CGMC/OGMS/VGMS Field Trip 2015: Jade Cove, Big Sur
Jade Cove. Photo: Julie Ryan.
(click image to see enlarged view)
Dates: Sun through Tue, October 18–20, 2015
Potluck Dinner: Mon, October 19, 2015, 6pm
Sponsors:
Conejo Gem & Mineral Society (CGMC)
Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society (OGMS)
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society (VGMS)
Organizer:
Robert Sankovich, Co-op-clubs, CGMC, OGMCS, VGMS
(This is not a SDMG-sponsored field trip)
Contact:
Robert Sankovich,805-494-7734
or rmsorca@roadrunner.com
Chuck Borchart, 805-551-9946
or borchartcme@gmail.com
Our October field trip will be to Jade Cove, south of Big Sur. We will be looking for Nephrite Jade. It can be found along the shoreline. You can come up for the day or join us camping over night. Deb and Robert will be there Sunday October 18th to Tuesday 20th. Day use free by side of road, camping $25.00 each day. No electric hookups. Campsites all are assigned reserve your campsite. See contact information above. Eight persons per site. Each site has a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Flush toilet restrooms and water nearby.
Please let club organizer/contacts know if you are going on the field trip. If they don't know you are coming, they won't be able to advise about changes or cancellation due to weather. Even if you might not go, contact them for information and maps, and do not wait until the day before – sometimes the organizers leave days before the field trip actually begins, so they won't be able to reply to your messages.
Campground rules have changed, so be sure to read all the information. Plaskett Creek and Kirk Creek campgrounds are not first come, first serve. You will need to reserve a site now. if you are not able to reserve a site, try another site. Robert Sankovich will be at Plaskett Creek Campground #033. Kirk Creek Campground is about 6 miles north of Plaskett Creek Campground, Jade Cove. If you don't want to camp you can stay at San Simeon there are campgrounds, hotels and B&B's. San Simeon is 30 miles south of Jade Cove/ Plaskett Creek Campground.
Material: Nephrite Jade, which can be found along the shoreline. Serpentine, Actinolite, Soapstone and Abalone shells.
Tools: Collecting bags, buckets, day pack, digging tools, rock pick, pry bar, eye protection, trowels, hand rake, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, rubber boots or old tennis shoes, layered clothing, towels, change of clothes/shoes in case you get wet. Drinking water, lunch or snacks, camping gear, if you plan on spending the night. (The main tools to use are simple garden tools, a hand trowel and hand rake.)
Meeting: Sunday/Monday/Tuesday 9am–4pm. Meet at Robert's campsite #033. You must sign a release form to participate in the field trip. There will be a short briefing of the collecting sites at Jade Cove, Sand Dollar Beach and Willow Creek.
Departing from Plaskett Creek Campground, the group will caravan south on Hwy 1 about half a mile to a long pull-out on right side (west), where there is an entrance to Jade Cove. Use the stairs to climb over the fence and walk approximately 150 yards across a grassy area to a switchback leading down to the cove, approximately 100 yards. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes. The bottom of the trail may be washed out, so take your time. Walk over the bigger rocks at the basin to the center of the cove where there is a small beach. Jade can be found amongst the other rocks in the surf along the shore. Be careful and aware when collecting close to the surf zone.
Willow Creek is 2 miles south of Jade Cove. There is a road down to the shore.
Sand Dollar Beach is 1/2 mile north of Jade Cove. There are steps down to the shore.
Directions: From Ventura travel north on Freeway 101. At San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north, heading towards the coast to Morro Bay; continue on Hwy 1 north approximately 60 miles from Morro Bay to Plaskett Creek Campground. The campground is on right side (east). Look for a CGMC/OGMS/VGMS sign next to the sign by the campground entrance or by Robert's campsite #033. Approximately 235 miles from Thousand Oaks, 3.5–4 hours drive time.
Cost: Camping $25.00 per day, reservations required; Day Use is free of charge by the side of the road.
Campground Reservations: Campsites all are assigned — they are no longer available on first-come, first-served basis, so make reservations ahead of time. Plaskett Creek Campground reservations or Kirk Creek Campground reservations.
Campgrounds & Facilities: No electric hookups. Eight persons per site. Each site has a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Flush toilet restrooms and water nearby.
California Campfire Permit: download CA permit/instructions.
More Info & Useful Links
A Guide to California's Big Sur - Jade Cove
Plaskett Creek Campground (USDA Forest Service)
A Guide to California's Big Sur - Kirk Creek Campground
Kirk Creek (scroll down the page about half way)
California Diving News - Jade Cove
Yelp - San Simeon State Park & Campground Cambria
Trip Advisor - San Simeon Hotels & Motels
Collecting areas at Jade Cove, Sand Dollar Beach and Willow Beach.
