Grimes Point/Hidden Cave Archeological Site Fallon, NV

On May 13, 2023 a few people from the environmental club at work organized a hike to Grimes Point/Hidden Cave Archeological Site just east of Fallon, NV. I’d say around 12 of my coworkers and their family came out for the event which was nice. I went there to enjoy the hike to the Hidden Cave that’s only opened a few times a month with he BLM museum in Fallon, while I had hopes of having time to rockhound some Wonderstone while I was there.

The hike was a good one, though. I can definitely tell it’s been a while since I’ve hiked like this. I’ve come to the conclusion that I do need to get a hiking stick or some sort of hiking apparatus to help me go down hill, cause this girls legs were jelly by the time I got to the bottom. I’m normally ok with steps but when they’re at least a foot down on each step, that’s not as easy as they used to be.

The hike was lead by an archeologist who told us about the history of the area and the relation it has to the Native American people. We learned about the petroglyphs that have been found in the area and the rough age of them.

Funny part to me is that each time I’ve gone to this area to find Wonderstone, I ended up on Green Mountain. While I did find some interesting pink and green Rhyolite, I never found Wonderstone. Now I know why. Basically, I kept turning right at one point rather than left.

This time I was following a coworker, Morgan who knew where he was going, and yup I was like “Seriously, this is where I go… duh” and now I probably will never forget. A car with couple of people followed us and all of us ended up having a blast looking around and finding some beautiful pieces. I was on the look out for interesting pieces that could be tumbled, cut into slabs, and ones with the potential to be stunning cabochons.

I filled my 5-gallon bucket, which was the goal. I grabbed bigger and smaller rocks alike so long as they had interest to me. I’m glad I brought along a few extra rock hammers and a bucket since I loaned them out to the others who followed along. Here are a few of the ones that stood out to me as so pretty. The last picture I’m imaging as a possible cabochon.

When I go out this way next, I know where to go and to bring an extra bucket. I enjoyed seeing all the colors of the Wonderstone and wish I could have taken more home… next time! I have some of what I found in one of my rock tumblers now on stage one. I can’t wait to see the results of them!

I am hoping to get back out there this fall when the weather isn’t as warm. Let me know what you think and if you’d want to go out rockhounding with me. If you’re not local, where would you suggest for me to rock hound if I were visiting?