A Trip to the Southern Pacific Railroad Silica Quarry, Nuevo, California

The Southern Pacific Railroad Silica Quarry at Nuevo, CA presents one of the most interesting publicly visible pegmatite displays in the United States. Using the map provided on the prior page and reaching the crest of the road keep following it until you end up in a motorcycle haven. You want to end up on the road that is under the power towers to the north. Follow the road until it starts heading downhill and park next to the road going up the hill to the left. Although you can drive up it and find places to park I prefer to park off the road below. When you are ready to leave you have to turn around since there is a gated community below and the gates are locked.

To collect here you will need good eyes, gloves, a shovel or pick, rock hammer and chisels, safety goggles. On the dumps one can find asteriated quartz, a rose colored quartz, schorl, garnets (both altered and spessartine), felspar, and mica.The quartz is rarely found as crystals - mostly as cleavage planes. You might also search the washes and other granite outcrops in the area. lso be watchful of hazards - boht physical and natural - i.e. rocks above your head and critters on the ground.