Looking Glass Rock
Utah
Find: Agates (vibrant red/orange/purple/yellow chalcedony)
GPS: 38.25504, -109.38153
Nearest city: Moab, UT
Recommended Vehicle: Any
Summary:
These coordinates will lead you to an area called the Joe Wilson Wash. If you’re visiting the West for the first time, a wash is essentially a dry riverbed. Some of the washes near the arches of Moab, Utah have some beautiful pieces of chalcedony to be found. If you look around for long enough, you may find some with fortification banding that are true agates.
The coordinates themselves lead to you to a parking area but there is public land to be explored in virtually every direction. If you have a 4x4 vehicle, I’d highly recommend getting a little further off the beaten path to explore another location closer to Looking Glass Rock for some better pieces than you’re likely to find near the main highway here.
3 Helpful Tools
Hiking Boots
The more you walk in a place like this, the more you’ll find. Prepare to do a little climbing over uneven terrain if you explore the area.
Hiking Backpack
A small hiking backpack is my go-to for exploring and prospecting new areas.
Water Bladder
A water bladder is great in a place like Utah. If you’re not from an arid place, you’ll be stunned how much water you drink out here.