Salmon Creek Agates and Carnelian

Because my beloved Greenwater is under snow at this time of year, I have been looking for alternate places to hunt for good rocks.

I have been reading quite a bit about agates, petrified wood, jasper and carnelian being found in the Salmon Creek area, so when we finally had a decent day and time off, we headed down there.

Needless to say, we got our usual late start. Then we discovered that we couldn't find our makeshift probe (a fireplace poker), so we had to make do with a flimsy probe I made for locating old outhouse holes (yeah I know, weird huh?).

We headed out towards Salmon Creek around 12:00pm with about 75 miles to travel. Since it was I-5 most of the way, we made good time and arrived around 1:30pm.

With about 2 1/2 hours to look (we had to be in Tacoma by 6:00pm for a family dinner),  we packed up and headed out from the end of Salmon Creek Rd. near Toledo according to an older map I had. With the deep ruts placed across the road to block four wheelers, we decided to leave our trusty wagon behind. I figured the area would be fairly well picked over, but we decided to check out every stream we passed on our trek through the woods.

http://www.gametrails.com/Maps/salmon%20creek.pdf

At the very first stream we came to, near an old dilapidated bridge, (Cougar Creek) we headed down to the gravel bars and immediately began to find agates. I was shocked! The water was fairly low and we could see the rocks really well. Of course the sun coming out and highlighting the clear stones certainly helped.

Cougar Creek Bridge

While I hunted near the bridge, Michael went upstream a ways. He seems to be particularly drawn to black rocks for some reason. He kept finding what he thought looked like obsidian. Maybe black agate?

Michael Looking

Every few steps I took, I'd find something else worth keeping. There were lots of small chips of carnelian, which I left behind. With the water being so clear, it was easy pickings.

Nice Gravel Bars

We saw quite a bit of red jasper, which we also left behind. I've got lots of that from Greenwater.

It looks like I missed some.

After we had halfway filled our handy Home Depot aprons, we decided to head further down the trail. Somewhere along the way we zigged instead of zagged and ended up at the top of a fairly large waterfall and a dead end. I tried to get a picture from standing above the falls but with really muddy banks to the sides, I decided not to risk falling. 

Looking around the area, we noticed quite a few chips of carnelian laying around, but we didn't really feel like digging, so we turned around and headed back to Cougar Creek and looked below the bridge for a while. We found a few more keepers and decided to head back to the car. I did find one really interesting piece of petrified wood that has red and black coloring with crystals along the sides.

All in all it was a great day. We will definitely be back to this area in the near future. With my Alaska sister coming to visit next month, we now have a place to take her that isn't under snow. I have also found further information on better (and less well known) spots along Salmon Creek to check out.

A Few of Our Great Finds

For further trip reports on this area, view the links below.

http://www.brianpen.com/Journal/Journal_2009February.asp
http://home.comcast.net/~wams1939/trips/Salmon_Creek.htm
http://mcrocks.com/ftr06/RichardPrice-February06.html
http://www.gametrails.com/wordpress/?p=270

Saddle Mountain Washington

 After returning home from New Mexico, I figured I'd just take it easy for a while and recharge my batteries. But as luck would have it, I somehow ended up with a four day weekend off and nothing to do. My husband, a diehard camper had missed out on a planned trip earlier because of my unexpected trip down to New Mexico, so we planned a spur of the moment trip to Central Washington to search out nice rockhounding spots.

We decided to head to the Yakima River area because it was pretty cool in the Rosalyn area and Yakima sounded warmer. Unfortunately I didn't do my homework on the rockhounding areas and we almost ended up with nothing but a nice camping trip along the river (not so bad). 


We ended up setting up camp at the Bighorn Campground late Friday night. All the river spots were taken by all the rafters and fishermen, but we had a really nice spot anyway. I highly recommend this campground over the many other BLM sites we passed, because it had a lot more shade than the others further South.

Nice Shady Camping Spot at Bighorn Campground

The next morning, rather than tubing down the river (which did look like a lot of fun), we decided to go rock hunting. I had an old book which told about petrified wood along Umtanum Creek. It had little other information. It just said search the canyons and river beds to the south of Umtanum Creek Trail. So we headed down the river to the Umtanum bridge.

Yakima River Rafters - Looks Like Fun!

Umtanum Bridge

It was easy to find the suspension bridge. It's the only one across the river. As soon as we got to the other side, we ran into two out-of-breath hikers who told us to beware of the rattlesnake up the trail. Well, that did it for us. Even though we were both raised in New Mexico and never gave a thought to rattlesnakes, we suddenly became super aware of the possibility and did not have the courage to leave the stupid trail to look for petrified wood. We just couldn't do it! Meanwhile, Bandito decided that the upper 80's was too much for him and settled into the creek at the first spot we came to.

Bandito Laying in the Creek

We found a few chips of petrified wood laying under the railroad bridge at the beginning of the trail and near a washout area up the trail, but we were just too conscious of the snake danger to get off into the brush and look, so we just found a shady spot near the river and rested awhile and headed back.

View of the Yakima River Valley from the Umtanum Creek Trail

I have since done my homework and now know where to look, but that trip will have to wait for cooler weather when the snakes aren't around.

The next day, Sunday, we had two choices of places to hunt. I had read a bloggers report about petrified wood up the Old Durr Toll Road, and Saddle Mountain, which was about an hour away on the other side of the Columbia River. I did have specific directions to Saddle Mountain, but the Old Durr Road was closer, so we headed that direction first. Here is an interesting description of this historic road: BackroadsofNorthAmerica.com.


It was a cool day as we started our  drive down the road. There was a great view of rolling hills and farms along the way.

Farm House on Durr Road

Several miles down the road we were greeted with a huge sign with the notice that a Discover Pass was required. This notice should have been posted at the beginning of the road. We decided to just continue on.

Now You Tell Us a Discover Pass is Required?

The road was VERY rough and had spots where melon-sized rocks had been put down for traction. There were some spots with steep drop-offs and we had to cross Umtanum Creek without the benefit of a bridge. All in all, it was not too bad, and I wouldn't classify it as a 4-wheel drive only road. You do need a high clearance vehicle with really good tires though. After inching along for several miles, we finally came to a 3-way intersection and decided to stop. There was an old ranch gateway just sitting out in the middle of nowhere.

Gateway to Where?

After searching around the area, we only found a few small pieces of petrified wood. Later I would discover we were searching the wrong side of the hill. Just our luck! We decided to head back and get over to Saddle Mountain where I had good directions. It took us quite a while to get back down Durr Road and over the Columbia River, but we made it in a couple of hours.

Saddle Mountain is a well-known rock hounding area on BLM land outside of Mattawa. The petrified wood found in this area is what is known as "bog" wood. The theory is that there were piles of downed trees in a swampy area and a lava flow came along and buried it. Then over time, the minerals turned the trees into stone and then the lava started to erode and expose the wood. Whatever the theory, there is sure a lot of wood out there!

As soon as we reached the first area we found pieces of wood laying around everywhere. We immediately started following the pieces to some good sized dig holes. Michael, a firm believer in digging, started going at it. Me, I reconnoitered the area looking for the best spots to dig. I found so much without digging that I just kept collecting.

Can You See The Petrified Wood?

When we left, we felt bad about picking up the small pieces we first found because the wood was everywhere! at the second spot, we found a huge hole with trees visible embedded in the rock. I know Michael was thinking he was glad he hadn't had to dig that hole!

I Have to Dig That Deep?

The agatized wood inside the hole was beautiful. We chipped at it a while, but decided it was just damaging the whole log and there was plenty of large pieces laying around for our needs.

Agatized Logs at the Bottom of the Hole

All in all, our trip to Saddle Mountain made the day a huge success and we were really glad we headed out there. We'll definitely have to make another trip in the fall. I know that for sure after reading this trip report from the Kitsap Gem & Mineral Club. Meanwhile, we were completely happy with our finds for the day.

The Pile of Our Finds

Close-up View

Central Oregon Rockhounding Locations

Bear Creek 

What: Petrified Wood 

Agency: Bureau of Land Managaement 

Directions: From Prineville, proceed south on Highway 27 about 33 miles to Bear 
Creek road. This is beyond Roberts and Little Bear Creek roads. Turn left for 5 
1/2 miles. Turn off road to left just before fence. Go short distance through the 
gate and bear right or park your vehicle on the road 3/4 miles to the east and 
travel north along the west side of the fence. 
Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
CAUTION: Respect private lands in the vicinity. 


Eagle Rock 

What: Agate, dendrites, moss agate and sometimes angel wing. 
Agency: Bureau of Land Management 

Prineville to milepost 14, to monolith on right. Turn right at the second road. The 
distance to the site is short but sharply inclined and rough. 
Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels.
Directions: Take Highway 380 from Prineville
Note: Diggings are mostly at the base of the rim. Beautiful float found from 

mountain skirt at base of rim rock to the flat below. Hard digging. Mostly 

agate with rhyolite. 

CAUTION: There are private claims throughout this area, but open BLM lands 

surround these claims. 


Glass Butte 

What: Gold, silver and rainbow sheen Obsidian. 
Agency: Bureau of Land Management 

nd Burns, near milepost 77, turn south on Obsidian Road. About 2 miles brings 
you to an area with many diggings. Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
Note: Explore different areas for 
Directions: On US 20 between Bend 
adifferent varieties of obsidian (midnight lace, black, cinnamon, mahogany and

fire obsidian). 
CAUTION: Keep to roads; obsidian can cut tires. Respect private lands in the vicinity. 


Green Jasper Location 

What: Green Jasper 

Agency: Ochoco National Forest 

Directions: Follow US 26 past milepost 48 to Road 2630 (Pisgah Lookout road).
After 3/4 mile, merge onto Road 2210, turn right on Road 2210-300 for 2 miles,
then right to diggings at end of the road. 
Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
Note: Scarce, but beautiful. 


Maury Mountain 

What: Red, green and gold moss agate 

This agate is of the moss variety with some angel wing and plume found throughout.
The moss appears in gold, green, red and many combination shades. Sometimes
the dendritic moss formation develops into a beautiful white plume.
Agency: Ochoco National Forest 

Directions: Go east on Highway 380 Post/Paulina to milepost 33. Turn right 

across the bridge on Road 16 for about 5 miles, crossing the Ochoco National 
Forest boundary. Turn right on Road 1680 (Drake Butte road), travel about 2 
miles. Turn right on Road 1690 and follow to parking area. 
Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only.

Note: A little float. 



South Fork Area 

What: Limb Casts 

In the early days of the earth's origin, forests, and a large lake bed covered 
the area. Trees, complete with limbs and roots, were buried by massive 
mudflows. Through  time, the plant material decayed, leaving a perfect 
mold or cast. These voids filled with chalcedony quartz. In this material, 
appeared manganese and other impurities which produced some very 
beautiful dendrites and, in some cases, gave a pink color to the otherwise 
clear agate. These casts are located at an average depth of 18 inches. 
They are found in streams and on surfaces weathered by wind and rain.
Agency: Bureau of Land Management 
Directions: Two locations on South Fork Crooked River on BLM managed land. 

On the Camp Creek side of Highway 380 Post/Paulina to milepost 44, right on 

Camp Creek road for 9 miles. Left on road just past rock quarry. Go about 2 

miles. Take left fork and go through fence line. Follow about 2 miles and turn 

right at next fork. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left to diggings. On the 

Congleton Hollow side of Highway 380 to milepost 50, turn right just beyond

the river. Follow about 5 miles to diggings. 

Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
Note: Part of the South Fork area is a BLM wilderness study area. Contact BLM 

for a map. Vehicle use is restricted to the designated routes. No cross country 

motorized use. Some surface hunting. 


Vistaite Location 

What: Green and buckskin rhyolite 
Agency: Ochoco National Forest 

Directions: Go east on US 26 to milepost 34. Take right hand fork about 13 
miles past Ochoco Ranger Station. Take Road 22 and follow until you see 
"Walton Lake 2 Miles" sign. Turn left on Road 2210 for 100 feet, then right 
on Road 2210-050 for 1 mile. Float in black adobe. 
Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels
Note: Scarce but very beautiful. 


Whistler Springs 

What: Agate 

Agency: Ochoco National Forest 

Directions: Go east on US 26 to milepost 49. Turn left of Road 27 for about 6 
miles. There are some narrow, winding sections, which can be marginal in 
wet weather. Turn left on Road 2700-050, Whistler Springs Campground. 
For a gentler, longer route, from US 26, turn left on Road 27 for 0.8 miles, 
right on Road 2730 for 11.2 miles, left on Road 2730-200 for 5 miles to 
Road 27. Cross the road to Whistler Springs Campground. 
Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
CAUTION: Mill Creek Wilderness bounds the southern end of the agate area.  
Watch for the Mill Creek Wilderness boundary signs. 


White Fir Springs 

What: Jasper Thunderegg 

The eggs are of agatized jasper composition with rhyolite matrix, in many color 
combinations: browns, tans, yellows, reds and mauves. Many unusual shades 
and patterns are formed in each thunderegg. The size may be only one inch 
in diameter up to several feet, depending upon the depths at which eggs are 
found.
Agency: Ochoco National Forest 
Directions: Follow US 26 east to milepost 41. Turn left on Road 3350 for 5 1/2 

miles, then right on Road 3350-010. 

Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
Note: Jasper filled thundereggs found in a wide area on the mountainside. 


White Rock Springs 

What: Jasper Thundereggs 

The eggs are of agatized jasper composition with rhyolite matrix, in many color 
combinations: browns, tans, yellows, reds and mauves. Many unusual shades 
and patterns are formed in each thunderegg. The size may be only one inch in 
diameter up to several feet, depending upon the depths at which eggs are found.
 Agency: Ochoco National Forest 
Directions: Follow US 26 to milepost 41. Turn left on Road 3350, then right on 

Road 3350-300, about 7 miles total. 

Tools: Rock hammers, picks and shovels only. 
Note: Materials is hard to find, but very beautiful. Carnelian cores have been 

found in the area. 

CAUTION: Watch for the Mill Creek Wilderness boundary signs.