Little Falls Ny Finds

[Brewcuse]

My girlfriend and I took my 9-yo son and her 9-yo nephew on a rockhounding trip this past weekend to the Mohawk Valley. Both boys love finding Herkimer Diamonds (thanks Minecraft!) and we're trying to get them more into fossiling as well.

First we went to Crystal Grove for Herkimer Diamonds. Having visited both commercial sites in Middleville (Herkimer KOA & Ace of Diamonds) already, I'd rate Crystal Grove as the most family friendly for a day trip. They have a beautiful, rustic campground and play area close to the "mining" area. The boys found tons of diamonds scavenging the surface and I banged on rocks with somewhat less success than at Middleville.

I even got my boy to try out "real-life" Minecrafting

Here's my boy with his first trilobits and Herkimer treasure:

We left there around 4p to head south of Little Falls for the black Utica Shale. We tried first the "bridges" location that others have mentioned but skunked, so we headed around the detour and came in the back way near the town barn. We had found some bits here a month ago and we thought we'd pick up where we left off. Of course, it took some time to start finding anything, but eventually we picked up 20-30 assorted trilo pieces.

The creek is gorgeous!

Here are my faves:

I would definitely recommend this kind of day trip to anyone (it's 250miles roundtrip for us) looking to combine the thrill of doubly-terminated quartz crystals with excellent Ordovician fossils.

[Brewcuse]

I also found 2 similar fossils, judging by other posts and commentary, I'm guessing straight nautiloids? The big, cracked piece I left in situ, the smaller shale piece I collected.

in situ

in hand

The color on this one is enhanced a little, the stone is black.

Edited June 24, 2014 by Brewcuse

[Fossildude19]

Nice report and finds!

Thanks for posting - hope to get out that way later this summer/early fall.

Regards,

[Auspex]

I like the picture of the Two-Handed-Hammer-Hefter!