Rock/Crystal Hunting in Colorado? (Denver, Colorado Springs: cabinet, cabin, garden)

[Hippydippy]

I am in town from ga and would love to find some rocks while I am here. Can someone point me in the right direction?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You are in which "town"?

Did you not find any information in the last six pages of this thread?

[boodems]

Originally Posted by Littlekw

Just thinking about it got me excited
For my next free day. A few great crystal locations that are open to the public are Pike National Forest near Florissant and Lake George, up the mountain from Colorado Springs. Amazing smoky quartz, topaz and Amazonite have come from there. Crystal Peak is the best area but most of it is under claim. The pegmatites in that area produce a lot of beautiful crystals from quartz varieties to incredible mica books. A fair number of rare earth materials as well.

On Gold Camp Rd (which is closed right now) outside of the Springs near St. Peter's Dome has some nice zircon and fluorite crystals, including some gorgeous purple and green fluorite. Again, a lot of pegmatites and the minerals you find in them.

For fossils, Florissant is a great area. There is a pay to dig site in town that charges $10 and hour to pull all you want out. It's fun and I've gotten some great leaf and insect fossils there. Pueblo area has a lot of fossils all around, as well.

Some of the most beautiful calcite crystals I've found are in Fremont County, near Penrose.

That's just a sampling of what you'll find around here. So much more I haven't gotten to, yet.

Heyyyy I woul love some info about locations in colorado for when I visit the states next (actually in far north queensland, australia) I would love some adventure buddies to be able to show me the ropes!!! Would you be interested in showing off your skills and taking someone out!?!?

[Kristieconaughty]

Originally Posted by Littlekw

Oh boy, you have a LOT of options for this all over the Pikes Peak Region and Southern Colorado. I'm an amateur geologist and a huge rockhound, heading out every time I get a free day and the weather cooperates. It's a fantastic hobby!

Is there anything in particular you like to search for? This is such a heavily mineralized area, the options seem almost limitless, even to me after years of exploring. Crystals, fossils, just pretty rocks, you name it. Check out [url=http://www.peaktopeak.com]Peak To Peak[/url]. You can search by county, but directions are vague. I have a few secret spots I like to hunt on public property (BLM and USFS) but would prefer not to post them publicly. DM me for more info, I'll share if you promise not to tell everyone. :-)

So much to find around here, I don't even know where to start. Do tell what you're into primarily and I can guide you toward some great rockhounding/fossil locations.

I am trying to find a place for me, my husband and our dogs to go camping this weekend for my birthday. I am looking for somewhere that I can find crystals. Preferably a camp sight near water. Any way you would be willing to share some places? Thank you in advanced. I can’t figure out how to email you directly.

[AlexTheCat]

Try the area near St. Elmo's west of Nathrop. The forest service campgrounds are open. Mount Princeton is known for gemstones. You might be able to find some interesting rocks on the road up to Tincup Pass, especially the creek right before the final switchbacks up to Tincup Pass.

https://www.google.com/maps/search/c...06.2366048,13z


Something closer? Try Spruce Grove Campground near Tarryall.


https://www.google.com/maps/search/c.../data=!3m1!4b1

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Tincup Pass is basically closed. Too many avalanches along the way have made the road almost non-existent starting from coming out of St. Elmo.

[AlexTheCat]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Tincup Pass is basically closed. Too many avalanches along the way have made the road almost non-existent starting from coming out of St. Elmo.

Good to know. Thanks. Hopefully, the order will be rescinded before 01 SEP 2019.



https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by AlexTheCat

Good to know. Thanks. Hopefully, the order will be rescinded before 01 SEP 2019.



https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices

Agree! With Tin Cup being such a minor road, who knows. I've heard the damage is pretty bad. But would be a shame if we couldn't go up there this summer Nice find on the map, BTW.

[waltcolorado]

Alexthecat, I think anyone would not want to give away secret spots but Im wondering about areas close to Elevenmile state park. About all I know is that there are spots with a lot of Quartz. We walk in that area often.

This picture was taken late this May during the mountain ball cactus flower bloom maybe 1/3 miles from the lake. (yes. this is my picture so no copyright issue)

[AlexTheCat]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Agree! With Tin Cup being such a minor road, who knows. I've heard the damage is pretty bad. But would be a shame if we couldn't go up there this summer Nice find on the map, BTW.

I was going to go up there in mid-July. I might still, but this time explore south from St. Elmo. And there is always Kite Lake too near Alma. You have a great summer.