SHELLROCK MOUNTAIN, HOOD RIVER COUNTY, OREGON
BILL TOMPKINS
BillTompkinscccc@comcast.net
Situated beside the I-84 freeway in the scenic Columbia River Gorge, Shellrock Mountain offers dedicated collectors an unusual suite of minerals. It is the only place that I know of where diopside can be collected. The amethyst crystals are the prize, but the zeolites are also lovely. And some of the calcite also fluoresces. A few pieces will have tiny pyrites, making a nice contrast.
While most of the pieces from Shellrock Mountain will be thumbnail sized or smaller, occasionally larger pieces are possible. It is common to find three or more different minerals on the same piece. Very nice micromount material.
Directions
Take Interstate I-84 east from Portland, Oregon to milepost 54, which is between Cascade Locks and Hood River. That was easy!!
Parking is a problem right at the site, so we suggest stopping just before the site at the start of a railing and walking along the old highway to the site. Or, if you miss that parking spot, you can park just past the site and walk back. But since the best collecting is near the west end, in the ravine, we suggest stopping before the site to park.
When it comes time to leave, drive east a few miles to the Viento exit. That is the first place where you can turn around to head back west, towards Portland.
Minerals
Pyrite - small cubes under 5mm, uncommon
Diopside - white hairs that resemble zeolites, rare
Quartz - clear or pale amethyst, common in some boulders absent in others, under 1"
Calcite - white thin plates commonly covered with zeolites, fluorescent, nice
Heulandite - small, coffin-shaped, under 8mm, clear
Stilbite - flat-topped variety epidesmine, under 10mm, clear, common, nice
Chabazite - clear, pseudo-cubes, usually internally cracked, common, nice
Closing
Shellrock Mountain is one of my favorite places, even though the crystals are usually small, for several reasons: first, it's close to home (usually 45 minutes); second, the drive is beautiful through the Columbia River Gorge; third the site is open 11 1/2 months of the year; fourth, this collecting site is on the way to lots of other places; and fifth, we always find something interesting here. Especially with a microscope.
My kids like it, I like it, it's a fairly safe place to collect, it's fairly close, it's a sure bet you'll find something, it's scenic, ...... We like it!!!
