Customer Reviews

Gem Trails of Arizona

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own three different revisions of this book. All are very useful for amateur rock hounds. My sons and I have visited about a dozen of the listed sites and all have produced nice specimens.

This review is based on visiting only 4 of the sites covered in the book. For three of the four sites, I found the hand drawn maps in the book rather confusing. Based on my limited experience, it appears that most AZ roads outside of medium to large population centers are rough, may be unmarked and, if marked, often have names/numbers that may not match the book, the gazetteer, or USGS topo maps. Furthermore, some of these collecting sites are old mine workings that are not readily visible due to overgrowth. In any case, GPS coordinates would take some of the confusion out of the location descriptions. Better maps would help also. However, we did eventually find what was advertised and this certainly is a helpful guide and worth the money spent.

After purchasing the book, I used it by going to some of the sites listed in the book and after being successful at two out of 5 of the sites I went to I would have to say that the book needs a new revised edition. But overall it is an outstanding book and a must for the rockhounds heading for Arizona.

We tried half a dozen or more of the recommended trails and had success with only one! Arizona has been developing fast and many roads were closed, gone, blocked or built over. We did enjoy our one successful day (although I wish he had noted that it would take hours to cross the unpaved dirt roads...), but lost several vacation days to paths which no longer existed :(

We ultimately decided to ditch the book so that we could enjoy more of our vacation and give up the "wild goose" chases.

I'd recommend this only for people who live in arizona and have abundant time on their hands. expect to experience more disappointments and failures than successes, and you will not be disappointed.

This book is interesting and somewhat helpful. I purchased the 2001 edition in 2009. Some of the directions and sites were not as given, but that is to be expected. It would be nice if the author had some means of being informed of changes.

Some changes that should be of interest to others are: Site 8, pg 32, Desert Roses. There were none to be found even with a walk up to and around the base of Fire Mnt. Site 20: pg 56, Parks Obsidian. Forest Road 141 has been renamed to Government Mountain Road. There is a fence around the "obsidian Tank", but there is no gate and the area is pretty well opened for samples. Site 37, page 102, Winslow petrified wood. Following the dirt road a mile or two after the bridge you will find petrified wood. There are several petrified tree remains off the shoulder of the road, however this is not the colorful petrified wood, but a brownish gray/tan with little if any color.

Site 36, page 100, Joseph City Petrified wood appears now to be a trash site. Small pieces of petrified wood and agate can be found, but be careful of the broken bottles and other trash that has been dumped in the area.

This is a helpful book for finding some of the minerals that are listed.Gem Trails of Arizona

We have several of these guide books for different states, and while they get you to the general area you are looking, you just don't seem to find the exact spot he was talking about. The mileage is off, so we aren't sure if it is us or him. He does a great job of writing the books, we just wish that we could get the directions figured out better. And I know that it is not just us. Many rockhounds we have talked to have said the same thing about the mileage, it didn't work out and you had to guess. All in all, we will still buy these books and hope to hit a jackpot!!!

The Gem Trails guides are always the best choice for a rockhound unfamilar with an area. The site descriptions and maps are always very accurate.

I was quit pleased about seeing so many places to go in Arizona that are not so far off the main highways. Where we can make a small detour, and have a great time. I have the California addition and have enjoyed it a great deal and am looking forward to seeing some of the sights next time I am going to Arizona.

It is a good book after all. The maps are clear enough, but you'd better do some homework with google maps at home before going out. Also, a GPS will help a lot.
I have been to only one site now... found some nice agates, but just a few fire agates. When the book says some rock mines have been "worked out", that means there's almost nothing left.
Things not so perfect: Very few descriptions about gold sites, and haven't mentioned Turquoise at all !!!
Can you believe it? Arizona is such a big producer of turquoise but you can't find a single word of "turquoise" in this book!! I am wondering if the author has been threatened by some turquoise mine owners or something...
However, I would say it's a good book. You will have fun.

I only wish there were color pictures of each mineral you can find at each location. There are quite a few pictures though and very detailed directions. I can't wait to get started!