1 or 2 Day Titanite Hill and CN Rock Pile Field Trip

Note change in plans to allow those only interested in a 1-day trip to Titanite Hill. Many members have already visited the CN Rock Pile so we have now scheduled Titanite Hill on Monday.

Located about 25 minutes from Bancroft, Titanite Hill is part of the same local geology as the famous, now closed to the public: Bear Lake Diggings which produced many fine specimens of amphibole and apatite crystals plus others.

Monday: Titanite Hill

On the first day, we will meet at the Mineral Museum in downtown Bancroft at 10:00 am., then proceed to the town of Tory Hill (about 30 minutes) which is close to Titanite Hill.

Titanite Hill has produced wonderful specimens of not only amphiboles and fluoroapatite but also titanite, biotite, feldspar, rare fluoro-richterite, quartz, calcite, and others.

Titanite Hill parking is down a small road from Tory Hill village with limited spaces so car pooling is advised. Digging, following calcite veins, can be done at the bottom of the hill or on the hill but realize past rockhounds have already removed many specimens; however good finds are still happening. The best opportunities for better specimens is now at the top which requires a fairly strenuous uphill climb (no paths so no wagons). Recommended tools are hand rake and trowel to extend past digging. A shovel to remove the surface soil in new digging areas would be very helpful. Even a soil sifter is handy to find smaller specimens caught in the soil.

Bring a lunch and drinks.

Tuesday: CN Rock Pile and Other Exploration Options

Mineral at the CN Rock Pile are very different than Titanite Hill. The rock came from the Golding-Keene Quarry and contains a wide variety including: nepheline, albite, peristerite, biotite, cancrinite (fluorescent), zircons, graphite, plagioclase feldspar, sodalite, hackmanite (fluorescent) and others.

We will meet at 10:00 am at entrance to the CN Rock Pile (Across the street from the Mineral Museum). Parking is right next to the CN Rock Pile so it is very easy to start finding minerals. Since the top of the CN Rock Pile has been picked over, digging down a little will produce better specimens. A couple of hours at the Rock Pile allows members to get to visit the Museum and two mineral stores: Lakeside Gems and Sodalite Mine (with its Rock Farm). It is fun to visit the CN Rock Pile after dark to see the fluorescent minerals glowing under UV lights (recommended 365 nm).

Note: You are free to return to Titanite Hill if you would like on Day 2.

There are two motels in town that are reasonably priced if staying for the two days.