19 Jun
Posted by Jason as Rock Hounding Field Trips
Well for Fathers Day 2008 I decided that my family was going to Rabbit Springs Idaho to collect some fluorescent thundereggs. The day started off at a very early 4:30 a.m. so we could be to the collection site by early morning to beat the heat. From Boise Rabbit Springs is about 170 miles each way. It was a long drive but a very beautiful one at that. To get to Rabbit Springs you can take I84 to Twin Falls Idaho. After you get to Twin Falls you need to head south on highway 93 heading to Jackpot Nevada. Matter of fact Rabbit Springs is about 3.5 miles north of Jackpot on the left hand side of the highway.
Rabbit Springs from what I have been told used to be a rest area but is no longer there. The only remnants left is a little bit of paved road.
After a few hours of driving we finally arrive to Rabbit Springs. I actually had never been there but had been told that the site was literally a 100 yards off of highway 93 and this is correct. After turning off the highway you will want to turn left and there will be the remains of a paved road, follow it for about 1/4 mile or so. You will come to what looks like a very eroded black lava flow on the left stop you are there. The collection site is just past the little lava flow heading towards the highway.
First thing you will notice is that there are pieces of these thunder eggs everywhere. This is a very easy dig for kids as the thundereggs are about 2-6 inches below the surface in a very loose dirt. The family and I collected thunder eggs for about 45 minutes before we had each filled a 5 gallon bucket full of the Rabbit Springs Fluorescent Thunderegg.
I will let you know that these are not the most beautiful Thundereggs as they are quite plain. A few will be solid but most are partially filled with Chalcedony. The one cool thing about these Thundereggs is that they light up green under a short wave Ultra Violet Light.
After such a long drive it has to be the easiest field trip that I have ever done. 2 1/2 hours to get there and 45 minutes to collect. To be honest I probably will never go again as the Thundereggs are not quite as nice as other places I have been to but a great trip to take the kids. What kid does not think a rock that glowing in the dark is not cool.
So to end this Field Trip I would have to give it a 4 out of 10 due to the quality of the Thundereggs and the distance traveled to collect them. If you are looking for a easy field trip with the kids this would be by far the best kid trip I’ve been on.
9 Responses
Ben
June 21st, 2008 at 11:41 pm
1I have never heard of a thunderegg before. Fascinating. Any chance you may sell me 3 or 4 so I can enjoy a couple and cut a couple? I’m a 100% disabled combat Marine and I enjoy doing this type of thing. Unfortunetly, I am unable to go on field trips. There’s my sob story.
Please let me know. Ben
Wayne O'Bleness
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
2Morning! The Rabbit springs area is OWNED by the YANKE Corp,And I have a Signed and Notarized Lease option to mine the property, If anyone wants to dig they must contact me FIRST! I allow (with permission rockhounds to dig around ) but not at or near the main dig site or near any of my equipment! I can be contacted at 760-912-9186 Thank You Wayne
Joel G.
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
3Sweet! Definitely worth a trip. Now I just need to buy rock saw. x.o
Garret Romaine
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
4If the main dig site isn’t available, there are plenty of eroded eggs on the west side of the highway, across from the turnoff, and there is enough room to pull over and park. As Jason points out, these are pretty ugly eggs until you put them under a black light. (Ben - you’d do better with Richardson’s Ranch thundereggs, which are easier to cut and far more showy. They have a website, and I think you can order from them.)
Wayne: I’m curious if the bigger basalt flows to the east are claimed or blocked? We were there in March and found some seams of uninteresting blue-gray agate.
Wayne O'Bleness
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
5Hello Garret, That land is Patented (deeded) for about 12 miles along the highway and goes East of highway for about 1 1/2 miles at the narrowest point, unless the land is leased from owner I don’t believe you would ever have a problem out there (except on the leased parcels,miners are a cantankerous bunch LOL), I believe I know where the blue grey vein structure your talking about is , If you went north about 2 miles ( over top of hill as your driving on the hwy) then find a way in and search that area and the “vein” of material changes to a greyish/blue with red jasper running in a layered form(if cut correctly will produce RED lines across the mother rock)( I have GPS cords. if needed) care must be taken when cabbing as the Jasper is softer than the agate and will undercut!If I can be of help to anyone feel free to contact me .Jason has my phone number. Wayne
Jason
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
6Garret,
Thanks for the comment. I would definitely have to agree with you on the Richardsons Thunder Eggs. I brought home about 75 with only 2 being mud balls.
Wayne,
Thanks for chiming in about the Rabbit Springs area. I think I may have to go explore that area a little more someday. Matter of fact I would love to go out there at night with a UV light and photograph the site. I bet it would look absolutely amazing.
Garret Romaine
July 4th, 2008 at 12:21 am
7Wayne:
That whole area is listed in Lanny Ream’s book, Collectors Guide to Collecting Gems and Minerals in Idaho, but the info is a bit out of date. Is that a problem? Reason I ask is I have been contracted to write “Rockhounding Idaho” by Globe and I would really like to include the spot to the west in my book.
Wayne O'Bleness
July 4th, 2008 at 7:58 am
8Morning Garret, No I think It should be fine,If you’d like you could put a note to contact myself before digging, but all the west area is open digging and the agate I mentioned (with crude directions) is a nice side trip while in the area, most people don’t think of the Jarbridge trip across to Oregon ,there is a lot of great material and digs along the way and the town is quite a nice place to visit! I can be contacted at 760-912-9186 I’m in Eagle just a weird number LOL Wayne
Wayne O'Bleness
July 4th, 2008 at 8:04 am
9Ben, If we can get together I would be more than happy to help a Brother(3rd force Recon) Viet Nam,of course there would be no charge and can help you cut if needed Wayne
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