Iconic. Cinematography, geologic breakdown, interplay of mineralogy, and practical advice for how to infer productive zones (e.g. via colour of the rhyolite), scenery, steady shots, and excellent finds. Keep making videos bro, your content is unparalleled.
Very informative, and great production value. A lot of the videos I've seen on Topaz Mountain leave me confused about where they were, but you gave a great overview of the area. Thanks for sharing!
Topaz is so beautiful. We haven't had a chance to rockhound after it yet but thank you so much for sharing your adventure doing it! You found some great specimens!
So cool! I live in Oregon sort of near Portland and am a member of the Mt Hood rock and mineral club. We are going to Salt Lake City area in a couple weeks to visit family. I’ve been watching your videos to get some ideas of what kind of rocks Utah has to offer. You have a lot of great content worth subscribing to. So much cool geology in Utah. I think we are going to have to plan on a lot more trips.
Thanks! My info was little off though, since I didn't research beforehand and Utah Rockz wanted me to do a history of it, so I just winged it from what I remembered. I will make sure to have more up-to-date information in my future videos.
Great finds, and thank you for the information. I love the video! I typed the GPS given into GaiaGPS, and the road it puts me on has a bunch of signs saying entering state trust land, and to report trespassing. Is this site legal to travel and collect? It seems to be the same road leading to TPA, but I've also read the area surrounding the claim is legal to pick.
Ah, yes. To collect on State Trust Lands, you have to get a permit from the state. They are quite affordable, if I remember correctly it was about $30 for one year. Here is a link to the website: trustlands.utah.gov/work-with-us/mining/rockhounding-information/ You can collect anywhere public there is not a claim. Most claims will be roughly 1500 feet by 600 feet, and they are required to mark the corners. So, if you do get close to a claim, find the corners and then make sure you are outside of it.
If you decide to do the east side saddle at some point, I just lost a stuffer bottle full of topaz up there (not 30 minutes ago - backtracked and couldn't find)
Thanks for the video, finally had a chance to watch it. I kind of swore off Topaz mountain last time I was there because of how unsuccessful I have been there (I just broke down and bought one), after seeing this though, I might give it another try in the spring.
Glad to hear I gave you some hope! Mostly, just be willing to hike a bit from where most people go and stay in the zones where there are topaz crystals. Eventually you will find a decent spot!
Brian, I went for the 1st time a couple weeks ago.. Had to climb a little bit but I ended up getting into the topaz. It was so cool, Knowing that I found these little crystals that have never seen the light of day and touched it with my fingers for the 1st time in millions of years in the making is a cool feeling! Go out & try again, very worth it.
Dude, we want to head there this weekend, I live 2 hours away. QUESTION: what is a good and affordable handheld gps you would recommend? I need one for rock hounding lol
Thank you we don't up and went the wrong way! Google took us onto Dead horse road.. with a Acura... Had to turn around. Didn't do enough research on where to go.. Thanks for the info.
I hiked up to that saddle once, it was a tough hike in 95f weather, and the back slope was scary. I didn't really find anything, but I didn't try very hard either.
@@theruggedrockhound I like the dry heat! I also like the solitude. Have you been to the Garnet Basin location? There's a bunch of small garnets you can pick up, they get bigger closer to the source, but I've only found up to about .25 inch. They have very nice facets, but a dark color and a metallic coating. There's supposed to be 1 inches, but I haven't found them. Also, supposed to be some nice combos of garnet and topaz, but I haven't looked in that spot.
@@teecee4459 I have been to the garnet basin area, but it has been about 12 years since i last visited the area. I have thought about re-visiting it, so I will have to do a video on it in the future!
I was at topaz mountain a couple weeks ago, 1st time going. Went to an area where there was nobody else at. I didn't know what I was doing, but once I got the hang of it it was A-blast! Do you have a video on where to where to find the Red barrel? I also heard there is Opal somewhere around there, is this true?
I plan on making a video this year that shows where to get the red beryl crystals, just not sure when yet. I have heard about the opal but it is probably just common white opal.
We were just there yesterday (June). We didn't find anything! I found rocks with pockets but they were empty. I'm not able to hike very far and my husband wrenched his knee so he couldn't get far either. Do any of the driving trails lead to good areas where we might be able to find something next time?
Sorry to hear that! There are better places to park that get you closer to potential pockets. Check out this location: 39.698547, -113.102488 put these GPS coordinates into google maps. The last stretch of the road to this spot is pretty rough (you will need high clearance and 4WD) but it gets you pretty darn close. Immediately to the west of this parking spot is the lower edge of the West Wall of the main bowl area. You can get some pretty decent crystals even near the bottom, but you may have to break some hard rock or do a little searching in and around bushes/trees. Hopefully this helps!
This main bowl area is free, it is a designated recreation site for rockhounds. However, right in the middle is a private claim that you have to pay if you want to collect there
Nice video, but you have a fair bit incorrect about the timing and paleotopography of the volcanics that formed Topaz Mountain. The silicic lava that formed Topaz Mountain (Thomas Range) erupted between 6 and 7 million years ago. Also the topography of the area around the Thomas Range didn't look anything like the Cascade Range found in Oregon and Washington. It looked very much like it does today with the exception of the eruptions that formed the Thomas Range and several smaller mountains to the east. This is due to east-west extension of the Basin and Range. In addition, and this is something for your gee-whiz file, the topaz bearing rhyolite of Spor Mountain to the west is much older at around 21 million years old (see Christansen et al., 1984; 1986). Also, the cavities and vent structures (as you called them) are known as lithophysae. BTW, I have enjoyed watching many of your videos. I'm a 20+ year rockhound...
Thanks for the info! I was going off what I could remember from years ago when I was out there and It looks like I didn't have it remembered quite right
Those pockets at the end are amazing!! We definitely need to go back and explorer that area more!
Agreed!
Iconic. Cinematography, geologic breakdown, interplay of mineralogy, and practical advice for how to infer productive zones (e.g. via colour of the rhyolite), scenery, steady shots, and excellent finds. Keep making videos bro, your content is unparalleled.
Very informative, and great production value. A lot of the videos I've seen on Topaz Mountain leave me confused about where they were, but you gave a great overview of the area. Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome! I do hope to get out there again and make another video that can help find some of the other cool things that are out there.
nice trip , beautiful out there , i think thats pretty good finds , those lil crystals are cool
They are cool, just wish I could find some of those big clusters!
So wish I had seen your excellent video BEFORE I wasted a whole morning chipping away at the solid wall to the west of you. Great information.
You're welcome! Good luck on your next trip!
I’m in Utah and just started rockhounding- this video was so helpful! Thanks!!! Planning on going out to Topaz sometime before there’s too much snow!
This is the best time of year to visit topaz! Good luck!
Outstanding video. Very well presented and vital information on finding topaz! Thank you for this!
You are welcome!
Topaz is so beautiful. We haven't had a chance to rockhound after it yet but thank you so much for sharing your adventure doing it! You found some great specimens!
You are welcome! I have found much better specimens in the past, so maybe next time I head out I can find better!
So cool! I live in Oregon sort of near Portland and am a member of the Mt Hood rock and mineral club. We are going to Salt Lake City area in a couple weeks to visit family. I’ve been watching your videos to get some ideas of what kind of rocks Utah has to offer. You have a lot of great content worth subscribing to. So much cool geology in Utah. I think we are going to have to plan on a lot more trips.
Thank you so much! Hopefully the videos will help you find some good places to visit. I may not be around when you come, so I wish you the best!
Wow just a awesome informational video great job❤
Nice production
Thanks, I am no professional but I do want to make it enjoyable.
Very good video, wonderful specimens! Excellent information at the beginning.
Thanks! My info was little off though, since I didn't research beforehand and Utah Rockz wanted me to do a history of it, so I just winged it from what I remembered. I will make sure to have more up-to-date information in my future videos.
Great finds, and thank you for the information. I love the video! I typed the GPS given into GaiaGPS, and the road it puts me on has a bunch of signs saying entering state trust land, and to report trespassing. Is this site legal to travel and collect? It seems to be the same road leading to TPA, but I've also read the area surrounding the claim is legal to pick.
Ah, yes. To collect on State Trust Lands, you have to get a permit from the state. They are quite affordable, if I remember correctly it was about $30 for one year. Here is a link to the website: trustlands.utah.gov/work-with-us/mining/rockhounding-information/
You can collect anywhere public there is not a claim. Most claims will be roughly 1500 feet by 600 feet, and they are required to mark the corners. So, if you do get close to a claim, find the corners and then make sure you are outside of it.
If you decide to do the east side saddle at some point, I just lost a stuffer bottle full of topaz up there (not 30 minutes ago - backtracked and couldn't find)
Dang, sorry to hear that. Not sure when I will get out there next, so likely someone else will find it long before I do.
Thanks for the video, finally had a chance to watch it. I kind of swore off Topaz mountain last time I was there because of how unsuccessful I have been there (I just broke down and bought one), after seeing this though, I might give it another try in the spring.
Glad to hear I gave you some hope! Mostly, just be willing to hike a bit from where most people go and stay in the zones where there are topaz crystals. Eventually you will find a decent spot!
Brian, I went for the 1st time a couple weeks ago.. Had to climb a little bit but I ended up getting into the topaz. It was so cool, Knowing that I found these little crystals that have never seen the light of day and touched it with my fingers for the 1st time in millions of years in the making is a cool feeling! Go out & try again, very worth it.
Dude, we want to head there this weekend, I live 2 hours away. QUESTION: what is a good and affordable handheld gps you would recommend? I need one for rock hounding lol
That looks like so much fun! Do you take people out on trips? You should have a business where you do that, and they pay you for it!
I do not! Maybe I will think about that in the future...
Thank you we don't up and went the wrong way! Google took us onto Dead horse road.. with a Acura... Had to turn around. Didn't do enough research on where to go.. Thanks for the info.
Rock solid
Thanks!
Nice
Thanks!
thank you
You're welcome!
Great vid, nice finds, but these fade outs every 10seconds are a really disturbing.
PS: Forgot your crowbar? ;)
I hiked up to that saddle once, it was a tough hike in 95f weather, and the back slope was scary. I didn't really find anything, but I didn't try very hard either.
It is always best in early spring or late fall
@@theruggedrockhound I like the dry heat! I also like the solitude. Have you been to the Garnet Basin location? There's a bunch of small garnets you can pick up, they get bigger closer to the source, but I've only found up to about .25 inch. They have very nice facets, but a dark color and a metallic coating. There's supposed to be 1 inches, but I haven't found them. Also, supposed to be some nice combos of garnet and topaz, but I haven't looked in that spot.
@@teecee4459 I have been to the garnet basin area, but it has been about 12 years since i last visited the area. I have thought about re-visiting it, so I will have to do a video on it in the future!
I haven't hounded for Topaz yet, they are pretty. Do you get them faceted or anything?
I haven't faceted any crystals, but perhaps one day...
I was at topaz mountain a couple weeks ago, 1st time going. Went to an area where there was nobody else at. I didn't know what I was doing, but once I got the hang of it it was A-blast! Do you have a video on where to where to find the Red barrel? I also heard there is Opal somewhere around there, is this true?
I plan on making a video this year that shows where to get the red beryl crystals, just not sure when yet. I have heard about the opal but it is probably just common white opal.
@@theruggedrockhound thanks! Looking forward to the red Beryl video
We were just there yesterday (June). We didn't find anything! I found rocks with pockets but they were empty. I'm not able to hike very far and my husband wrenched his knee so he couldn't get far either. Do any of the driving trails lead to good areas where we might be able to find something next time?
Sorry to hear that! There are better places to park that get you closer to potential pockets. Check out this location: 39.698547, -113.102488 put these GPS coordinates into google maps. The last stretch of the road to this spot is pretty rough (you will need high clearance and 4WD) but it gets you pretty darn close. Immediately to the west of this parking spot is the lower edge of the West Wall of the main bowl area. You can get some pretty decent crystals even near the bottom, but you may have to break some hard rock or do a little searching in and around bushes/trees. Hopefully this helps!
Do you have to pay anyone to rockhound here? Or just show up?
This main bowl area is free, it is a designated recreation site for rockhounds. However, right in the middle is a private claim that you have to pay if you want to collect there
But yes, the majority of the mountain is free to collect
I'm actually heading out there in April....any tips for April weather or cautions. Meaning are snakes out yet?🤔
Depends on elevation, but snakes are out in the west desert by then usually.
Did you make it out there in April? How was it?
I am a an old rock hound myself retired now.
Welcome! I hope you enjoy the videos
Nice video, but you have a fair bit incorrect about the timing and paleotopography of the volcanics that formed Topaz Mountain. The silicic lava that formed Topaz Mountain (Thomas Range) erupted between 6 and 7 million years ago. Also the topography of the area around the Thomas Range didn't look anything like the Cascade Range found in Oregon and Washington. It looked very much like it does today with the exception of the eruptions that formed the Thomas Range and several smaller mountains to the east. This is due to east-west extension of the Basin and Range. In addition, and this is something for your gee-whiz file, the topaz bearing rhyolite of Spor Mountain to the west is much older at around 21 million years old (see Christansen et al., 1984; 1986). Also, the cavities and vent structures (as you called them) are known as lithophysae.
BTW, I have enjoyed watching many of your videos. I'm a 20+ year rockhound...
Thanks for the info! I was going off what I could remember from years ago when I was out there and It looks like I didn't have it remembered quite right
Not yellow. Sherry
That's true, that is the correct term for the coloration.