See the Searchers Bulletin Archive for detailed information on club trips. The Searchers have field trips every single month of the year except December. Steve Duncan and Robert Burson have been leading field trips all over California the past few years but the club has also gone to California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon on long trips. Dont fret because we also have day and weekend trips as well. Longer trips are usually limited to the summer months starting late May. The longest trip the club has taken together was about 2 weeks where we covered Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and South Dakota. Of course with high gas prices now these long trips would be less likely.

For field trip information contact: Steve Duncan, V.P Field Trips, Searchers Gem and Mineral Society, 714 724 7102 (cell) or wsd@iteris.com

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Upcoming 2009 Field Trips

December no trip, holiday party instead.
Jan 18,2009 planned 1 day trip to Nuevo Mine dump led by Norbert details TBD. 
Also Quartzsite in Jan 2009. 
Feb trip planned to dig crystals in Kingman, Arizona led by Jimmy Peterson details TBD. 
March trip destination TBD led by Beth Pelfrey details TBD. 
Working with Indian Wells club to get a trip to Rainbow Ridge if possible details TBD.
Sometime in 2009 a trip to the Ship Mountains led by Steve Duncan details TBD.

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Lavic Field Trip Notes - The Searchers held a Field Trip to the Lavic Siding area Nov 8&9. On Saturday we had hoped to prospect in the Hector Hills. We knew that many roads across the train tracks in that area were blocked off, but that there was one good one. Key word there is was. When Jimmy and Esther tried to do some preliminary work on Friday they found the last road closed also. So we will need to explore to find our way into that area. Instead on Saturday we started in Sandy Wash in the South Cadys. Jimmy and Esther, Marcia and I and a friend of ours Mark, Karen, Cary, and new Members Uriel (sp?) and Jay headed up first, and by the time we arrive at the parking spot Robert, Sharon, and Gordon had pulled onto the back of the convoy. We spent half a day here, and everyone found some interesting material. Personally the best material ³I² found was actually found by my wife Marcia, who went further and higher than anyone else. She found some interesting agate, in quite large pieces. And she indicated that there was more and bigger there. So next time I have a plan. Following this Robert took us to an unnamed site off of the power line road in the South Cadys, here there was a hill covered with Lavic Siding type material (red and yellow jaspers), some very nice. The trick was to find a bigger piece. There was also some agate mixed in. We collected hard all day, so by 2:30 everyone was relaxing at the vehicles, and we decided to call it a day. Sunday we went to the furthest Lavic Siding site, the wind was blowing hard, so we only collected for a couple of hours, but again everyone found some nice material. The good pieces of Lavic Siding jasper are really very nice. After a couple of hours in the wind we called it a day, and everyone headed home. ON Sunday we were joined by new member Phil. Some moments to remember:
o Uriel with a mass of bees on his back pack and his back, his daughter had apparently spilled juice on the pack some time previously, and the bees liked it a lot.
o Karen's beautiful micro pieces
o Marcia's big agate
o The stars Friday night
o The tents blown flat on Saturday night
o The freeway closure on the way home due to a horrible wreck in a low visibility sand storm situation
o And as usual the pleasure of some Searcher camaraderie, y'all should really join us some time.

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November 2008 Field Trip  

The November Field Trip on Nov 8&9 will be to the Hector Hills/Lavic Siding areas. Saturday we will explore the Hector Hills area, looking for agates and jaspers.  It is expected that we will have a guest "guide" for Sat who will try to show us some new locations.  Sunday morning we will collect at the Lavic Siding Jasper site.  The field trips will leave at 0830 each day.  Sat we will be away from camp all day, so you will want to pack a lunch.  It is expected that a high clearance vehicle will be sufficient for Sat, if we find out otherwise we can carpool in with  4x4s.  Sunday's site can be accessed in the family sedan if you take is easy.   

We will be camping at our old standby Lavic Rd campsite.  This is between Hector Rd and Ludlow off of old route 66.  A map is attached.  The campsite is easy to access, RVs no problem.  It is a dry campsite, so bring whatever you will need.   Don't forget water and sunscreen.  A hat is a good idea.  Weather could vary from hot to cold, so come prepared for both, layers are always a good idea.   

On Sat evening we will have our traditional potluck (hopefully while it is still light), and then probably sit around the campfire telling lies.   

The closest motel is in Ludlow, it is an interesting place, the last time I was there you checked in at the gas station across the street.  There is also a cafe and a Dairy Queen in Ludlow.   

Any questions email me at wsd@iteris.com, or call me on my cell 714 724 7102. Click here to downlaod the map.

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There is a joint field trip to the Oceanview Mine on Sunday, October 26th with the Route 66 Gold Miners. If you are interested contact one of these two individuals - Virgil Talbott or cheverier@sbcglobal.net

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CFMS ICE BREAKER FIELD TRIP  (First of the Season)
WHERE: AFTON CANYON - NORTH CADY MTNS
WHEN: Saturday October 18
MEET: 8am at Basin Road and I-15 offramp (south side) east of Barstow.
We leave at 8:30am after waiver forms are signed.
NOTE: Adam Dean and Teresa will be at Peffy Sue's Restaurant off I-15 near Yermo around 6am for breakfast for those wishing to meet earlier. Open to all CFMS affiliated clubs and members. 4WD required OR 2WD to the railyard. NO LOW CLEARANCE VEHICLES! Roads are sandy and rough.Rides can be arranged at the railyard in to 4wd. Food, water and gas can be had in Barstow. These are remote sites with no facilities. No alcohol during the group event. Camping sites are nearby for stayovers. This is a day trip. Temperatures should be comfortable with cold nights. Be prepared. The material sought will include fluorite, agates, jaspers, onyx, and sagenite nodules. Other finds are possible. Be prepared for hard rock mining for beter material although much float is present. Be reminded that theseareas are not theme parks and that wildlife and rough terrain is comon. Play nice and be safe. Release of Liability Waivers must be signed. For further info please contact Adam Dean @ (909) 489-4899 or theagatehunter@verizon.net or Shep Koss @ (661) 248-0411 freudonetoo@yahoo.com

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The July 19 Field Trip will be gold panning on the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Bring with your gold pans, sieves, sluices, digging tools, buckets etc. Also sunscreen, lunch, water, clothing to protect you from sun or bugs. Be prepared for poor trails, and of course snakes, and moving water - if you donıt swim I suggest wearing a life preserver and be aware of all outdoor hazards. The Route 66 Gold Miners will be there also to help liven things up and help you learn to gold pan. They are camping overnite and have invited use to join them for dinner - they wil provide the hamburgers and we need to bring a side dish or dessert. If you plan on staying for dinner with the Route 66 Gold Miners you must RSVP. Note - you will need to go with someone that already has a Forest Service Adventure Pass or buy one at a Big Five Sporting Goods or similar outdoor sports store. You can also click here to buy one online and have it mailed to you. There are day passes as well as annual passes.

Directions: If you are coming from OC take the 55 Fwy North to the 210 Fwy and go West and exit at Azusa Ave and go North. Azusa Avenue turns into San Gabriel Canyon - follow until you come to East Fork Rd. Turn onto E. Fork Rd. and follow it until you come to a picnic area on the right side of the road. Just beyond is a cement restroom, we will meet just east of there. I plan on being there about 8:00 am. You can come any time - but please sign in with me. Also would please let know if you plan to attend beforehand so we know to look for you. Thanks, Virgil Talbott 714-871-7900 or fieldtrips@searchersrocks.org

Here is one to download and print out. Click here to get the map.

It should be a great deal of fun since you will get to see how to snipe for gold in the river and then pan the concentrates. In the past these events have been a great learning experience for all that attended. You will get to learn how to find gold as well as pan some plus have a good time with like minded souls. Here is a map of the general area:

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Please contact Steve Duncan or Virgil Talbot if you are interested in going to the Oceanview Mine in Pala, CA in the near future. The Route 66ers and the Searchers are trying to get a group to go soon. Space is limited to 60 people for a date sellout. Usually the digs are on Sundays but if there are enough people attending we can get a Saturday as a group reservation. You can find quartz, beryl, morganite, tourmaline, feldspar, kunzite, and combinations of them as well. They also have a small store on site where you can buy facet rough, specimens, t-shirts, books, finished jewelry, etc... This is a very popular field trip for local collectors since it is only about 90 minutes away from Orange County. If there is a smaller group they also have Thursdays available thru the digforgems.com website.