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FIELD TRIPS
GREENLEE COUNTY, ARIZONA
CLIFTON, MORENCI,
EAGLE CREEK & DUNCAN
DAY 1:
SAN FRANCISCO RIVER
(Purple Agate, Calcite, Geodes,
Quartz & Chalcedony)
EAGLE CREEK
(Agate)
DAY 2:
SHELDON
(Common Opalite)
POLLY ANN MINE
(Fluorite)
LUCKY BLUE CLAIM
(Fluorite)
QUARTZ Var. AGATE
Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
Steve Baker Photo.
CALCITE
Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
Steven Baker Photo.
* MSA MEMBER TRIP EXCLUSIVE
* IF POSSIBLE, WEAR YOUR CLUB T-SHIRT OR NAME BADGE
TRIP LEADER: Rick Olson
LEADER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: White Chevrolet Suburban
CARPOOLS BEING ORGANIZED: NO
MEET-UP DATE:
Saturday, November 1, 2025, and/or
Sunday, November 2, 2025
MEET-UP LOCATION ADDRESS: CLIFTON, AZ Area for planning purposes. MSA Members must register to receive Location Address & Details.
MEET-UP TIME: 9:00AM (Each Day)
DEPARTURE TIME: 9:30 AM or once all members have shown up if before departure time.
SPECIAL DEPARTURE NOTES: As a courtesy for group who arrive on time, Trip Leader not waiting for stragglers past Departure Time.
HOW LONG WILL TRIP LAST (END TIME): Approximately 4:00 PM each day.
LIMITED NUMBER TRIP: Limited to (20) Vehicles
FEE’S (IF ANY, HOW & WHEN TO BE COLLECTED):
The only fee will be Lucky Blue Claim on Sunday. Lucky Blue Dig Fee is $75 per 5-gallon bucket payable in cash at Claim.
TRIP DETAILS: This is the rescheduled trip from October due to heavy rains. There is lodging in Clifton, Morenci, Duncan, Safford and Thatcher. There is a RV Campground in Clifton and numerous campgrounds along Hwy 75 towards Duncan.
The first day will be in Clifton and Morenci. In Clifton we will stop at sites along the San Francisco River to collect Purple Agate, Calcite, Geodes, Chalcedony and Quartz. From there we will take the Eagle Creek Road down to the creek to collect Agate.
The second day we will travel south to the community of Sheldon to collect Common Opalite. Afterwards we will take the Goat Camp Loop into the mountains and stop at the Polly Ann Mine for Fluorite. For those interested we could proceed to the fee collection at the Lucky Blue Claim for Fluorite crystals. Though not required, high clearance and 4-wheel drive will make travel much quicker for Lucky Blue Claim area.
No strenuous hiking is required, but good hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, safety glasses, gloves and a whistle are strongly recommended.
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:
1. FIRST DAY: Regular to high clearance.
2. SECOND DAY: Optional if going to Lucky Blue Claim, though not required, high clearance and 4-wheel drive will make travel much quicker.
RATE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP: Easy-Moderate
MATERIAL TO BE COLLECTED: (Purple Agate, Calcite, Geodes, Quartz, Chalcedony, Common Opalite, Fluorite)
SAFETY (PPE) NEEDED: Safety Glasses, Gloves, Hat, Hiking Shoes, First-Aid Kit, Whistle.
TOOLS NEEDED: Rock Hammer, small Sledgehammer, Chisels, Pry Bar, Garden Rake and Bucket or Backpack.
ANCILLARY ITEMS NEEDED: For viewing fluorescent minerals, a field lamp or flashlights that have Long and/or Short Wave will heighten the experience. Sunscreen, Hat, Water, Lunch Optional, Bug Spray.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
TRIP CANCELLATION CLAUSE: Trip Leader can cancel the field trip due to low participation (under 5 members RSVP) or weather or road conditions.
IF (RSVP) YOU WILL GO, YOU MUST SHOW UP: If unable to go, must contact Trip Leader as soon as possible 1-2 DAYS before, so Group not held up waiting for a no show.
TRIP PREPAREDNESS: Arrive with full tank of gas, good tires and vehicle in good working order.
OPTIONAL OVERIGHT OR DAY TRIP: YES. This trip can be for Saturday or Sunday only or overnight for the weekend.
RSVP BY DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 29th or until trip full.
LIABILTY WAIVER: Sign Liability Waiver at Meet-Up site each day.
MAPS TO MEET-UP LOCATION: Members must register to receive Location Address.
Rick Olson
MSA Field Trip Leader
(928) 892-3481
walkaround@earthlink.net
QUARTZ
Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
Steven Baker Photo.
COMMON OPALITE
Sheldon Area, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
Rick Olson Photo.
FLUORITE
Polly Ann Mine, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
Rick Olson Photo.
FLUORITE
Lucky Blue Claim, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
Rick Olson Photo.
Painting of the Morenci Mine by Merrill Mahaffey.
