and I am familiar
> with the igneous rock history, are there particular geological or
> mineralogical phenomena to search/watch for in Big Bend National
> Park?
>
> What is the collecting situation in the Terlingua mercury mining
> ghost town?
>   
If you are anywhere near Big Bend NP, be sure to stop by the Woodward 
Ranch South of Alpine, TX on the road to Terlingua. They have a museum 
showing all of the nice plume agate found around the area, and have been 
a rockhounding destination for generations. Google "Woodward Ranch" for 
plenty of information.

Another good source of information is Terry at the Antelope Lodge just 
West of town on Rte. 90.

Marfa is somewhat of an "art colony" and there are good rock shops 
there, but they tend more to be jewelry specialists.  But the Marfa 
Lights, if you are lucky enough to see them, are not to be missed.

McDonald Observatory, with its World-class solar telescope, is only a 3 
hour drive from Alpine.

The road South from Marathon to Big Bend is noteworthy for the great and 
clear exposure of uplift faults and a large graben.

Terlingua is hit and miss most of the time. The old sources are mostly 
gone and finding anything has a lot to do with serendipity.  Perhaps 
your best bet is finding someone through Terry or through the Geology 
Department at Sul Ross State University in Alpine who can point you to 
knowledgeable people. Terlingua Creek has been the best general source 
of specimens  as it constantly overturns things, including old dump 
material, if you can get access.

The geology of the NP itself is well-covered by the resident rangers and 
publications.

There are numerous lead, silver, and mercury prospects and mines 
throughout the whole area, but they are mostly on private land and are 
not well-known. None are active at the present time as far as I know.


john