Rockhounding Gold, Quartz, & More in the Eldorado Mountains- Las Vegas, Nevada
In this episode of Solomon's Vegas Adventures, Solomon ventured out into the Eldorado Mountains to go rockhounding. Solomon spent almost the entirety of his Field Geology I course at UNLV in the Eldorado's, and his studies came in handy. Solomon found specimens of Aegirine, Diopside, Spinel, Quartz, Copper, Gold, and Silver out in the wilderness. The locality in which Solomon went rockhounding is known as Bridge Spring Canyon and the Bridge Spring Arch.
Solomon also dives deeply into the Geologic History of the locality. The area is composed of a litany of Miocene aged Volcanic rocks that have been extensively titled, faulted, and torn asunder by the Earth during the formation of the Eldorado Mountains Metamorphic Core Complex, due to that ever pertinent Basin & Range Rifting. Solomon dives deeper into this geology in the video.
Gold, Silver, and other precious metals have been mined in the Eldorado Mountains since the 1850's. The town of Nelson can attest to this. The specific part of the Eldorado's that Solomon explored today has not been opened for mining, but several studies assert that the area yields significant Gold, Silver, Copper, and other metals, and would be a quite prosperous place to mine.
The trailhead is located at a saddle off of NV-165 about 10 miles from US-95. To get to the area from town, take US-95/I-11 south until you reach Exit 14 for US-95. Take the exit, and head south on US-95 for 10 miles. Turn left on NV-165 and continue for 10 miles until you reach the pass.
All photos copyright of their respective owners, no copyright infringement intended.
For more information, consult these studies that I did:
pubs.usgs.gov/of/1991/0323/re...
pubs.usgs.gov/of/1994/0246/re...
#rockhounding #geology #adventure #lasvegas #nevada #findinggold #prospecting #explore #explorenevada #prospectinggold #quartz #minerals
Пікірлер: 43
In Florida now, but one of my trips back to Vegas, went to Nelson area, Prospecting. Ran into Guy with a Mine, Lot of Old Cars in his Canyon, his Initials are RF. Don't want to give his name. He would take Orange colored Rocks, place in his Tumbler, about 3 foot long, 1 1/2 ' diameter and Mercury, would form an Amalgam. He would then put in a Retort and get 2 to 3 ounce Buttons of Gold. I took an Orange Rock while there, placed in a Mortar and Pestal(Steel pipe welded onto a steel plate) crushed into a powder, then panned out, had a streak of gold, then silver, black magnetic sand, the rest was white sand. Nice area. There was a Flash Flood, maybe the '70's, a 17' wall of water washed Nelson into the Colorado River. Always wanted to Dive in the Colorado, just South of Where Nelson's Landing was. Heaviest stuff would drop first. The Landing last I saw was covered in several feet of Overburden. Cool area. Enjoy Stratmando
No no boredom here! Thanks for the lesson Solomon.
Amazing geology lesson, thanks so much. Expert-level rockhounding to grab the tiny quartz and spinel xtls. Nice job with directions and maps, too. Impressive confidence tossing out so many geology terms!
Men thank you for all info. Give us knowledge around las Vegas.. we love outdoors and exploring.. good channel. S.V A.
Always looking for new areas to Rockhound Treasurehunt around my home town. Really good info! Vegas is not just a hot desert. Its a treasure trove of outstanding Rockhound specimens.
I went out to this area in March 2020, I found tons of really cool geodes out there in the wash to the east of the bridge spring arch, topo map calls it oak Creek canyon. Going back out there to find more. Nice video will keep my eye out for some gold, copper and silver now!
I live in Vegas too and I totally appreciate your videos! You make learning ‘not so confusing’ with all the terms and big words lolol…. I like to see what I’m looking at thru your videos … I just was out around Nelson and now I know what we saw!! So THANK YOUUUUU XOXOXO
Fantastic job
I really appreciate the actual information I mean I learn something from and look forward to every video. By far my favorite desert rockhounding channel of all time.
@solomonsoutdooradventures
2 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate that!!! Thank you for the support!!!
Awesome brother. Keep up the awesome content.
Great job on this video.
I freaking love this kid!
This guy has a giant geological brain and a personality that can present this topic in a spectacular fashion, Bravo Maestro! New and upcoming superstar is predicted. Watch this one!
Love you're videos and help protect thacker pass
Nice mapping, x-section and interpretation. You've got an interesting career ahead of you, enjoy it. I just retired after 40 years of engineering geology with no regrets. I'll pass the torch along. Good luck kid.
Do a shadow test on the gold to difiniate gold and silver. Gold will continue to shine in shade !!!
Great video. I wish I had your level of knowledge with geology. It's cool that you appreciate the beauty of the desert. Many don't have an appreciation for it's stark beauty. Your possible gold in host rock may be something else. Crushing a specimen to powder and then carefully panning it out will offer the proof. As you know, chalcopyrite can really resemble native gold, but will behave differently in sunlight vs. shade and of course, will reveal its specific gravity in the pan. Keep up the good work my friend.
I have also found "BLUE " SPEK & I like you nearly possesed it but LOST it. And COUGER is my worst FEAR
New sub. Thanks for doing something unique, showing us what to look for. Prospecting without geology basics and visual confirmation is very difficult. I have spent quite some time prospecting (recreational) and have a fair bit of geology knowledge however don't know what an area or gold bearing rocks look like. Gold is not prevalent in my area so I have to travel quit a bit to get to gold areas. However if I would find gold or have already found gold I may not know it. I love that you have brought the two together.
always love your analogy of our local geology, keep it up!
🔥
Love your videos man
Knowledge!!! Right on my brother!
Hey! Love your videos. I was out behind lake Las Vegas and found a strange rock that had yellow spherical crystal in it. Still not sure what it is
So cool
first 4 minutes was pure awesomeness!!! In fact, Im going to find your map (if it was filed) and download it!! thanks for sharing!! learned a lot!!
Thanks Solomon enjoyed your knowledge and presentation
@solomonsoutdooradventures
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your continued support, Barry. I appreciate it immensely and I'm glad you found my video insightful and enjoyable!
XLNT 👍
Great video, Solomon! I want to go rockhounding with you in Vegas.
@solomonsoutdooradventures
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the support!!! As of now, I’m splitting my time between here and Elko (for work), so I’m not sure what my schedule is like going forward… perhaps sometime in the future!!! Feel free to contact me on Instagram @solomon.feinstein
Can you find placer gold out here or is the area more known for lode? TIA
Yes gold will follow blue.
I’m in Vegas and would love to go rockhounding with you
@solomonsoutdooradventures
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the support!!! As of now, I’m splitting my time between here and Elko (for work), so I’m not sure what my schedule is like going forward… perhaps sometime in the future!!! Feel free to contact me on Instagram @solomon.feinstein
Great vids bro. Appreciate you sharing. I'm in Pahrump, where can I find gold here? We are old and can't really hike for miles...thanks again for sharing
@caseykelso1
2 жыл бұрын
I was looking for some simple information. Not a heart, thanks for nothing....
@bobbyhill386
2 жыл бұрын
@@caseykelso1 There is a group called " gold searchers of southern nevada " that you might be interested in. They have a claim right next to pahrump. They have a fee to join, it's about 50$ but you get access to the gold claims for a whole year. Hope this info helps!
When you're there, Stop in the Nelson shop and open the freezer.
#14.
Exelent warning about the big cats, not many people understand what a threat a mountain lion can be and the part about if you feel like you are being watched get out of there. Yes. Fact.
I usually take a gun with me just in case when I am out in the middle of no where. Never had to use it. Never want to . If i ever happened to get stalked by a large cat..(Bobcats aren't really a concern but a cougar could basically tare you to pieces)I would just look tall .not run. And maybe throw a rock at it 🤷♀️ if it got too close. Usually we aren't any more than a curiosity to them .but some have been known to attack. I am more concerned with accidentally spooking a rattle snake 🐍. Also we have cows 🐄all over the place and you don't wanna get close to them if you don't have to but they are usually pretty use to people and aren't aggressive..just don't get too close or spook em...i saw in another video you were talking about cows and they are usually pretty friendly in my experience. Just be mindful and respectful and it usually isn't a big deal