A “CO-OP MEMBER”/ALL CFMS SOCIETES FIELD TRIP TO HAUSER GEODE BEDS
(date of publication 2/3/2024)
• This trip is open to all rockhounds who agree to abide by the AFMS Code of Ethics, the directions of the field trip leader and practice safe rockhounding.
• Call the field trip leader (see Contact) beforehand to sign up and for further information.
• Remember to wear your name badge and sign in and sign out with the field trip leader.
• CO-OP website has information: https://www.co-opfieldtrips.com
• Also see CFMS Website: https://www.cfmsinc.org (no password needed)
• A Consent and Assumption of Risk Waiver of Liability form must be signed upon arrival at meeting site.
• All non-CFMS members are required to contact the Field Trip Leader before a field trip for any insurance requirements.
TRIP LOCATION – Hauser Geode Beds, Palo Verde, CA
TRIP DIFFICULTY RATING SCALE
Vehicle Access & Parking – 5-7 dirt roads, hills, some steep sections and ravines
Collection Site – 5-7 dirt parking at lower collecting area, can hike up hills
WHEN – APRIL 19-20-21 2024
SPONSOR CLUB – COOP (Field Trip Leaders Association, a CFMS Society)
LEADERS– GINA MALCOLM COOP President and JIM BARTON COOP Permanent Director
CONTACT JIM BARTON IF ATTENDING (916) 847-7321 geologist1@surewest.net
MEMBER’S GUESTS – _X_Allowed __ Not Allowed
COLLECTION MATERIAL – Geodes, Porcelain Jasper
PROPOSED SCHEDULE – Meet up and conduct safety meeting each day before convoying to collection sites.
MEET (where/when) – Near intersection of Wiley’s Well Rd and Hauser Geode Beds Road 0900 hours daily
DIRECTIONS TO SITE/CAMP – Take I-10 Wiley Well exit before Blythe, travel south on blacktop to CA State Prison then south on rough gravel road past Wiley Well and Coon Hollow BLM campgrounds to Hauser Geode Bed Road, where vehicles will congregate at 9 am each morning. Camping at BLM Coon Hollow Campground
VEHICLE REQ’S – recommend 4×4 or carpooling with a 4×4
CAMP/FACILITIES – Coon Hollow is a BLM fee required, gravel pads dry camp with pit toilets, shaded picnic tables and no hookups. There are several motels in Blythe (consult Google or Apple Maps for names)
TOOLS – Shovel, bucket, hoe or cultivator rake, rock hammer, safety glasses, work gloves
SAFETY CONCERNS – potential for heat or cold (layers), dehydration, sunscreen and full coverage hats, rattlesnakes and scorpions, slips-trips-falls (bring first aid kit), rough roads
CLIMATE/WEATHER – variable this time of year in the Mojave Desert, bring lots of water and sunscreen
CLOTHING – long pants and shirts – dress in layers, hiking boots recommended, sun protection (full cover) hats
OTHER REMARKS – The BLM and CFMS have a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) to allow recreational (not commercial) collection of geodes at the Hauser Geode Beds.
The Bureau of Land Management Geologist and Scientist staff will give a presentation at the dig site on the geology, wildlife and historical significance of the region on April 19th.
CFMS requests that you, if able, clean up after yourself (fill holes, etc.) and help pick up any loose trash left by others at the sites. Recommend using BLM trash bags to clean up areas as needed. After their talk. BLM staff will haul collected trash out.
Field trips will end daily at 4 pm.
Bring your own water and lunches.
Remember to donate some of your finds to your society when you return.
FEES – Nominal camping fees at Coon Hollow Campground, none currently at dig sites.