CompuServe Messages

Doug, It is an alkaline granite with a lot of zirconium in it along with some REE making it a wonderful breeding ground for some uncommon and rare minerals–zektzerite-okanoganite-calciohilairet (type locality for these 3), gagarinite, kainosite, gadolinite, basnaesite, pyrochlore, and others. Strangely, the zektzerite, which forms very fine euhedral crystals in miarolitic cavities (up to 3.8 cm) also occurs as grains in the rock. When you find an area that has zektzerite crystals, the rock around it typically is loaded. The alkaline phase of the granite is restricted to several high elevation spots, but collecting in situ has been nearly useless (even for mountain climbers) nearly all collecting is done in boulders in three main talus slopes and a few obscure spots. Most people (obviously not interested in nasty climbs in steep talus or cliffs–not quite requiring gear) do their collecting along the highway in the talus. I've found my best zektzerite (to 1.5 cm) by hiking across country into some really steep country and checking out the boulders there. I've found very little zektzerite in the roadside talus but have seen some very nice specimens collected by others just a few feet from their car! Lanny