DMC/FIELD TRIP COMMITTEE
FIELD TRIP FOR NOVEMBER 2002 

First Site:

9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday, November, 16th, 2002
Woodlawn Quarry, Marion, NC
McDowell County

Minerals: Quartz crystals, possibly others in small quantities

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 has been a favorite of our club members for a number of years and was the site of our DMC visit last year.  Most of those participating found plentiful quartz crystals in the overburden within a few feet of the surface.  Two very fine large clusters were uncovered.  The crystals are believed to be derived from a quartzite layer on top of the limestone (a reversal of original positions due to folding), 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.  Travel time about one hour from Asheville. We will leave there at 9:45 AM and convoy to the site.

Second Site:
 

Minerals:   Marble, talc, calcite (in seams) and other minerals

Bring: Hammer, small pick, large collecting container, food and drink

Directions:  From Asheville, follow I-40 west to exit 27.  Follow US 74 west (toward Clyde and Sylva) staying on 74 until it joins US 19.  Follow US 74/19 to the Nantahala Outdoor Center at the northeast end of the gorge.  There is a restaurant in the complex for early birds to have breakfast or a coffee break; the food has been good in the past.  Because of limited parking there however, we will meet as a group at Ferebee Memorial Park on US 19/74, about 10 minutes west of the Outdoor Center.

It takes about an hour and 45 minutes from Asheville to the Outdoor Center and another 10 minutes to the park.  Let's meet no later than 09:45.  We must leave the quarry by 2:00 PM.

This site is an active quarry, in the Murphy Marble Belt, with vertical walls several hundred feet high.  Our objective here is to collect some nice minerals, learn something about the geology of the area, enjoy the outing
with our friends, and return home safely.  PLEASE BE CAREFUL!  Avoid the base of the high walls and unstable areas.