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MSA FIELD TRIP

CAMP VERDE SALT MINE

(Glauberite Pseudomorphs:

Calcite, Aragonite & Gypsum)

North America’s Oldest Mine

PLUS PICNIC POTLUCK

MSA MEMBERS

Join us for a return to one of Arizona's classic collecting localities, the Camp Verde Salt Mine and surrounding area, where we'll hunt for glauberite pseudomorphs after calcite, aragonite, and gypsum, along with thenardite and halite.

After the collecting, the fun continues with a picnic/potluck at a nearby ranch hosted by one of our MSA members, a great opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company!

When you register (or later, once you've decided), let the Trip Leader know what dish you'd like to contribute to the potluck.

POTLUCK DETAILS:

• Bring your own servicing utensils if bringing a food dish.
• Bring your own beverages (BYOB).
• Please wear name badges & MSA T-Shirts if have them.
• Bring Camp Chairs.
• MSA hosts providing grilled hot dogs & hamburgers.
• MSA will provide paper plates, paper towels, utensils.

TRIP LEADER: Chris Whitney-Smith

MEET-UP TIME: 8:45 AM in Camp Verde (meeting location will be sent after registration).  

Allow extra 30 minutes to make meet-up location due to traffic.

END TIME: Estimate trip end by 5:00 PM.

LIMITED TRIP: No Limit

TRAVEL NOTE:   Check with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) website to see if there are any delays on you route.   https://az511.gov/

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP: Easy to Moderate

VEHICLE: Mid-Clearance. High clearance vehicles is best.  

SAFETY:   Please bring a whistle in case we need to find you or gather up the participants. Youth Must stay with parents.

TRIP PREPAREDNESS / RECOMMENDATION: Arrive with full tank of gas and good tires. Sturdy shoes or boots, Long sleeve shirt, Safety Glasses, Gloves, Sunscreen, Hat, Water, Lunch, Bug Spray, Bucket, First Aid Kit, and other Normal day hiking items.

TOOLS NEEDED: Garden Fork/Rake, Screwdrivers.  Bring bucket, bags and egg cartons for fragile mostly float material.

MATERIAL: Glauberite Pseudomorphs: Calcite, Aragonite & Gypsum along with Thenardite, Glauberite, and Halite.

RSVP REQUIRED by Friday, November 6, 2026 @ 3:00 PM - MSA Members Only

TRIP CANCELLATION CLAUSE: Trip Leader can cancel the field trip due to low participation (under 5 members RSVP) or weather or road conditions.

GLAUBERITE PSEUDOMORPHS: CALCITE, GYPSUM, ARAGONITE.

Chris Whitney-Smith photos and collection.

EXAMPLES 

Here are a few examples of the pseudomorphs

you can find on the trip:

Calcite Pseudomorph after Glauberite.  Stan Celestian photo.

Aragonite Pseudomorph after Glauberite.  Stan Celestian photo.

Aragonite Close Up View.  Stan Celestian photo.

Gypsum Pseudomorph after Glauberite.  Stan Celestian photo.