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12 THE PACIFIC MINERALOGIST

Sunday, April 27, 1941. Palmdale, ed considerable history of the ghost
9:30 A.M. Visiting Blackbird Can- town which is both variable and in-
yon, a small canyon extending south teresting.
from Ana Verde Valley into the The next stop, or rather scenic
Sierra Pelona Range. Ana Verde drive, was Odessa Canyon, a seven
Valley is part of the great San An- mile ride through the Calico Moun-
dreas fault. The following minerals tains. There one may see the old
were found there: actinolite, Stea- drifts and tunnels of some of the
tite, manganite, and garnierite; also old mines.
some very good crystals of a mineral The next stop was Borate, another
that is not yet identified. Those mak- ghost town, the scene of some of the
ing this trip saw one of the finest activities of "Borax" Smith. It is
displays of wild flowers seen in reached via Mule Canyon although
years. The next stop was Portal in the '80s it boasted a narrow gauge
Ridge where we found piedmontite railroad connecting with the Santa
in a schist outcrop. This is all new Fe's main line at Daggett. Minerals
country for collectors to work.
collected there were satinspar, price-
Three Day Trip ite, colemanite, selenite crystals, ce-
May 30-31, June L 1941. Through lestite crystals, chert, and jasper.
the courtesy of the Los Angeles Lapi- Sunday, Oct. 26, 1941. Sharktooth
dary Society we were permitted to Hill, situated about seven miles
join them on a three q.ay trip to a northeast of Bakersfield.
new geode deposit about 35 miles Since its discovery eighty years
southeast of Harvey's Well on high- ago it has been the scene of dig-
ways 60 and 70. This was a dry gings of many paleontologists and
camp in the low mountains. A three many papers have been written
days' supply of water and eats had about it. The Pacific Mineralogist
to :Ce carried by all cars. The quali- for December, 1936 has a paper by
ty and quantity of material collected Mr. Paul VanderEike of Bakersfield
exceded all expectations. Several which is as good a condensed his-
fine amethyst geodes were brought tory as can be found anywhere.
back. The 3000 miles covered on these
Sunday, Sept. 28, 1941. Santa Fe field trips brought not only added
Station, Barstow, 9:30 A.M. at the pleasures and new friendships, but
ghost town of Calico with its Wall revealed many of nature's wonders
Street Canyon, we visited the old in canyons, streams, valleys and
silver mine which produced over 60 mountains of our own outdoor
million dollars in the '80s and early country-and proved profitable in
'90s. At the present time Larry Coke added stores to collections and much
is operating some of the workings fine material that will keep the lapi-
and maintains a museum of minerals dary wheels turning for sometime
and relics of Calico. He has collect- to come.
*

SELECTED MINERAL SPECIMENS
OF- HIGHEST' QUALITY
W 'rite to
SCHORTMANN'S MINERALS
6 McKinley Avenue Easthampton, Mass.