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• DOBELL RANCH FIELD TRIP (Petrified Wood)

  • When
    02/14/2026
  •  
    9:45 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Must register to receive Location Details

  Register

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  
  

  

  FIELD TRIP

  DoBELL RANCH

  (Petrified Wood)

  
  

  

  ARAUCARIOXYLON ARIZONICUM,

  Chinle Formation, Holbrook, Arizona.

  Mike Fleeman Collection, Chris Whitney-Smith Photo.

  
  

  * MULTIPLE CLUB TRIP.

  * IF POSSIBLE, WEAR YOUR CLUB T-SHIRT OR NAME BADGE.

  
  

  TRIP LEADER:  Bill Freese

  LEADER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:  2019 Gray Toyota Tacoma

  LEADER CONTACT INFO: 602-568-6843 & bfreese77@cox.net

  CARPOOLS BEING ORGANIZED:  No

  DATE:  Saturday, February 14, 2026

  MEET-UP LOCATION ADDRESS:  HOLBROOK, AZ Area.  Members must register to receive Location Address.

  MEET-UP TIME:  9:45 AM

  DEPARTURE TIME: 10:00 AM sharp 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):  2:00 PM

  LIMITED NUMBER TRIP (##):  NO LIMIT

  FEE’S (IF ANY, HOW & WHEN TO BE COLLECTED):  $50 for a 5-gallon bucket, other pieces at great prices!  Cash is best. You will pay the DoBell family.

  TRIP DETAILS:  HOLBROOK, AZ area.  Members must register to receive Location Address.  This is a great trip to pick up some very nice pieces of petrified wood. Everything from jewelry size pieces to several hundred pounds are available at a very inexpensive rate. Normally, I fill up a 5-gallon bucket for about $50.  Rhonda DoBell and her family make sure everyone finds what they want and leaves happy. She will probably have lunch for us as well, usually burgers, hot dogs and stuff.

  Any vehicle can make this trip without issue.  i will be inviting some other clubs to add to the fun, so make sure you wear your badge.

  Let me know if you want to go and include your phone number for last minute changes.

  VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:  Rate type of vehicle needed based on terrain: Any Vehicle

  RATE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP:  Easy...unless you're wanting a several hundred pound piece!

  MATERIAL TO BE COLLECTED:  Petrified Wood

  SAFETY (PPE) NEEDED: Safety Glasses, Gloves, Long Sleeve Shirt, Pants, Boots, Hard Hat, First-Aid Kit.

  TOOLS NEEDED: Rock Hammer, Screw Drivers, Pry Bar, Large Shovel, Small Hand shovel, Rake, Pick Axe.

  ANCILLARY ITEMS NEEDED: Sunscreen, Hat, Water, Lunch Optional, Bug Spray, Bucket, First Aid Kit.

  ADDITIONAL INFO:  Rhonda and her family will be serving a free lunch after you are done collecting, around noon.  Jim Gray's may not open until 10 AM.

  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 ON SATURDAY:

  Not Overnight Trip.

  
  

  RSVP BY DEADLINE:  Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

  LIABILTY WAIVER:  Sign Liability Waiver at Meet-Up Site.

  MAPS TO MEET-UP LOCATION:  Members must register to receive Location Address.

  
  

  BILL FREESE

  MSA Field Trip Leader

  (602) 568-6843

  bfreese77@cox.net

  
  
  

  Show details
• MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - February 19, 2026 "The Arizona State Mine Inspector's Role and Arizona’s Mineral Heritage” By Les Presmyk

  • When
    02/19/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    76

  Register

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  

  
  

  

  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  February 19, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "The Arizona State Mine Inspector's Role and Arizona’s Mineral Heritage”

  
  

  Presented by

  LES PRESMYK

  
  

  
  

  Les Presmyk

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  FEBRUARY

  Mineral of the Month:

  PSEUDOMORPH MINERAL

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Mineralogical Society of Arizona (MSA) is excited to feature a luminary of our hobby for our February 19th program on “The Arizona State Mine Inspector's Role and Arizona’s Mineral Heritage” presented by MSA’s own Les Presmyk. Les will review historic Arizona mining operations who took a proactive role in allowing collection and preservation of mineral treasures for science and future generations.  Les will discuss his role as Arizona State Mine Inspector and his office's focus on safely securing abandoned mines and training miners to ensure they’re operating safely. 

  Save the date on your calendars for this very special program for Mineralogical Society of Arizona!

  Les Presmyk grew up in our club and sharpened his collecting & competitive edge at Mineralogical Society of Arizona as a junior member before advancing to regional and national platform to compete and win at several major gem & mineral shows across the United States.  He is currently Exhibits Chairman for Phoenix Heritage Mineral Show produced by Mineralogical Society of Arizona. 

  Les Presmyk was appointed to serve as Arizona State Mine Inspector in September 2025. Les retired 8 years ago as the Principal Mining Engineer for Salt River Project, Arizona’s second largest electric utility. He and his wife of 49 years, Paula, are Arizona natives and are both graduates of the University of Arizona. Les has been actively involved in his community of Gilbert, Arizona for over 30 years, serving as the Islands H.O.A. president, Planning Commissioner, and Town Council Member for 12 years and additional roles since 2011. Most recently he founded the Veterans Advisory Board and is the current chairperson.

  Les started collecting at the age of 10 and just attended his 63rd straight Tucson Show. Their displays have received AFMS Regional and National Trophies, along with the Prospectors and Pearl Trophies in Denver, the Desautels, Lidstrom and Bideaux Trophies at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show and the Bob Jones and David Shannon Trophies at MSA's Phoenix Heritage Mineral Show. They have been the featured exhibitors at the East Coast Gem & Mineral Show in Springfield, Massachusetts twice.

  He is a past president of Mineralogical Society of Arizona (1989-1990), a past president of Tucson Gem & Mineral Society, current Chairman of the Flagg Mineral Foundation, a founding member of the University of Arizona Mineral Museum Advisory Board and appointed by Governor Ducey to the UArizona Mining, Mineral and Natural Resource Education Museum advisory board. He has served on the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show Committee for 40 years, including competitive exhibits and judging chairman for this entire period.

  Les received the 2002 A. L. Flagg Distinguished Service Award is a charter member of the 2014 Mineralogical Society of Arizona Hall of Fame, recipient of the prestigious 2017 Carnegie Mineralogical Award and recipient of the 2024 John S. White Educational Award.

  He has explored and collected in a number of localities in Arizona, Missouri and Mexico and provided engineering expertise at the San Francisco mine in Sonora, Mexico, the Brushy Creek mine in Missouri and the Red Cloud mine in Arizona. Les has written numerous articles and co-authored “Collecting Arizona”. He has spoken at the Dallas Symposium, the Yale Symposium, and the Northwest Friends of Mineralogy Symposium, along with numerous Arizona and New Mexico Symposiums, the Tucson, Springfield, and Denver Shows, and clubs throughout the United States.

  
  

  Mark your calendars for this extraordinary program by a hobby luminary and respected figure in the mineral and mining community!

  
  

  
  

  Thank you, Les, for sharing your passion and knowledge about Arizona mining history, preservation of historic mineral specimens and your role as Arizona State Mine Inspector!

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  Show details
• ROWLEY MINE FIELD TRIP (WULFENITE, MIMETITE & COPPER MINERALS)

  • When
    02/21/2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Meet Up Location @ Registration

  Register

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  

  

  

  
  

  FIELD TRIP

  ROWLEY MINE

  (WULFENITE, MIMETITE, 

  CHRYSOCOLLA & COPPER MINERALS)

  Saturday, February 21, 2026

  
  

  

  CHRYSOCOLLA (polished)

  Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.

  Russ Kaniuth Photo.

  
  

  MATERIAL: Material is all over the ground (float), but there is also some available to dig up. For the most part, you will find chrysocolla, mimetite, barite, wulfenite, galena and many other minerals as well. Ed Davis will make sure there is plenty of material on the dump. Miners will most likely have material for sale.  Bring extra cash. 

  
  

  TRIP LEADER: Bill Freese

  LEADER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2019 Gray Toyota Tacoma

  LEADER CONTACTC INFO: (602) 568-6843 

  CARPOOLS BEING ORGANIZED: No

  TRIP DATE: Saturday, February 21, 2026

  MEET-UP LOCATION ADDRESS: Gila Bend, AZ area. Members must register to receive Location Address.

  MEET-UP TIME: 9:00 AM

  DEPARTURE TIME: 9:45 AM sharp 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): Around 2:00PM.

  RSVP DEADLINE: Thursday, February 19, 2026

  FEE's: 

  • $30 Cash per person (collected at the mine gate)
  • Kids Under 18 years are Free
  • Bring Extra Cash for minerals & materials miners may have for sale.

  
  

  RATE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP (1-10):

  • Collecting on surface dumps is rated moderate (3-5).

  
  

  AGE & PETS: 

  • Kids 10+ okay. 
  • Pets must be kept nearby.  Mine has domesticated foxes onsite and they don't want foxes' hurt.

  
  

  TRAVEL NOTE:

  • Check Arizona highway condition website: https://www.az511.gov/ to verify road conditions & closure to plan your route.

  • Please allow at least 1/2 hour more time than normal to get to the meeting spot. 

  • Although the road to the mine is straightforward, it is often the trip leader’s courtesy to stay behind or assign someone to stay behind to meet stragglers. Being late is not socially acceptable behavior. Plan ahead and be on time or early.

  
  

  TRIP DETAILS:

  Rowley Mine was discovered in 1900 and until recently, was closed to the public.  Rowley is famous for wulfenite and mimetite, but there are many other minerals to collect.  Mindat.org shows Rowley has (92) valid mineral species and (13) Type Locality minerals.  MSA's Phoenix Heritage Mineral Show is Mindat Page Sponsor for the Rowley Mine.  You should be able to find at least a couple of those!  

  
  

  • MSA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

  • COUPLE MEMBERSHIP MUST REGISTER SEPARATELY FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER UNDER YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

  • Please wear MSA NAME BADGE if possible.

  • Bring extra cash.

  • We will hang out until everyone gets their fill, but plan to end the trip around 2:00 PM. 

  • Be on the look-out for critters like snakes.

  
  

  VEHICLE:

  • Most any car can make it to Rowley. Mid-Clearance recommended. Leave the Corvette at home.

  
  

  TRIP PREPAREDNESS: Arrive with full tank of gas, good tires, and vehicle in good working order.

  
  

  TOOLS NEEDED:  Rock Pick Hammer, Chisels, Screw Drivers, Pry Bar, Sledgehammer, Large Shovel, Small Hand Shovel, Rake, Pick Axe, Hand-rake and collecting container/bucket.

  ANCILLARY ITEMS NEEDED: Sunscreen, camp chair, durable hat, extra water, lunch & snacks, bug spray, first aid kit as well as all-purpose paper.  

  REQUIRED SAFETY (PPE) TO BRING: Safety glasses, gloves, long sleeve shirts, long pants, and sturdy boots. 

  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, you must contact Trip Leader as soon as possible, so group not held up waiting for a no show and allow members on stand-by list to attend trip.

  OPTIONAL OVERIGHT OR DAY TRIP ON SATURDAY: Day Trip Only

  LIABILTY WAIVER: Read and accept Liability Waiver when registering for trip and may also sign at meet-up site.

  
  

  

  CHRYSOCOLLA (polished), 14"

  Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.

  Ed David Photo.

  
  

  

  MIMETITE, WULFENITE on Barite, 2.5"

  Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.

  Ed Davis Photo.

  
  

  

  CHRYSOCOLLA

  Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.

  Ed Davis Photo.

  
  

  

  WULFENITE, MIMETITE on Barite, 3"

  Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.

  Chris Whitney-Smith Collection & Photo.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - April 16, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    04/16/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  April 16, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  APRIL

  Mineral of the Month:

  TBA

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - May 21, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    05/21/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  May 21, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  MAY

  Mineral of the Month:

  TBA

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - June 18, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    06/18/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Location
    Meeting Location in Scottsdale To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 7:30 PM Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  JUNE

  Mineral of the Month:

  TBA

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - September 17, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    09/17/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  September 17, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  SEPTEMBER

  Mineral of the Month:

  TBA

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - October 15, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    10/15/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  October 15, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  OCTOBER

  Mineral of the Month:

  TBA

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - November 19, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    11/19/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  November 19, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  NOVEMBER

  Mineral of the Month:

  TBA

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MSA Holiday Jamboree/Christmas Party - Saturday, December 12, 2026

  • When
    12/12/2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    SCOTTSDALE LOCATION revealed after Registration & Payment
  • Spaces left
    60

  
  

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  

  
  

  MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY OF ARIZONA

  2026 HOLIDAY JAMBOREE

  
  

  CELEBRATING MSA'S

  91ST ANNIVERSARY!

  
  

  
  

  THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER

  The Mineralogical Society of Arizona is celebrating its 91hst anniversary and you are cordially invited to attend the festivities to help celebrate this milestone and continue MSA’s mission to explore and share the wonders of the mineral kingdom!

  
  

  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2026

  TIME: TBD

  
  

  LOCATION

  TBD

  Revealed After Registration & Payment. 

  
  

  December Holiday Jamboree is more than just a party and meeting; it is also election of 2027 Officers and Board and election of 2026 Rockhound of the Year.

  
  

  HOLIDAY JAMBOREE CONSISTS OF FOLLOWING:

  • TBD
  • Election of 2027 Officers & Board
  • Raffles
  • Silent Auctions
  • Election of 2026 Rockhound of the Year
  • MSA will also provide punch, water and dessert.  

  RSVP REGISTRATION & PAY FEE OF

  $TBD PER MEMBER PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED.

  * Payment is non-refundable *

  
  

  REGISTER & PAY:  

  Log-In to your MSA Profile on msaaz.org,

  go to EVENTS tab to complete registration and pay.

  
  

  DEADLINE TO RSVP REGISTER & PRE-PAY: 

  December 9, 2026

   LIMITED (TBD) PAID MSA MEMBER ONLY EVENT.

  
  

  Community and Camaraderie: Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, MSA offers a welcoming environment to connect with fellow enthusiasts and deepen your appreciation for the natural world.

  Founded 90 years ago, the Mineralogical Society of Arizona (MSA) has long been a hub for rockhounds, mineral collectors, and geology enthusiasts. This milestone anniversary is a tribute to the society’s enduring passion for earth science and its vibrant community of members.
  

  

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - January 21, 2027 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    01/21/2027
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  January 21, 2027 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  Meeting is on 3rd Thursday.
  

  * No refreshments

  MEETING will be In-Person and Zoom.

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details