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Horse Canyon, Tehachapi CACLOSED AS OF JUNE 2000May 1999, WOW! If you missed this trip, you missed one of the best all around camping and collecting field trips. This trip was attended by 39 members and guests. Saturday began with a clear sky, mild temperature and the smell of coffee. The caravan to the collecting site began at 9 AM sharp. Since we spent the entire day in the field, the famous green tent was set up and two blue tarps were suspended between two juniper trees to provide shade relief to anyone needing to rest and cool off. The quantity is limited, quality and variation in color and pattern is amazing. To obtain quantity, one has to work (dig) or hike to the far reaches of the collecting area. The quality can be excellent when choice specimens are uncovered. Some fine specimens can still be found in float, but a certain amount of luck is required. Generally the float consists of many small pieces of agate (tumbling version) and small discs of clear chalcedony. The colors range from clear, green, yellow, brown, black and red with different swirl patterns, plums and moss inclusions. The digging is difficult because the soil has a high clay content tending to stick and clump together. Saturday’s potluck was delicious and plentiful. Special guests were Mr. and Mrs. Smeed and Mr. and Mrs. Vranay. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday. Monday was a shortened special 3 hour trip to the collecting area for 11 rock hounds who wanted to try their hand at digging. I can personally attest that the pace was fast and furious. By noon, we could hardly strike another pick blow or shovel another load of dirt. We gathered our specimens and headed for home. I want to thank everyone for making this one of my most memorable field trips, the participation and enthusiasm was fantastic! See you next month.
Next five pictures show the sequence of events from finding an agate in the field to making a cabochon.
Other 38x52 cabs made from Horse material
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