Chuckwalla Fire Agate Beds

California

Find: Fire agates, chalcedony, Hauser Geodes (thundereggs), and giant spiders

GPS: 33.44937, -114.89322

Nearest city: San Diego, CA

Summary:

I had heard there were fire agates/chalcedony in the area from some reddit posts about the nearby Wiley’s Well campground. I ended up stumbling across a hotspot of them while setting up camp out here. I imagine there even better ones than I found, as I only searched about a 1 mile zone.

Oh… and the tarantulas. Apparently very large spiders call this area home as well. I actually heard it before seeing it, which is a first for me when it comes to spiders. With that said, you probably won’t catch me tent camping here.

You will want at least an AWD SUV or a truck to get out here, especially if you plan on going further SW to the Hauser Geode Beds. The road transitions from a sandy gravel to rougher stone road slightly after you hit the Wiley’s Well Campground area, which is roughly where I’ve dropped the map pin.

 

Video Guide

Check out the video for a better look at what can be found when exploring this spot.

This one ended up having actual "fire" in it on the right side. I will get some better pics up eventually.

This one ended up having actual "fire" in it on the right side. I will get some better pics up eventually.

Even the agates without true fire in them had some truly amazing patterning and coloration.

Even the agates without true fire in them had some truly amazing patterning and coloration.

Since you didn't ask, here's proof of the gigantic spiders.

Since you didn't ask, here's proof of the gigantic spiders.

These are what I was targeting, hoping that the deep red portions had an iridescent green shine to them. This is called 'chatoyancy' which this agate is lacking, so most wouldn't call this one a true fire agate.

These are what I was targeting, hoping that the deep red portions had an iridescent green shine to them. This is called 'chatoyancy' which this agate is lacking, so most wouldn't call this one a true fire agate.

A fantastic agate, with some really great swirls and twists to it.

A fantastic agate, with some really great swirls and twists to it.

This is a fragment of a Hauser Geode. I found about 4-5 pieces of these like this, even though I wasn't directly on the nearby Hauser Geode Beds.

This is a fragment of a Hauser Geode. I found about 4-5 pieces of these like this, even though I wasn't directly on the nearby Hauser Geode Beds.

This is botryoidal chalcedony, with a lot in common with a toasted marshmallow.

This is botryoidal chalcedony, with a lot in common with a toasted marshmallow.

I don't know if tarantulas live in holes like this, but I didn't feel like finding out.

I don't know if tarantulas live in holes like this, but I didn't feel like finding out.

Here's what the sandy drive in looks like. The road here was very washboarded when I was here.

Here's what the sandy drive in looks like. The road here was very washboarded when I was here.

This spot had one of the most unforgettable sunsets I came across in the West.

This spot had one of the most unforgettable sunsets I came across in the West.