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FIELD TRIP
ROWLEY MINE
(WULFENITE, MIMETITE,
CHRYSOCOLLA & COPPER MINERALS)
Saturday, February 21, 2026
CHRYSOCOLLA (polished)
Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.
Russ Kaniuth Photo.
MATERIAL: Material is all over the ground (float), but there is also some available to dig up. For the most part, you will find chrysocolla, mimetite, barite, wulfenite, galena and many other minerals as well. Ed Davis will make sure there is plenty of material on the dump. Miners will most likely have material for sale. Bring extra cash.
TRIP LEADER: Bill Freese
LEADER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2019 Gray Toyota Tacoma
LEADER CONTACTC INFO: (602) 568-6843
CARPOOLS BEING ORGANIZED: No
TRIP DATE: Saturday, February 21, 2026
MEET-UP LOCATION ADDRESS: Gila Bend, AZ area. Members must register to receive Location Address.
MEET-UP TIME: 9:00 AM
DEPARTURE TIME: 9:45 AM sharp or once all members have shown up if before departure time.
SPECIAL DEPARTURE NOTES: As a courtesy for group who arrive on time, Trip Leader not waiting for stragglers past Departure Time.
HOW LONG WILL TRIP LAST (END TIME): Around 2:00PM.
RSVP DEADLINE: Thursday, February 19, 2026
FEE's:
- $30 Cash per person (collected at the mine gate)
- Kids Under 18 years are Free
- Bring Extra Cash for minerals & materials miners may have for sale.
RATE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP (1-10):
• Collecting on surface dumps is rated moderate (3-5).
AGE & PETS:
- Kids 10+ okay.
- Pets must be kept nearby. Mine has domesticated foxes onsite and they don't want foxes' hurt.
TRAVEL NOTE:
• Check Arizona highway condition website: https://www.az511.gov/ to verify road conditions & closure to plan your route.
• Please allow at least 1/2 hour more time than normal to get to the meeting spot.
• Although the road to the mine is straightforward, it is often the trip leader’s courtesy to stay behind or assign someone to stay behind to meet stragglers. Being late is not socially acceptable behavior. Plan ahead and be on time or early.
TRIP DETAILS:
Rowley Mine was discovered in 1900 and until recently, was closed to the public. Rowley is famous for wulfenite and mimetite, but there are many other minerals to collect. Mindat.org shows Rowley has (92) valid mineral species and (13) Type Locality minerals. MSA's Phoenix Heritage Mineral Show is Mindat Page Sponsor for the Rowley Mine. You should be able to find at least a couple of those!
• MSA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
• COUPLE MEMBERSHIP MUST REGISTER SEPARATELY FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER UNDER YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
• Please wear MSA NAME BADGE if possible.
• Bring extra cash.
• We will hang out until everyone gets their fill, but plan to end the trip around 2:00 PM.
• Be on the look-out for critters like snakes.
VEHICLE:
• Most any car can make it to Rowley. Mid-Clearance recommended. Leave the Corvette at home.
TRIP PREPAREDNESS: Arrive with full tank of gas, good tires, and vehicle in good working order.
TOOLS NEEDED: Rock Pick Hammer, Chisels, Screw Drivers, Pry Bar, Sledgehammer, Large Shovel, Small Hand Shovel, Rake, Pick Axe, Hand-rake and collecting container/bucket.
ANCILLARY ITEMS NEEDED: Sunscreen, camp chair, durable hat, extra water, lunch & snacks, bug spray, first aid kit as well as all-purpose paper.
REQUIRED SAFETY (PPE) TO BRING: Safety glasses, gloves, long sleeve shirts, long pants, and sturdy boots.
TRIP CANCELLATION CLAUSE: Trip Leader can cancel the field trip due to low participation (under 5 members RSVP) or weather or road conditions.
IF (RSVP) YOU WILL GO, YOU MUST SHOW UP: If unable to go, you must contact Trip Leader as soon as possible, so group not held up waiting for a no show and allow members on stand-by list to attend trip.
OPTIONAL OVERIGHT OR DAY TRIP ON SATURDAY: Day Trip Only
LIABILTY WAIVER: Read and accept Liability Waiver when registering for trip and may also sign at meet-up site.
CHRYSOCOLLA (polished), 14"
Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.
Ed David Photo.
MIMETITE, WULFENITE on Barite, 2.5"
Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.
Ed Davis Photo.
CHRYSOCOLLA
Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.
Ed Davis Photo.
WULFENITE, MIMETITE on Barite, 3"
Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.
Chris Whitney-Smith Collection & Photo.