Tonapah Turquoise Trip

We originally went to this same area last April with Lake Havasu Gem, and Mineral Society Vice President Elley Ringo Chain. She also created some awesome videos on Youtube, if you would like to see them, visit Elley Knows Rocks, and dont forget to subscribe
to her page. This was an incredible adventure, and was well put together by Elley. She also created most of this post. You can also visit the Ottesons website:

https://www.ottesonbrothersturquoise.com

You can also visit Elleys website:

https://elleyknowsrocks.com

BRING CASH

We are scheduled for April 24th, Montezuma Royston, morning tour ($150 per person) or all day ($250 per person, this gives you a discount). April 25th , Easter Blue (same prices). The Ottesons (Mine Owners) are accepting cash payments only at this time due
upon arrival for your tour. You are required to have your own transportation to and from both mines. The Montezuma Royston mine is 26 miles outside of Tonopah, 5 miles of dirt roads and Easter Blue is 30 miles outside of Tonopah, 12 miles of dirt roads.

  Please bring a 5 gallon plastic bucket (these are sturdy enough for the heavy materials and seem to stay put while you are digging reducing the chances of your turquoise toppling down the side of the hill), hand rake and hand pick/hammer for each person.

Also, if you’d like, hand pump sprayers or spray bottles for water will help you see the turquoise easier as you dig through the tailings. Keep in mind that you will be supplying your own water.

 Our tour begins at 8:00 am, meeting your tour guides, in the front parking area of the giggle springs gas station 182 N. Main Street Tonopah Nevada 89049. Here you can buy your gas, food and water as the mine owners do not supply these things

Keep what you find.

Easter Blue Mine and Royston Mine – half day each: Easter Blue Mine -Aqua Blue Ribbon, nuggets, Wall Mining, Pit mining along with plenty of surface picking This is at the top of a hill

accessed by a very narrow and steep road. Royston Mine- Probably one of the most well-known of the Otteson mines, this mine has some of the highest-grade blue to green and two-toned blue green turquoise with dark brown to gold colored matrix.

If you want while you are down there, you could also visit Gemfield

outside of Goldfield NV

Gemfield is $1 per pound for all minerals.

This is one of the BEST Chalcedony claims in the World. You can find blue greens, to purply oranges, deep reds and blacks, along with white opal-like minerals. Lots of patterns including banding, bulls’ eye, and spots. There are 6 plus sites that you can easily
drive to along the roads. You pay at the end, by weighing your rocks at the picnic table, $1 per pound. This is the honor system, You can pay cash in the box or PayPal.

And possible trilobites over the hill.

Directions

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qJeVgqCw69sBMCA36

here is a link to google maps

This area is easy to find and about 3.5 miles off the highway. Go 23 miles from the Raley’s Grocery store to the Gemfield road, turn right, drive on the main road heading West about 3.5 miles stop

when you see a tree with a sign and a picnic bench, from here you can grab a flyer about the area, and head to the spot you want to dig first. Bring 5 gal bucket for each mine as a minimum, spray bottle with water, rock pick, rock hammer, hand trowel, small
power tools, safety glasses, work gloves, hat, water, snacks, sun block, sun umbrella, extra bags for rocks, and whatever will help you have a comfortable stay.

Other things to do on your own

Goldfield

International Car Forest – Bring your spray paint and make your mark on this eclectic batch of brightly colored vehicles on the outskirts of Goldfield.

Several shops to visit featuring antiques, rocks, bottles, jewelry, etc.

The Hidden Treasure Trading Company, 489 Belle Vue is only open on Saturday and Sunday, and

features lots of local rocks. They have mining supplies and a saw for slabbing rocks, $1-$2 per slab.

Treasure Trading post

Enigmata Jewelry and crystals

Goldfield Wild Inspirations – Samples of Gemfield rock for sale, mining equipment and lots of interesting things. The owner of this store is also the owner of Gemfield.

Tonopah

– The Tonopah Mining Museum and Tour – Book a tour on the Polaris, which seats up to 5, and take an on and off ride and walk tour of the location. The cost is $9 per person and a great tour with lots of information. Site of one of the original silver mines.

Old Tonopah Cemetery – You can pick up a brochure and also read the headstones to learn about past and passed residents.

Tonopah Brewing Company – House brewed beers and BBQ

Clown Motel – Creepy, but unique. Check out the lobby.

Many local shops

Food:

Tonopah has one grocery store, Raleys, and several gas and convenience stores.

If you don’t mind the smoke, there are several restaurants located inside the 3 -4 casinos.

Strawberry Hill Dinner is a great place for breakfast and lunch

El Marques Mexican Restaurant

Hometown Pizza

Bamboo Chinese Kitchen (casino)

Stage Stop Café – (casino)

Tonopah Station (casino)

Burger King

A&W (casino)

Subway

Pittman Café inside the Mizpeh Hotel, also a separate restaurant for dinner

Beans & Brews Coffeehouse

Where to Stay:

Tonopah Station Hotel Casino and RV Park 1137 Erie Street 775-482-9777

Travel Inn 720 N Main Street 775-482-8202

Mizpah Hotel 100 N Main Street 775-482-3030

Belvada Hotel 101 S Main St 775-277-3950

Best Western Hi-Desert Inn 320 Main Street 775-482-3511

Comfort Inn 890 Main Street 775-482-8883

Jim Butler Inn & Suites 100 S Main 800-635-9455

The World Famous Clown Motel 521 N Main Street 775-624-9098

Economy Inn 826 S Main Street 775-482-6238

Old Brewery Hostel 102 Mineral Street 775-482-3030

Ramada-Tonopah Sta RV Park ($?) reviews are not good 1137 US-95 775-482-6655

Tonopah Hospitality & RV 775-482-1700 or TonopahRV@gmail.com. These are mobile homes, 2

bedrooms and a living room or 3 bedrooms with a full kitchen, pots, pans, plates, silverware, microwave, stove, refrigerator, coffee maker with pods available, bathroom, central air and heat.

They may be booked for April, but there are 2 ea 2-bedroom units available on

Airbnb.com

American Quality Suites. NO PETS in the hotel. Pets ok in the RV park. NOTE – This may be booked up by mining companies doing long term bookings

Nearest Hospital:

Nye Regional Medical Center is located at 825 South Main Street, Tonopah, NV 89049

Phone number is (775) 482-6233.

Remember to have fun!