Entrance to South Cady's center area - Agate, jasper, ocher, calcite
This track north from Hwy 66 west of Ludlow leads to the extensive collecting areas of the Cady's Mountains. Passing by the power line road, the next road skirts the foot of the hills, through deposits of jasper, agate, onyx, calcite and more. Baryte & pyromorphite have been reported form banks of ocher in this area.
Approaching from Ludlow, the Lavic Road continues south after Hwy 66 crosses I-40.
The lands on either side of the road feature collectible rock, from obsidian to the east to agate, jasper, and collectible minerals.
Most main tracks are 2-wheel drive accessible, 4-wheel drive is recommended on side tracks, due to unpredictable and shifting sands. Wise rockhounds travel in groups with multiple vehicles, out here.
Western entrance to Lavic Siding collecting Area.
Approaching from the Hector exit of I-40, take National Trails Hwy (Hwy 66) east to the train tracks, and turn right. Follow the tracks east to Lavic Siding, collecting along the way.
Collecting is good throughout the area surrounding Lavic Siding, south and east to the warning signs for 29 Palms Marine Base. Please take the signs seriously and stay east of them, since there's live ordnance training in the area.
Rosewood Blvd. east of the Sierra Pelona Claim to Hwy 395, South to Hwy 58 - This area has produced agate, ajpser, jasp-agate and other quartz gems for decades. 4-wheel drive is recommended, but most vehicles with good clearance can negotiate the main roads.
Much of the area is private land, so obey all signage. Especially near the Boron Pit, if asked to leave the area, do so with a smile.
The Old Clay Mine -
Coming north from North Edwards & hwy 58 on Claymine Road, you'll see the Old Clay Mine to the north west. To visit the Clay Mine, turn left as the paved road takes a sharp S-curve eastward, If you go too far, you'll reach Aerial Acres, but the turn is only a few moments drive south from Rosewood/Peerless Blvd.
At the Clay Mine, you'll find borate minerals. I've found colemanite and ulexite out there. The main attraction for me is the easily accessed 360° view. It's a great place for photography.
A great place to pick up buckets of cab size stone. You might find a carnelian chapenite wandering around out here! It's also a great place to camp, flat and wide open.
Castle Butte - East
This is one of my favorite Mojave Desert collecting areas. You can wander around this vast wash for hours picking up agate & jasper in sizes from thumb to boulder. I've found a good bit of chapenite out here, including some true carnelian . Chapenite is an attractive brecciated fortification agate. Much of this area is also excellent for dry camping, Just pull off of Sequoia Blvd onto one of the "residential" streets, then find a convenient flat wash.
The Sierra Pelona Onyx Claim
Owned by the Sierra Pelona Club, this claim has been kept open to rockhounds. Various qualities of travertine onyx can be found here, some almost completely agatized. This deposit began as typical travertine. Subsequent hydrothermal silicification and tectonic brecciation created colorful onyx that ranges from 3.5 to nearly 7 on the Mohs scale.
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