| This area is in the heart of the Angeles National Forest and in closed to
entry during fire season. The road is good but not recommended for low
slung cars.
Material from here is mainly of interest to the mineral specimen collecter.
There is, however, a poor grade moonstone which can be cut and polished. |
Type of material found
|
Zircon
Allanite
Biotite Mica
Apatite
Moonstone
|
Description of material
|
Zircon. Occurs as small pink
to lavender clear crystals, and larger
amber to brown crystals up to 2" long. They are embedded in the feldspar
of the pegmatite and are hard to get out without breaking, but it can be
done if you are careful.
Allanite. Occurs as flat, tabular crystals, dark
brown-black in color.
These are embedded in the feldspar and are almost impossible to remove. It
may be because ????? specimens in the feldspar matrix.
Biotite Mica. Occurs as dark colored "books",
some of which are quite
large. The pegmatite in which this occurs runs for a mile or more along
the canyon walls.
Apatite. These are quite
small and occur in the contacts between the
mica and feldspar of the pegmatite. Colors are yellow, brown, green,
violet, blue, and colorless.
Moonstone. Can be found at the pegmatite and
throughout the rest of the
canyon as well. Occurs as a variety of feldspar in the pegmatite
displaying a blue sheen. This material will polish, but usually has a
"dirty" appearance
|
Equipment needed
|
Heavy sledge hammers, bars, chisels and rock hammers.
|
How to get there
|
(Note: This area usually closed from June to September
due to fire hazard).
From Solemint Junction, take Highway 14 (Antelope Valley
Freeway) 1.9 miles
to Sand Canyon Road exit. Turn right and go 10.1 miles to summit of road.
Turn left onto dirt road and proceed down into canyon, past Honey Bee and
Dutch Louie campgrounds, continuing along bottom of canyon. The road
crosses the streambed many, many times (over 50) as it winds back and forth
across the canyon floor. Some of these crossings are quite rocky and
rough, making crossing somewhat difficult for low slung cars. At 9.8 miles
from Sand Canyon Road, bear right at "Y" and continue .2 mile to short spur
road on right. Park here and walk up spur road to end, continuing to
second ravine. Hike up this ravine to diggings. The biotite mica is in
the first ravine at the end of the spur road.
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