SDMG Field Trip 2014: Aguanga Mts (garnet)
by Forrest Nelson, SDMG field trip leader
The weather was nice and cool to start the morning on Aguanga Mountain. Thirteen participants joined the field trip to collect garnet and pegmatite minerals. The seasonal access road, Palomar Divide 9S07, is steep and narrow and often only one lane to our Half Way Point Road turn-off. Fortunately, our caravan of vehicles didn't encounter any downhill traffic along this very scenic route up the mountain. The divide road continues its rocky and rutted route 6+ more miles to Deer Flats, Oak Grove Road, Sourdough Spring and then the High Point Lookout at 6142 feet. Unfortunately, public access terminates at the Palomar Observatory property line, where there is a permanently locked gated. It is possible to return to SR79 by continuing north on the Oak Grove Road, 9S09 at Deer Flats.
We warmed up from our hike and crashing uphill through the brush. The collecting of garnets in matrix and finding loose crystals was fun for all. After packs and buckets were filled up with samples the collectors hauled their rocks back to the vehicles for lunch. The group then broke up, with some members traveling home and others venturing back to prospect on the mountain.
Some highlights from the Aguanga Mountain Field Trip
(Hover over image to pause slide show; hover out to continue)