Kate I would like to help you because of your enthusiasm for your first rockhounding trip but I am not finding much as my books in those areas are rather limited. My first thought was that an Apache tear location would be ideal for you, but I couldn't find any Apache tear locations on your route. Maybe someone could jump in here and help.

Maybe you could take some extra time and go to the area around Delta Utah which is not too far away from Zion, to collect topaz at Topaz Mountain and trilobite fossils also near Delta. There is also substantial amounts of quality obsidian north of Milford. you could also go to the Dugway geode beds and collect some great geodes. There is also some nice agate near Topaz Mountain. If you can spare the time, I think you should go to Delta and go to the rock shops there and ask them for help and directions to some to locations I have mentioned and perhaps some others of which I am not aware. The people in Delta are very friendly toward rockhounds and I am sure can help make your first rockhounding trip a pleasurable one for yourself and your significant other.

From jay bates - October 17, 2009 at 11:22:21

Message: 68439