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Rockhounding
Most of the Modoc National Forest is covered by basaltic lava flows. Mineral materials found on the forest include obsidian and obsidian needles, petrified wood and assorted gemstones. The east side of the Warner Mountains in particular has exposed rock in the many canyons, including finds of petrified wood and assorted gemstones.
“While no artifacts may be collected and all obsidian collection requires a permit, rockhounds may collect up to one five gallon bucket of mineral materials other than obsidian from the surface only. All excavation or other resource damage is prohibited during personal-use collection activities.” Collecting in any quantity for commercial purpose requires a permit available only in advance from the Forest Supervisors Office in Alturas. Areas on which claims have been filed are not open for removal of minerals. The Bureau of Land Management manages mineral claims. Obsidian excavation may be done under a Free Use Authorization at any of the four designated common use areas: Rainbow Mine, Needles Mine, Middle Fork Davis Creek Mine, Pink Lady Mine.
- Select link for mine specific travel or vehicle requirement information. Select obsidian map link for a map with the locations of all the mines and including highlighted routes.
Free Use Authorizations are available at:
- Supervisor's Office - 225 West 8th Street Alturas, CA 96101
Obsidian collecting is prohibited in all areas other than the four collection areas listed above, including Glass Mountain which is designated a geologic special interest area.
- The Medicine Lake area contains features of special geologic interest and provides outstanding viewing of volcanic features. Collecting is prohibited.
- Public law prohibits the collection of archaeological or historical artifacts. An artifact is defined as any object found on the National Forest that shows any sign of having been worked by a person.
- The Highgrade Historic Mining District is almost entirely under claim to individuals or companies that precludes public mineral collection.