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 22-26, 2006.

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.

LEADER: Bob Fitzpatrick.
Please notify me by 11/15/06, if you plan on attending. Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or need more information:
     Phone: 951) 845-3051      Email: RURocky2@aol.com

PROPOSED SCHEUDLE: Please, I need some Rockhound to step forward and give me a hand at leading folks to collecting areas. Call me if you are planning on helping out. 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 different collecting areas; this way everyone will be able to 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 the 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/Imperial County line. Watch for Club and CFMS signs to camp site.

VEHICLES: Roads to campgrounds and camping sites are typical desert roads and should be okay for most cars, trailers and motor homes to the campsite and 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 4 wheel drive vehicles but not 2wheel drive vehicle.

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 team up with a buddy 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, camp chair, and lots of firewood for the campfires at night.
Don't forget, we are having a potluck on Thanksgiving Day, so bring 2 dishes to share, and your own place setting. We also need a few people to bring turkeys please. We were a little short on turkey last year. If you are planning on bringing turkey, please call me.
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 22nd.