Experience one of Haliburton Highlands’ most rewarding public mineral collecting destinations to find beautiful crystal specimens and colourful gemstones in the rough. We will visit the Schickler Occurrence for gemmy purple fluorite. There will be a short hike into the site, and lots of time for collecting. This is a collecting trip, and you will get dirty. Please dress accordingly – no open toed shoes. Please also bring gardening or work gloves, safety glasses, a trowel or other small digging implement(s), some old newspaper to wrap your samples, and sturdy bag or bucket to carry them in. And if you have them, a rock pick or bricklayer’s hammer (a regular carpenter’s hammer is not suitable for breaking rock), cold chisel (intended for masonry work), an old screwdriver or wooden chopsticks to get into small crevices and pry bar. A limited selection of basic tools will be available, but please bring what you can (if you can) to ensure there is enough for everyone. Suitable for adults, teens and children. No dogs please.
HIKE #: 67
DATE: Friday, September 20
START TIME: 1:00 pm
DURATION: 3 hours, 2km
LOCATION: Tourist Information Centre (Curling Club) 2249 Loop Rd.
RATING: Easy (with a couple of steep climbs)
MAXIMUM # 12
AMENITIES: Parking
LEADER: Mark Bramham
LEADER BIO: Mark Bramham and his wife, Sandra are owners of Greenmantle Farm and offer guided mineral tours. They also have a maple syrup operation called Esson Creek Maple. They are retired educators with a passion for the land. The minerals are located on their property. Mark is a certified hike leader (Hike Ontario).
DIRECTIONS: From Haliburton, take Hwy 118 east, approximately 19km to the Essonville Line (County Rd 4). Turn left and follow the Essonville Line to the “T” intersection of Loop Rd. (County Rd 648). Just before the intersection you will see the curling club and Fire Hall. Meet in the parking lot between these two buildings. The distance from Haliburton is approximately 28 km. From Minden turn right onto County Rd 21 to Haliburton,approximately 24 km. Turn right on Maple Street at the lights in the center of the village (CIBC on the left). Maple Street is also Hwy 118. Follow Hwy 118, approximately 19 km, to Essonville Line (County Rd 4). Turn left and follow the Essonville Line to the intersection of Loop Rd (County Rd 648) and follow the directions above. GPS coordinates: N 45.0365, W 78.2228
- Hidden Gems
Friday, September 20, 2019
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm