Rockhounding the Wiley's Well District of California: The GPS User's Guide

The Wiley’s Well Rockhounding District, occupying the northeastern part of the Colorado Desert in southern California, contains a number of well known rock-collecting locations. Without any doubt the most famous is the Hauser Geode Beds. Some, like the Potato Patch, which is known for its thundereggs, or the Opal Hill Mine, which produces outstanding fire agate, are almost equally notable. Other sites in the Wiley’s Well District may not be as well known, but can be just as productive.

 Until the advent of the Global Positioning System and hand-held readers, getting to the collecting sites had always been a problem. Few were on main roads, and most back roads in the desert were unmarked two-track affairs that did not show on most maps. Moreover, because no one lived in the area, there generally was no one to provide directions.

Delmer G. Ross, a history professor at La Sierra University in Riverside, California, now offers GPS users a solution to that annoying difficulty. He not only pinpoints the collecting sites, but he does the same for every significant junction on the way to them. No maps are needed. One can find his or her way with ease and much greater accuracy than that offered by any map.

In addition to offering information on how to reach collecting locations and explaining what can be unearthed, probably because of his own interest in history, Ross also provides historical information on most areas. Knowing what has gone on before can enhance the pleasure of collecting.

Based on a well received series of articles on rock collecting in the Wiley’s Well District, this book can guide rockhounds to more than two dozen different collecting sites. Because it will add to their success and enjoyment, for rockhounds planning to visit any of the collecting sites of the District, this book is an absolute must!