This trip is open to all rockhounds that agree to abide by the AFMS Code of Ethics, the directions of the field trip leader, and practice safe rockhounding. A Consent and Assumption of Risk Waiver of Liability form must be signed upon arriving at the campsite.

TRIP LOCATION - The Wiley Well District is 10 miles southwest of Blythe, CA and is one of the most popular collecting areas on the Colorado Desert.

WHEN - Thanksgiving Weekend, November 23-27, 2005.

SPONSOR - CFMS Field Trip, South.

ORGANIZATION - CFMS.

MATERIAL TO COLLECT - All types and colors of Agate & Jasper, Crystal filled Geodes, Botryoidal Psilomelane, Fire Agate, Chalcedony Roses, Zeolite Crystal filled Amygdules, Calcite Rhombs, Petrified Wood and much more (fresh air & blue sky).

LEADER - Bob Fitzpatrick. RUROCKY2@aol.com or call me at (951) 845-3051

PROPOSED SCHEDULE - All trips will leave at 8:00 a.m. SHARP from the campgrounds. Assemble at 7:45 for details and instructions for each day's trip. Each day we will break up into smaller groups where each group will be going to a different collecting area. This way everyone can collect at all collecting sites. Be sure to carry your lunch and water when we go to the collecting sites. We will not come back to camp during the day. Thanksgiving Day we will have a potluck dinner early in afternoon. See General Information for more details.

DIRECTIONS TO CAMPSITE - Exit Interstate 10 at Wiley Well Road approximately 10 miles west of Blythe and 31 miles east of Desert Center. Follow Wiley Well Road south for 12.5 miles to the campsite on the West side of road at the Riverside and & Imperial Co. lines. Watch for Club and CFMS signs to camp site.

VEHICLE - Roads to campgrounds and collecting sites are typical desert roads and should be okay for most cars, trailers and motor homes. From the campsite to the collecting areas, 4wheel drive vehicles and pick-ups are recommended.

CAMPGROUNDS & FACILITIES - This is a dry camping area, no water, no services, no hookups, no toilets. There is a dump station at the Rest Stop at the Wiley Well exit off I-10; however, there is no potable water. Blythe has a free dump station and good water 2 blocks south of I-10 at the Lovkin Ave. exit. Blythe is also good place to get food, supplies, ice and gasoline. It is approximately 25 miles from Blythe to the campsite. There are numerous good motels in Blythe with a wide range of rates. The closest town to the campsite is Palo Verde, approximately 16 miles through Coon Hollow and over the Mule Mtns. There is a convenience store (food, etc.), gasoline, a couple of restaurants and rock shop in Palo Verde. Road OK for trucks but not cars.

TOOLS - Collecting bags and boxes, digging tools, rock hammer, eye gear, spray water bottle, etc. Be sure to bring your camp chair to sit in at night around the fire at night.

SAFETY CONCERNS - Do not lick the rocks, use sun screen, stay away from rattle snakes, use bug spray, be aware of flash floods, be extra careful and don't get lost.

CLIMATE & WEATHER - We are planning on nice weather-sunny days; cool, clear, star filled nights. But remember it can rain this time of year so be prepared and plan ahead.

CLOTHING - Appropriate for this time of year.

GENERAL INFORMATION - Come and join us for the day or camp out with us. Bring food, lots of water, cell-phone, walkie-talkies, GPS, first aide kit, camera, flashlight and lots of firewood for the campfires at night. Don't forget, we are having a potluck on Thanksgiving Day, so bring a dish to share and your own place setting. We also need a few people to bring turkeys. Each night after dark we will have a campfire where we can all join together and have a good time roasting marshmallows, telling jokes or just talking about the good ole times. I should be arriving at the campsite around 11:00 a.m. on Wed., the 23rd.

For additional information
Email me at RUROCKY2@aol.com
or call me at (951) 845-3051

Bob Fitzpatrick
CFMS Field Trip Leader South