August 2019
Journey Through Oregon: A Rockhounding Adventure
Armed with a Falcon’s Rockhounding Oregon guide and a trusty Toyota Camry rental, I embarked on an exhilarating six-day exploration of Oregon’s southeastern desert. My mission: to uncover nature’s hidden treasures in the form of obsidian, agate, petrified wood, picture stone, jasper, and thunder eggs. With a plan to traverse 600 miles, I mapped out nine diverse locations, spending a few hours at each site. However, my journey took a captivating turn at the renowned Glass Butte.
Discovering Glass Butte
Glass Butte, a sprawling 36-square-mile expanse, is a rockhounder’s paradise teeming with various types of obsidian, including gold sheen, silver sheen, purple, rainbow, mahogany, and leopard varieties. Despite having visited briefly before, this time my determination to find dazzling pieces was unwavering. Unfortunately, my low-sitting sedan restricted travel on the rugged side roads. Instead of undertaking a strenuous hike to the elusive rainbow obsidian, I opted for a manageable 3 mile round trip journey that passed through a few different location. I found plentiful gold and silver sheen, mahogany, and aurora borealis obsidian. Each trek back to my car, laden with a heavy pack, was a rewarding endeavor.
Glass Butte offers free camping, and while I encountered only one couple, I observed about eight others scattered across the area. Its popularity ensures an abundant supply of obsidian for all who venture there.
The Serenity of the Desert
The most enchanting aspect of rockhounding, and the standout highlight of my trip, was the profound sense of solitude found in the desert. Miles down a dusty road, surrounded by sagebrush and rocks, I was far removed from the clamor of civilization. Perhaps I’d hear a light breeze tickling the ear or a fly buzz overhead. On rare occasion there may even be a bird or in some instances a body of water. Slight ripples, lapping up over river stones, but mostly, there is stillness. The sun beats down, the sweat drips, the rocks sit and wait. The silence is a presence all its own. A peaceful calm so powerful it demands the same stillness in me.
A Community of Rockhounders
An unexpected joy of my journey was the vibrant rockhounding community I encountered. Although I had only twice met fellow enthusiasts in my six years of collecting in the West, I crossed paths with four couples during my six days in Oregon. These fellow adventurers were similarly dedicated to discovering hidden treasures. We exchanged tales of locations, offered advice on road conditions, shared lapidary tips, and even traded or gifted our finds. It was a delight to connect with others who shared my passion.
Rockhounding in the West
While I am unfamiliar with rockhounding in the eastern United States, the West offers an abundance of rocks with minimal effort required to find decent specimens. The willingness to venture off the beaten path is often rewarded with free or inexpensive camping options. For those unbothered by the absence of modern amenities, it is an ideal pursuit. The shared aroma among fellow rockhounders suggested that skipping a bath was a minor inconvenience.
The Final Stop
Concluding my adventure, I made a final stop in Utah to collect wonderstone at a renowned location. Laden with approximately 160 pounds of rock, I capitalized on Southwest Airline’s policy of two free checked bags and supplemented with USPS flat rate shipping to transport my treasures home.
They say Oregon is where rockhounders go to die, and after experiencing its bountiful offerings, I understand why. The journey was a testament to the allure of nature’s hidden gems and the shared passion of those who seek them.
Sacred Totems 