The Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club field trip for November 18 will go to the Rowley Mine near Gila Bend. The Huachuca Club has arranged to get in to the Rowley Mine near Gila Bend on November 18. Bob Fenner talked with one of the owners - Bill Jaeger - and got him to extend the invitation to the Sunsites Club also. So this is a one shot deal. The Rowley Mine (lead) was the cover story of the Sept issue of Rock and Gem.
Bessie Simpson (Gem Trails of Arizona) says "Many valuable specimens have been collected here. You will be looking for wulfenite, mimetite and cerussite - most of the wulfenite from here has been the beautiful thin bladed golden yellow type. " There is also an agate area nearby "you will see pieces of agate and quartz crystals on the ground." "This is considered a very dangerous mine area, so be very cautious and observe all warning signs." Painted Rocks Monument or State Park is nearby. "This is certainly worth your time. This was used by the Butterfield Stage Line in the early days as a rest stop, so the passengers could view the petroglyphs."
James Mitchell (Gem Trails of Arizona - 2001) says "The agate is not extremely plentiful, but colors and internal inclusions make the search worthwhile. ... The Rowley is known throughout the world as a classic locality for beautiful wulfenite specimens. Not only is this a good place to find wulfenite, but you can also collect mimetite, cerussite and chrysocolla." He also cautions this is a dangerous mine. "Digging through the dumps and carefully breaking up suspect stones and boulders is probably the most efficient way to collect here.....If you have time be sure to visit Painted Rocks State Park...... There you can see a small rocky mountain covered with ancient graffiti."
It is 217 miles from Willcox to exit 102 on I-8 and another 11 miles into the mine mostly on a paved road with a short dirt road leading to the agate area and similarly to the Rowley mine. Fenner says the mine has been refurbished and is again an active mine. We will be able to work tailings, spoil piles or dumps and go right into the mine for those willing to do so. According to Rock & Gem there are also barite crystals, bollenite, and calvinite. There is a dig fee of $10 per person.
We will meet the Huachuca Club at 8:15 on Saturday November 18 at Gas City - at the intersection of Highway 90 and I-10 in Benson and caravan from there.
This appears to be an opportunity to get into a valuable collecting area that is normally not open and gas prices have dropped quite a bit. Several members are planning to go over on Friday afternoon.
If you did not attend the meeting on Monday night but would like to go on the field trip call Jack Light ASAP.
Briefing after arrival at Rowley mine
Collecting rocks from dump material spread out near the Mine
Jack Light identifies rock found by member on the October trip to Middlemarch Pass
Members Joan Hammer and Larry Strout at the Sunsites "Meet the Clubs" day
Marked rocks near the Rowley Mine
More picture rocks
Wulfenite crystals mined by Jack Weller
Another Jack Weller photo