Bogley

fourtycal · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 821 Location: Midvale

We have a new camper and needed a weekend trip for it's maiden voyage so we headed to the desert.
We drove to Topaz mountain for some rock hounding.
The mountain is 150 miles from my place, all paved except the last half mile of gravel.
The kids had a blast breaking rocks, climbing rocks, and a little atv riding.
It was the perfect family weekend get together :cool2:
The kids took the pictures so here is what we have.

Summit42 · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1937 Location: 127.0.0.1

Nice camper :2thumbs: Was it pretty warm out there this time of year?

fourtycal · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 821 Location: Midvale

Summit42 wrote: Nice camper :2thumbs: Was it pretty warm out there this time of year?

It was 55 and sunny when we arrived, cold at night but even warmer the next day. I think close to the perfect time of year for the desert.

The camper is light weight and low profile for hauling, then pops up to a roomy and loaded interior. A big expensive tent mostly, but what it takes to get the wife to come along. :mrgreen:

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7035 Location: The Interwebs

Nice rig fourty. :2thumbs:

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2369 Location: SLC, UT

How long is the drive from SLC to it? I am wanting to take my kids down there. Would you say it would be fun for 3-4 year olds?

Is it easy to spot the topaz?

northernoutpost · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 24 Location: West Vancouver, BC

Geez, you did well in the topaz-hunting department. I really like that area-lots of cool areas to explore, and you get the minerals as a bonus :nod: . Kind of a fun warm-up for the canyon country.

Rev. Coyote · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 1549 Location: Location Location

Nice Blue Tick.

Scott P · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1537

Quote: Would you say it would be fun for 3-4 year olds?

I would say yes. Also, there are hot springs, petroglyphs, steam vents, Drum Mountains, and other cool things around that the kids might like.

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2369 Location: SLC, UT

Thanks Scott. I guess I could poke around and find more info on that area, but does anyone have any useful, urls about Topaz mountain, handy to share?

greyhair biker · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 2824 Location: GreenRiver, Wy

Cool! and nice looking dark topaz. Keep it out of the sun :nod:

Scott Card · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1298 Location: Provo, Utah

Ok boys, all this talk of Topaz Mountain and Lehman Caves has prompted me and my family and one other family to make the trek over Spring Break. We will do one day at Topaz Mountain and one day at Lehman Caves. Any suggestions on how to spot the Topaz or where to look? I haven't been there since I was 12 and didn't know what to look for way back then. The pictures above are helpful but any other hints would be appreciated.

DirkHammergate · Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 1129 Location: Salt Lake City

Cool stuff, Topaz Mtn is definately on the list this spring. Hammer and rock sieve.

Nice trip!

fourtycal · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 821 Location: Midvale

Scott Card wrote: Ok boys, all this talk of Topaz Mountain and Lehman Caves has prompted me and my family and one other family to make the trek over Spring Break. We will do one day at Topaz Mountain and one day at Lehman Caves. Any suggestions on how to spot the Topaz or where to look? I haven't been there since I was 12 and didn't know what to look for way back then. The pictures above are helpful but any other hints would be appreciated.

I am definitely not an expert, we just had good luck this trip. I always look for areas that have been recently worked. If you can find a crack and get a wedge hammered into it and break a slab off you will likely spot gemstones. I found that a long skinny regular screwdriver was a lot of help to dig in soft spots and get the gems out. It is terribly addicting, dirty and fun! :2thumbs: