Children allowed only under close adult supervision. 
Small pets on a leash are allowed. 
The collecting is free. 
All attendees will be required to sign a release form. 

 This site was voted one of the favorites in a poll of our club members a few years ago.  We have usually been able to find plentiful quartz crystals in the overburden within a few feet of the surface here.  The crystals are believed to be derived from a quartzite layer on top of the limestone, which is actively mined for gravel.  The crystals are terminated on at least one end and are often intertwined with each other in densely packed clusters.  Other minerals may occur in very small quantities. 

Special Conditions: This site contains an active quarry with high vertical walls and attendant hazards.  We will not be digging in the quarry so please do not approach the quarry pit walls from either the top or bottom.  This is especially important for the children.  Also, the area where we will be digging is surrounded by woods and mountainous terrain.  A lost person can stray ‘forever’; stay in touch with the group. 

Bring: Appropriate attire for the weather and walking through underbrush; food and drink, collecting container, shovel or small digging tool; screens are optional. 

Directions: Follow I-40 East from Asheville.  Take exit 72 to Old Fort (US 70 East).  Follow US 70 for about 11 miles.  At the intersection of US 221 and US 70, a Wal-Mart is on the left.  We will meet in the Wal-Mart parking lot near Wendy’s. We will leave there at 9:45 AM and convoy to the site. 

It was a beautiful spring day on April 21st as people from far and wide gathered at the meeting place to go to Woodlawn.  This was the first DMC field trip sponsored by S.A.M.S. and it was gratifying to meet rockhounds from clubs in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.  Thirty-three people arrived in seventeen vehicles and after looking at some samples from previous visits (Thank you, Lowell), we proceeded to the collecting site.

It wasn't long before almost everyone was uncovering the quartz crystals, some small and some large.  It was interesting talking to the various attendees, including the lady who was particularly interested in the small crystals for her craft work.  Two of the pits yielded pockets of large clear crystals at 3' to 4' below the surface.  In general, there seemed to be a high level of enjoyment with the site and the finds.

I wish to thank all those who attended for their cooperation in staying away from the quarry and for leaving the site clean.  I hope everyone enjoyed their visit.

Joe Enderle
Field Trip Chairman
Southern Appalachian Mineral Society (Asheville, NC)