| Crystal Vista free quartz mine Mt. Ida, AR US Uploaded By Scott (webmaster) Uploaded on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 03:13:07 PM Viewed 14990 times |
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| Here is a free quartz collecting site from an old mine. From reference link: "Located on the Womble Ranger District in Mount Ida, Arkansas, Crystal Vista is the Ouachita National Forest's first developed crystal collecting area. It's a beautiful location at the top of Gardner Mountain overlooking Lake Ouachita and Mount Ida to the north and scenic mountain ranges to the south. Located in the Crystal Mountain Sandstone Formation, this is the heart of the quartz crystal producing area. There is a parking area at the base of the mountain and a good trail to the site. It will take about 20 minutes of moderate hiking uphill to get to it. It's a fun place for the kids to look for small crystal points and white quartz rock. Pack a lunch and enjoy the view (please pack out all trash). And, don't forget your camera!" | If you were going south on highway 27 from Mt. Ida, take a left after 3.8 miles onto Owley Rd (County Road 2237). Go 4.1 miles to the Crystal Vista trailhead on the left (road is not paved at that point and is a Forest Service road). After parking on the trailhead, you will hike up the hill about 20 minutes. Go to the website link for more info. |