Overview

Hype:

In the region near Mount Carmel Junction, there are known occurrences of septarian nodules, which are concretions with internal, mineral-filled cracks (septaria) that make for eye-catching specimens. One of the best localities is in the Muddy Creek area west of Orderville. There are active mining claims in the area, so please request permission from the claim holders before collecting specimens.

Time:

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

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Location

Closest City or Region: Orderville, Utah

Coordinates: 37.288812, -112.683811

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Brochure

April 5, 2025 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Matt Laurendeau, Amanda Laurendeau, Alex Laurendeau, Caleb Laurendeau, Rose Laurendeau, Lila Laurendeau, Trey Laurendeau,

Story

After Belly of the Dragon, we wanted to dig for Septarian Nodules, but we didn't know where to go. The only info we could find on the internet said to go to Joe's Rock shop and ask them for permission. So that's what we did. They said they didn't have the mining claim anymore, but they gave us directions for where to go.

We were able to drive in our minivans to within a half mile of the quarry. We got out and walked the rest of the way and wandered around in the pit, not sure what we were doing. The rock shop had loaned us the three rock hammers, so we chipped away at the different rock faces looking for things. We didn't have much luck with that approach. We did find half a dozen broken open nodules by just wandering around and finding them on the ground though, so at least we didn't go home empty handed. The kids had a lot of fun.

Pictures