Field Trips
Field trips are held monthly, and can be collecting trips, educational trips (both in the field and/or to local museums), or simply to another club's show. Many times, we join with other clubs to share experiences. For many, going on a field trip is the joy of getting out and enjoying nature. Some field trips will include natural wonders and historical sites along with rock hounding.
YVGMS members and non-members are welcome to join us on any field trip, provided that everyone signs a waiver prior to beginning the trip. Anyone under 18 must have a guardian on the trip who signs the waiver. To sign up for a field trip, use the link below. Please make sure to include your name, telephone number, and any message to the trip organizer.
Upcoming field trips will be shown below and on our calendar. An occasional trip may get added at the last minute. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please notify the field trip chairman. Please note: if there are not enough participants or the weather is bad, the trip may be cancelled.
Future Field Trips
Tonopah Field Trip
If you want to fill up a bucket with turquoise, this is the trip for you. October 25, 26, 27.
Our annual 2024 October turquoise field trip to Tonopah Nevada with the Otteson family will be October 25, 26 and 27. Three mines in three days! We are very excited about the places we will visit this year.
Friday October 25th - Pilot Mountain Turquoise Mine.
Friday evening, we have a tentative program at the Stargazing Park in Tonopah. We are hoping to have a special speaker who is a rockhound Lover by day, and an astrophotographer by night. This should be a lot of fun for the whole family and more information will be forthcoming when I have it
Saturday October 26th - Star Fox Variscite Mine
For those that are interested and still have the energy! There will be a bonus trip in the afternoon to Verde Blue Turquoise Mine. The drive there is close by and the scenery is literally out of this world reminds me of Star Trek! After that if we still have the strength and energy, we will be visiting an authentic Ghost Town that is in the vicinity. So, Saturday will definitely be a big day!
Sunday October 27th - Broken Arrow Variscite Mine
Our third day we will be at the Broken Arrow Variscite Mine. This will be our third time going there and has always been a big hit. In addition to the variscite you can find Big Nugget Turquoise. A short walk around the hill you can look for Tree Frog Variscite. Another full and fun day. For those who need to get back home generally by 2:00 or so we are pretty tired out.
This year we are doing three Mines in 3 days! Last year we did five that was quite a marathon. However, I know that there are folks coming from quite a distance for this field trip so if you are interested in setting up a private tour to do other turquoise mines, I have contacted the owners and they are happy to set up tours with you or if you want to put a group of your own together, they do that as well.
This year we decided not to plan dinner meals as a group. However, often what happens is we all end up pretty much in the same places! So probably one evening we'll all do pizza, Mexican or BBQ.
To sign up Contact Liz Smith – lizbrackensmith@gmail.com
with the following information
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Your Name
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Your email
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The names of those in your party, indicate children under age 13
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Cell Phone Numbers
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Indicate which Otteson Mines or ALL
Cost is $125 per person per day. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Love's truck stop at the North End of Tonopah in the front parking lot area this gives folks an opportunity to quickly use the restroom get gas and snacks if needed.
Other things to do on your own
Gemfield - This is one of the BEST Chalcedony claims in the World, according to their website! Our club has collected here twice. You can find blue greens, to purply oranges, deep reds and blacks, along with white opally stones. Lots of patterns including banding, bulls’ eye, and spots. There are 6 plus sites that you can easily drive to along the roads. You pay at the end, by weighting your rocks at $1 per pound at the picnic table.
Goldfield
International Car Forest – Bring your spray paint and make your mark on this eclectic batch of brightly colored vehicles on the outskirts of Goldfield
Several shops to visit featuring antiques, rocks, bottles, jewelry, etc.
The Hidden Treasure Trading Company, 489 Belle Vue is only open on Saturday and Sunday, and features lots of local rocks. They have mining supplies and a saw for slabbing rocks, $1-$2 per slab.
Treasure Trading post
Enigmata Jewelry and crystals
Goldfield Wild Inspirations – Samples of Gemfield rock for sale, mining equipment and lots of interesting things. The owner of this store is also the owner of Gemfield.
Tonopah – The Tonopah Mining Museum and Tour – Book a tour on the Polaris, which seats up to 5, and take an on and off ride and walk tour of the location. The cost is $9 per person and a great tour with lots of information. Site of one of the original silver mines.
Old Tonopah Cemetery – You can pick up a brochure and also read the headstones to learn about past and passed residents
Clown Motel – Creepy, but unique. Check out the lobby.
Many local shops
Food
Tonopah has one really good grocery store, Raleys, and several gas and convenience stores.
If you don’t mind the smoke, there are several restaurants located inside the 3 -4 casinos.
Strawberry Hill Dinner is a great place for breakfast and lunch 7 AM – 4 PM
El Marques Mexican Restaurant
Hometown Pizza
Bamboo Chinese Kitchen (casino)
Stage Stop Café – (casino)
Tonopah Station (casino)
Burger King
Tonopah Brewing Company – House brewed beers and BBQ
A&W (casino)
Subway
Pittman Café inside the Mizpeh Hotel, also a separate restaurant for dinner
Beans & Brews Coffeehouse
Loves Chester Chicken
Where to Stay
Tonopah Station Hotel Casino and RV Park ($?)1137 Erie Street 775-482-9777 from $80?
Travel Inn 720 N Main Street 775-482-8202 From $80
Mizpah Hotel 100 N Main Street 775-482-3030 from $130
Belvada Hotel 101 S Main St 775-277-3950 from $145
Best Western Hi-Desert Inn 320 Main Street 775-482-3511 From $161
Comfort Inn 890 Main Street 775-482-8883 starting at $165
Jim Butler Inn & Suites 100 S Main 800-635-9455 Starting at $110
The World Famous Clown Motel 521 N Main Street 775-624-9098 From $85
Economy Inn 826 S Main Street 775-482-6238
Old Brewery Hostel 102 Mineral Street 775-482-3030 $Unknown
Ramada-Tonopah Sta RV Park ($?) reviews are not good 1137 US-95 775-482-6655
Tonopah Hospitality & RV 775-482-1700 or TonopahRV@gmail.com. These are mobile homes, 2 bedrooms and a living room or 3 bedrooms with a full kitchen, pots, pans, plates, silverware, microwave, stove, refrigerator, coffee maker with pods available, bathroom, central air and heat. They may be booked for October, but there are 2 ea 2-bedroom units available on Airbnb.com for American Quality Suites. NO PETS in the hotel. Pets ok in the RV park. NOTE – This may be booked up by mining companies doing long term bookings
Bring
Hand Trowel, 5 lb bucket per dig minimum, spray bottle with water, rock pick, rock hammer, safety glasses, work gloves, hat, water, snacks, sun block, sun umbrella, extra bags for rocks, and whatever will help you have a comfortable stay.