The Gem and Mineral Society of Lynchburg, Va. Inc. is proud to host this month’s DMC Field Trip to one of the most productive Quarries in central Virginia.

Some of the more common minerals to collect will be white and pink Calcite, Feldspar, Quartz, Ilmenite, Epidote, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite and Bornite. Some of the more elusive are Malachite, Sphene and Stilbite.

GATHERING TIME:    7:00 to 7:30 AM EDT.  The Quarry is 10 minutes from the meeting area but you will need sufficient time to read the required Boxley Hazard Training information, fill out and sign the Hazard Training Certificate and sign the required Boxley release form. There will also be a brief review of the safety regulations. This must be completed before we convoy to the Quarry arriving at 8:00 AM.

LOCATION:    Lynchburg, Virginia is centrally located in the State. We are not served directly by any Interstate but US Routes 29, 460 and 501 all connect here. I-81 traffic from the South can connect with US 460 at exit 150 (Cloverdale) and use Alternate SR 220 to connect with US 460 East to Bedford and Lynchburg. Stay on the US 460 East bypass around the two cites  to the US 501 South (Campbell Ave.) interchange on Lynchburg’s East side. Stay on US 460 East to the meeting place.
I-64 traffic can connect with U.S. 29 South at Charlottesville.  Continue south on US 29 to Lynchburg, crossing the James River and take the U.S. 501 South (Campbell Ave.) exit. Continue on 501 South to the U.S. 460 East interchange and exit on US 460 East to the meeting place.  Those approaching from other routes should be directed by a Virginia road map. The interchange is clearly marked.

MEETING PLACE:    This is located on US 460 East on the East side of Lynchburg. From the US 501 (Campbell Ave.) / US 460 interchange, continue on US 460 East exactly 1.8 miles. There will be a traffic light and a big Shell Station / Convenience Store on your LEFT (North Side) with a very large vacant lot behind the station.  We will all meet at this lot between 7 and 7:30 AM.

EQUIPMENT:   The Boxley Quarries are very safety conscious. Standard quarry gear is required. Hard hats, steel toe boots or other substantial boots and safety glasses. Good protective clothing and gloves should be worn (no shorts). It may be very hot in the quarry so be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen. Bring your own collecting equipment such as hammers, chisels and buckets. We will be allowed to drive into the quarry.

AGE LIMIT:     Children of all ages will be allowed but it will be the parents responsibility to keep them under control at all times and see that they obey all the safety requirements. The same dress requirements apply. Pets will be allowed only if they are under total control and will not be allowed to roam free. 

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:   The Gem and Mineral Society of Lynchburg would like to offer some additional functions for our friends in the DMC. We are planning a Saturday afternoon to early evening get together for relaxing, fellowship, picnic and rock swap. Details will be available Saturday morning at the meeting place. Please RSVP if possible so that we may know how to plan. Be sure to bring some swap material from your area or your surplus.

SUNDAY BONUS FIELD TRIP:     For those who will be staying over we will have a bonus Sunday morning field trip to Bargers Quarry in Lexington, Va. This quarry is noted for nice Calcite, Pyrite, Quartz, and Purple Fluorite,  Since this is an operating quarry the same standard quarry safety equipment will apply. Releases will need to be signed.
Lexington is about 1 ½ hours north of Lynchburg but it is on I-81 and very close to I-64. The meeting time and place will be available at the meeting place Saturday morning.