HOME

ANGEL PINS &
DREAMCATCHERS
BASKETS
BLANKETS
BOOKS
EARRINGS
FETISHES
JEWELRY
POTTERY
REPLICAS
ROCKS, GEMS &  MINERALS
TOURMALINE

MAP
AREA INFO
RELATED LINKS


ARTICLES INDEX

Art Inspired by Nature Virtual Tour

Oregon Sunstone----High Desert Adventure
by Marilee J. Strech

If you are looking for a good summer rockhounding adventure with a great
variety of collectibles, eastern Oregon is the place to go.  Sunstone,
Oregon's state gemstone, is just one of the things you can find in the high
desert region just north of the California--Nevada border intersection with
Oregon.  You can fly into Reno, NV or Klamath Falls, OR, rent a car and drive
the rest of the way, which will shorten the trip considerably, if you are
coming from any distance away.   The sunstone collecting area is located in
the "Oregon Outback" , about 25 miles from Plush.  Be sure and top off your
gas tank, pick up ice, groceries, and plenty of water for both you and your
vehicle.  There are places to dry camp in the free dig area, but no
facilities other than pit toilets.   The nearest motels are 90 miles away in
Lakeview.  If you plan on spending several days at the sunstone area, an RV
of some sort is your best bet. 

There are a number of private claims in the sunstone area which border the
four square mile public area.  Several of these allow fee digging, which is a
great way to cut out some of the work involved in obtaining good, colorful
sunstone.  Of these, the Dust Devil Mining Co. would be my choice, hands
down!  Here you find friendly folks who treat you like family.  You will be
allowed to "walk the pit" or go through the pile of tailings that accumulate
at the end of the sorting equipment.  They are known for the size and variety
of colors of their specimens as being the best the area has to offer.  Pinks,
reds, schiller, even green, silver and blue sunstone has been found here. 

If you wish to contact them, they can be reached at P. O. Box 55, Plush, OR
97637.  The phone number is (503) 559- 2495, or you can look them up on the
internet at www.dustdevilmining.com.   They open Memorial Day weekend, and
close October 1st.  

While in the area, a  side trip to the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge should
be first on your list.  Not only can you collect opal, jasper, coprolites and
obsidian arrowhead chippings, you can soak in the hot springs located a short
distance from the Refuge headquarters.  Camping is available here, as well as
good drinking water to replenish your supply.   Antelope are plentiful as
well as numerous other species of animals, many of which can be viewed from
your vehicle. 

Virgin Valley NV, the location of the fabulous fire opal, is a 2 1/2 hour
drive from Plush.  The Rainbow Ridge mine ( 702- 941-0270) or the Peacock
mine (702-941-0374) are both  located in Virgin Valley, with camping allowed
at both locations.

Another side trip is Davis Creek CA, south of Lakeview on Hwy. 395.  Here you can collect mahogany obsidian needles, as well as  silver sheen, and rainbow obsidian.   This area is mountainous and steep, probably best for 4 WD vehicles.  Also, goggles and gloves are a necessity for collecting at this location, as obsidian is volcanic glass and extremely sharp. 

For good family fun and great specimens, it would be hard to find a better collecting trip than this one.  Happy hunting!!!