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April 26th - 28th, 2024

Official Field Trip of the
Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association

I have been in contact with Junior about the April 'Rock Swap and Dig' at the mountain. The mountain will be open to collecting from 8 am to 6 pm each day. All attendees must stop at the welcome table to sign a liability release and make a contribution/donation to help with the cost of providing porta johns and golf carts. The dig will end and everyone must be off the mountain by 6:00 p.m. each day.

There will be an area in the parking lot for vendors to sell and trade minerals. If you would like to set up a booth, contact Junior at the phone number listed below. Hot food and drinks will be available for purchase on the mountain all three days.

Graves Mountain Code of Conduct!

Park your vehicle in the designated area at the end of the paved access road.

ALL pets must be kept under control and on a leash.

The caretaker, Junior Norman has final and absolute say as to where you may safely work.

Ladders or power tools of any kind will not be allowed. (HAND TOOLS ONLY!)

STAY AWAY FROM ALL HIGH WALLS!

NO RAPPELLING OFF OF ANYTHING!

No one is allowed to drive their vehicle on any part of Graves Mountain beyond the parking area!
(The caretaker must accompany anyone driving beyond the parking area!)

Everyone needs to be off the mountain by 6:00 p.m. This means you need to be packing up by 5 or 5:30 to be off the mountain by 6pm.

Please protect our ability to field collect at Graves Mountain!
Report violations to:
Junior Norman
Norman C E Wrecking Co
3333 C E Norman Rd
Lincolnton, GA 30817-3110
706-401-3173
All reported violations will be held in strict confidence.

DIRECTIONS: From Washington Georgia, drive east 11 miles on SR-378, look for mine entrance on right. From the Hardees in Lincolnton, Georgia, drive approximately 5-1/2 miles west on SR-378. Look for the sign at the entrance to Graves Mountain on the left side of the road.

Motels and Camping:
Cullars Inn, Lincolnton, Georgia, 706-359-6161

Soap Creek Marina, Cabins and Camping. 706-359-4100. 3000 Soap Creek Lodge Road.

Elijah Clark State Park, 706-359-3458 / 800-864-7275

American Legion Camping: 1121 American Legion RD.
Lincolnton GA. 30817
Contact: Eric Kenerly, 727-710-0322, Text message preferred.

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Spring Fossil Field Trip
May 31 - June 2
Pipsico Scout Reservation
Surry County, Virginia

Miocene and Pliocene Fossils 

A field trip has been set up for the spring. The location is the same. Collecting will be Saturday. Campers may come in on Friday the 31st.

MAGMA members be sure to contact and join the Tidewater Gem and Mineral Society to attend, Kelley Finch, 757-630-6607

Afternoon arrivals may collect on the river. There are Cabinettes available with electricity but no running water. Tent camping is also allowed. Tents may be set up in campsite 4 and there are latrine facilities and water in the site. Showers may be available at the staff center. All overnight campers must exit the camp by 2 pm on June 2.

All previous collecting rules still apply:
No climbing of steep river bank areas.
No parking except in designated areas.
No parking on any grass areas.
No alcoholic beverages or small dogs allowed.
No cooking in the cabinettes.
Speed limit on camp road must be obeyed.

Fees - $10.00 per person to tent camp-includes collecting fee.
Cabinette rental-$25.00 for the weeknights, plus collecting fee.
One day collecting fee is $5.00 cash payments only.

Contact Bill Stine by email for further information;
rockdoctor48@wmconnect.com

The town of Surry now has an inn on route 10. It is called the Surry Country Inn for those not wanting to camp but traveling in. 757-210-4450

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