Hauser Geode Beds in the Wiley’s Well District
One of my first rockhounding field trips was with the Orange Belt
Mineralogist Society (OBMS) This group has one of the longest history’s and
ties to the discovery of the Hauser Beds. Joel F Hauser is credited with
finding the Geode beds that bear his name today about 1934. Joel Hauser was
also a member of the OBMS. (pictured below) This is a main reason that the OBMS was famous for
leading the Wiley’s Well Thanksgiving rockhounding trips for many decades.
Lately other clubs have also leading the yearly events, including the San Diego
Searchers. My Son Zack and I would spend a week to 10 days dry camping, we were
about as crusty as the rocks we were collecting, but it's always worth it. Camping out
under the desert stars so bight you can touch them and truly see the shapes of
the zodiacs. Gathering around the fire at the end of a tiring day of
rockhounding telling and swapping stories of rocks and gems and old timers
above. It’s the stuff life’s made of, at least to me it is. Well let’s get to
talking about the gemstones and geodes already! (Please support Rockhounding
and our links at the bottom of the page. Thank you) (Photo to the right and just below, from FaceBook Member of Radical Rocks Group, "Ricki Nelson" Thank you)
Coming in from Highway 78
If you want to
go in from the 78 highway, you can take the Bradshaw Trail. The Bradshaw Trail
was blazed in 1862 and was the quickest overland route to the gold fields in La
Paz (now Ehrenberg), Ariz., from Los Angeles and San Bernardino. Miners were
looking to strike it rich, as well as merchants and suppliers, and they used this route.
William Bradshaw was the first to exploit this route through uncharted desert
after Chief Cabazon of the Cahuilla Indians befriended and gave him a map of an
ancient Indian trade route, complete with locations for water along the way.
Wyatt Earp had ridden shotgun on stage along this route, as legend goes, it
makes sense as he was in San Diego and Colton California. It is maintained by
BLM with a graded dirt road that you can drive from the eastern side of the
Salton Sea along the Chocolate Mountains and past the Hauser Geode Beds, all
the way to the Colorado River. It is very remote backcountry, but many off
roaders and rockhounds use it. I have drove a two-wheel drive truck through
most areas but be careful, its best to caravan into any remote areas.
How much can I take Home?
The Wiley’s Well district and Hauser Geode beds are world famous, the
pickings are not as plentiful as the old days, however you will be able to get
your daily limit of 25 lb.’s per person per day, up to 250 a year per person if
you’re willing to do some digging and walking.
Location
The Wiley’s Well District is located some 15 miles south of Interstate
10. Take the Wiley’s Well Road exit. Nearest Gas and food is in Blythe (Fill up
there if you plan to visit) 20 miles west of the Wiley’s Well Road off ramp. I
have included a crude map at the very bottom of the page, of the old collecting spots, some areas may be closed
to vehicles or off limits so be sure and check the latest status before going. Also,
guidebooks are very helpful, and are linked below. Some of the sites listed on
our crude map, The Potato Patch, Manganese, Double Buttes, Hauser Beads, and
the camping spots, at Coon Hollow, and Middle Camp. Check all regulations
before camping, or better yet go with a local rock, mineral & lapidary
club, and they will direct you and usually lead several trips to collecting
areas, saving a lot of time.
Rocks and Gemstones
Of course, The geodes! These are varied in shades and combinations that
include pink, orange, white, gray, brown, black. These can be druzy or crystals
or mostly agate, they include standard agate walls, to those with banding or
windows and combinations, some geodes will glow under black light! I have seen
a Geode come out of Willy’s Well area filled with sparkling chocolate crystals!
You never Know what you will get. Nodules are solid and are also called
“Thunder Eggs”. These include the colors of the geodes but also include green,
many patterns and windows give great character to the nodules, I found one cut
it in half and it looked like my friends Husky dogs, I gave it to him and he
was stoked. Another nice rock to collect is the chalcedony, I have seen it
white and light pink also roses are to be found. The black agate was hard to
find but with patients a sample or two should be possible, also it has some
banding. One other big prize to be found it fortified agate, (Pictured below) I was blessed to
find a nice white one and have included a picture of my prize. Also, Opalite is
found in small to large chunks it ranges with to gray to almost pink and light
to dark orange, to shades of red, sometimes it is veined in agate. Small fire
agate is available, a claim may cover some of this area so be respectful of
that. I have also found yellow to light red carnelian in the evening walks
around camp. near the manganese mine botryoidal Psilomelane can be found after
rains. Crude hand drawn map at the very bottom of the page.
Hunting Geodes
Geode sizes typically range from 1 to 18 inches in diameter.
Finding Geodes is hard work. Be safe use Eye protection and gloves at a
minimum. Never dig into side of a hill were an overhead collapse could happen,
a deceivingly small amount of just a couple inches of overhang has broken off
and killed experienced geode hunters many times. Also don’t dig in areas off
limits, check first, a local rock and lapidary club will often know what areas
are open, and often have access to areas that the general public doesn’t,
memberships are usually low and run from 30 to 60 dollars a year for a person
or family. Once you locate the geode bed dig them out of hard rock seams or
sometimes in soft pot ash or gravel depending on the areas. You can cut them with a rock saw or just hand
crack them to show the natural geological beauty inside these mysterious
natural wonders. Hidden inside include fractal Quartz crystals, white
Chalcedony, red chalcedony, blue chalcedony, Baryte minerals, Citrine, and
various other favorite gems. Every cracked Geode is truly unique, collectible, and a wonder.
Be Safe
You can be injured, harmed or even die, by many
things when exploring our deserts, mountains, water ways and beaches. Please be
aware of the following dangers and precautions.
Road Conditions.
You absolutely must know what the roads are like where you are going. Some mountain passes can be treacherous in the best of weather – add a little rain or snow and you could be in real trouble trying to get through. Some mountain area roads will simply be closed during snow. During summer months they can still be dangerous when wet. Desert areas may have roads with “sinks” or soft spots that will trap your car if you drive into them. When planning a trip to an unknown area, it is wise to find out what road conditions in that area are like.
Only start a campfire if permitted and completely bury when done. Natural Weather and Disaster Hazards.
Once you find out what you might experience when in an area, check with the local weather service before heading out into the field.
Know what dangerous animals live in any area you plan to visit and know how to avoid them or act when you run into them. Rattlesnakes are dangerous, be careful lifting rocks, lift them away from you, they may conceal a poisons snake or insect, and putting your hand under a rock will get you bitten.
You absolutely must know what the roads are like where you are going. Some mountain passes can be treacherous in the best of weather – add a little rain or snow and you could be in real trouble trying to get through. Some mountain area roads will simply be closed during snow. During summer months they can still be dangerous when wet. Desert areas may have roads with “sinks” or soft spots that will trap your car if you drive into them. When planning a trip to an unknown area, it is wise to find out what road conditions in that area are like.
Only start a campfire if permitted and completely bury when done. Natural Weather and Disaster Hazards.
Once you find out what you might experience when in an area, check with the local weather service before heading out into the field.
Know what dangerous animals live in any area you plan to visit and know how to avoid them or act when you run into them. Rattlesnakes are dangerous, be careful lifting rocks, lift them away from you, they may conceal a poisons snake or insect, and putting your hand under a rock will get you bitten.
Health and First Aid. If you are going out into the wilds,
it is important you know about first aid. If you are allergic to bee
stings, make sure to carry a sting kit with you. Snake bit kits may be
available too. travel with another person when it is possible and always
tell someone where about you will be and when is the latest you will be home or
in contact with them so they will know when it’s time to alert authorities if they
don’t hear from you. Make sure you have plenty of drinkable water, food,
blankets, and fire starters with you when you travel. Be as prepared as
possible. Checking local forest or BLM sites for safety recommendation is a
must. This is not an exhaustive list so do your own research as to how to be
safe, this guide is a good start but in no way will cover every situation you
may encounter.
Guides &
Books
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