Author: Mark

August, 2015, Field Trip
By Joe Goetz
DIY Los Olivos Serpentine Collecting
The August field trip is intended to allow our members to enjoy a coastal rock and gem show and then to participate in an easy DIY or do-it-yourself rock collecting adventure on the way there or back. I suggest a nice early drive up U.S. 101 to the show of the Orcutt Mineral Society in Nipomo - a beautiful 2½ hour drive up the coast from Pasadena. On your way back, stop to collect our state rock - Serpentine.
The Show: The Orcutt Mineral Society’s annual “Rainbow of Gems Show” which brings craftsmen and lapidary artists from many California counties. Several dealers will be presenting their wares of jewelry, gems, minerals and lapidary equipment. Local craftsmen will be displaying fascinating jewelry in gold and silver as well as mineral specimens. Also to be found will be collectibles, unusual gifts, fossils, rocks and geodes. The indoor show and outside tailgate event is family oriented and is educational for both children and adults. Kids get a free polished rock from the Rock Box. No admission or parking fee is charged for the show. RV’ers are welcome to dry camp at the event or use one of the many local camping parks such as at North Broadway and US101 in Santa Maria where full hook-ups are available. One of a kind crafted stone merchandise from all over the world at rock-bottom prices. Raffles, prizes for the whole family. Food Catered by G-Brothers Smokehouse of San Luis Obispo. http://www.omsinc.org/tailgate.html
Serpentine is a shiny green stone, sometimes with a lot of yellow or black intermixed. Frank Winn of the North Orange County club says “There is not much to finding the Serpentine”. Here are Frank’s directions: From Nipomo, take US-101 south for 32.5 miles. Take the CA-154 exit, (exit 146), toward Los Olivos/Cachuma Lake. Drive 3.3 miles on CA-154 into downtown Los Olivos. Turn left onto Figueroa Mountain Road, which parallels Alamo Pintado Creek, and drive about 7 miles to a cattle gate. Continue past the gate and up the mountain to a switchback where the mountain cut side of the road is Serpentine. Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, a hat and drink a lot of water. Happy Collecting!

Joe Goetz
Field Trip Chairman

Nipomo

Watch road cuts for serpentine

US-101

Figueroa Mtn Rd

Los Olivos

CA-154

Santa Barbara

US-101

Oxnard

Pasadena

CA-134