Good news to all rockhounds that are familiar with the Dismal Swamp area in Elmore County Idaho. Last year the Forest Service purposed the closure of this very popular rock hound location near Rocky Bar Idaho. The USFS was trying to close the site to protect the Bull trout in the stream that runs through this area. I personally think it was more to stop people from digging the stream out which is where most of the collecting has taken place over the past couple of years.
 
 
Today I spoke with Bart Lander from the Elmore County Ranger district and talked to him about the status of the closure. Well Bart informed me that the person who purposed the closure has since been transferred and that the subject was no longer being pursued, but the proposal was still on the books. To Bart’s knowledge the road will not be gated this year and hopefully it never will. I was also told that the Elmore County Ranger District had received numerous complaints about this subject, and that has help with there current decision on the Dismal Swamp closure.
 

Bart also informed me that the whole area of Dismal Swamp was under unpatented mining claims, matter of fact 14 claims to be exact. So if you are wanting to go rock collecting at Dismal Swamp you must obtain permission from the claim owner before you dig. Please respect claims and get permission first so it does not ruin it for the rest of us. I also wanted to emphasize that Bart clearly stated not to dig in the streams as it is quite illegal to do so.
 
 
So it looks as though I will be able to make the trip up to Dismal Swamp and go collect some of the famous Smokey Quartz Crystals this year. If you are not familiar with the Atlanta area or more specifically the Rocky Bar Idaho area it is very well known for its gems and minerals. The things that can be found at Dismal Swamp are Smokey Quartz, Topaz, and the most treasured of all Aquamarine.
 
 
If you would like to read a field trip report on this location there is a very fun read on Dismal Swamp.