Idaho Falls area...

[S/T]

This last month or so Sondra and I have been busy with a lot of different things, so we haven't had much time for any day or weekend trips.

In about two weeks though, we are committed to go to a family reunion to Firth Idaho.  It is a very small town about 13 miles south west of Idaho Falls.  

I know it can be a dangerous thing but I have been doing a little thinking....

I know that there are a few of you that reside up in that area and perhaps you may direct us to a good area to do a little rock hounding while we are there.  

Any suggestions?  

Thanks in advance

Nick and Sondra

[bobby1]

I lived in Idaho Falls for almost a year in the early 60's when I was in the Navy training at the reactor site near Arco. Unfortunately, I didn't have any time to go rockhounding. Beautiful area except in the middle of winter and it is a gazillion degrees below zero, it seemed.
Bob

[ScarlettoSara]

Nick:) Good to hear from you and Sondra:) Work can mess up your leisure time, Ugh. LOLOL But I guess it is a necessary evil.
Hope you get to do some rock hunting and find something really special when you go on your trip:)

[earthartgems]

Hi Nick,

I just checked Google maps and you are only one Hour from Spencer, ID.  This is one of the few places in the US where Precious Opal can be found in significant quantities.  Now I don't know if the mine is open to the public, or even if they are open this time of year, but here is some of their info that I pulled off the web:

11 OPAL AVE
Spencer, ID 83446
(208) 374-5474
idopalmine.com

I've dealt with them before, and got some good cutting rough to fool around with, yielded a few nice stones...

[catmandewe]

I went to the Spencer Opal mines last weekend.
There are 3 miners in town, but only one who will let you dig, and that is only on certain days that they get enough people to open the mine.
They do have what they call the mini-mine behind the restaurant where you can look through a few tons of material that they have hauled in, it is cheaper too.
There are sunstones at Cinder Butte (go on the gravel road past the opal mines until you hit the stop sign, turn right and then watch for the cinder paved red road on the right, search anywhere on the road for miles) and also very colorful opalite by Medicine Lodge and also up West Camas Creek road (the next exit past Spencer)

Or you can go the other way towards Arco and almost anywhere between Arco and Challis you can find agates and jaspers up most of the draws or side roads.

There are areas closer to Idaho Falls, but most of them are hard to find so you need someone local to show you.

Good luck...................Tony

[S/T]

Thanks Tony,

A few years ago I was on a pit crew for a sprint car team, we had a race in Atomic city, on the way up there I noticed a lot of rock formations but didn't have the time to stop and look.  If I remember correctly it looked as if there were a lot of pumice and other volcanic activity in the area.  Maybe that could be a good place to check out? 

  We'll be coming from the south, on I-15 from the Salt Lake city direction.  It doesn't matter if I go a little out of route even west a little ways is OK.  Even if we have to, we can go back home through Jackpot and head south and back east on I-80?  Or go west out of Pocatello to Twin falls and back south that way?

 If you have any more suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

[S/T]

Thanks again for the information everyone

We'll be  going up there in a few minutes,  the family affair will only last a couple of hours but we will probably just make the "loop" back and see if we find anything worthwhile but we will take pictures if we see anything cool!  We are taking 20 lbs of Potato salad and  20 lbs of Texas style BBQ brisket!  So the way I see it, we should have room to bring back at least 40 Lbs of rocks!    

[asianfire]

Teleport any leftover Potato-salad in my direction. 

[S/T]

Will do!

I make a Mediterranean style and there is NEVER left overs!!!

I also make my own BBQ sauce, when I get back I'll send you the recipes!  Well, we are loaded up, I'll talk to you when we get back!  Enjoy your weekend.

Nick

[asianfire]

You too. Enjoy! 

[legendarygranite]

Good luck and happy hunting