LOCATION
Saddle Mountain is located west of Phoenix near the small community of Tonopah. There are several collection sites around the mountain. So far, the area we plan on going to has been the very best for finding real fire agate (not just chalcedony). We plan on exploring for fire agate closer to the mountain than we have been in the past. In route to the collection area we will pass right next to the Palo Verde Generating Station. We are hoping that recent rains have exposed a new batch of fire agate for us to find.
WHERE and WHEN TO MEET
• We will gather at 9:00 a.m. at the Wintersburg General Store and Shell Gas Station located near the very small community of Wintersburg.
• The street address is 2614 S. Wintersburg Rd., Tonopah, AZ
• Plan on about 2 hours of drive time from Apache Junction to the meeting location.
UNLIMITED PARTICIPATION
• There is no limit to the number of people who can go on this trip.
• Everyone and anyone is welcome.
TRANSPORTATION and ROAD CONDITIONS
• Any vehicle will make it to the meeting location and to the collection site.
• Jeeps, quads, and side-by-sides are not needed, but they will be to your advantage at the collection site.
• If needed, carpooling will be available from the meeting location.
• The distance from Apache Junction to the Saddle Mountain area is about 90 miles. Plan on about 2 hours for travel time.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
• We will be hunting for chalcedony and fire agate (chalcedony with fire).
• Much of the chalcedony in this area is fluorescent.
• Chalcedony is a very hard rock, and it polishes really great.
WHAT TO TAKE
Basic rock collecting tools, buckets, trash grabber, knee pads, gloves, water, lunch. Sunblock and other forms of protection from the sun is always a good idea.
TRIP FEE
$5 for adult club members, $10 for adult guests, and $0 for all youth under 18.
NOTE
To give you an idea what the area is like near Saddle Mountain please look on YouTube for a video titled “The Best Place To Find Fire Agate Near Saddle Mountain – Arizona Rockhounding – by Regan Outdoors Oct 11, 2021”
TRAVEL DIRECTIONS TO THE MEETING LOCATION
• From Apache Junction or Mesa travel west on I-60 (Superstition Freeway) or the 202 Freeway all the way through Mesa and Tempe.
• You might consider traveling on the lower 202 Freeway from Tempe, and go around the south side of South Mountain and Ahwatukee. This usually helps avoid a lot of traffic.
• Get on the I-10 Freeway just west of downtown Phoenix, and travel west all the way through Phoenix as if you were headed to California.
• Exit the I-10 Freeway at Wintersburg Rd. (also known as 379th Avenue). Wintersburg Rd. is about a mile, or so, west of mile marker 100.
• Travel south on Wintersburg Rd. for approximately 4 miles to Salome Rd. This is a point of reference only.
• Continue traveling south on Wintersburg Rd. for about 500 feet.
• The Wintersburg General Store and Shell Gas Station will be on your right. Public restrooms are available in the store.
• The street address of the Wintersburg General Store is 2614 S. Wintersburg Rd., Tonopah, AZ. Put this address in your cell phone, and let your cell phone guide you all the way.
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