Collecting Obsidian in Utah

We went hunting obsidian near Milford, Utah. It turned out to be a great adventure. We found plenty of obsidian for making arrowheads and knives this winter. At least I plan to try.

[@feralwoodcraft]

Absolutely stunning country! thanks for bringing us along. That was a good haul and looked like a great daddy/daughter outing.

[@brucerivers6627]

Utah is a BEAUTIFUL state and great rockhounding . I’m from Texas and it’s a long drive but it is worth it . The mountains and country is unbelievably Beautiful .

[@jburr36]

That granite ridge is actually the magma chamber for a volcano.

[@MeNotBrainWashed]

"The enemy is at the gate!" LMAO

[@camalo171]

Thank you so much! I just took my scouts there and collected my a fair amount. that place is awesome. ive got enough to knapp for quite some time now

[@sdrowley2222]

camalo171 could you give grid coordinates of this place?

[@TJackSurvival]

Oh man you need to send me the grid coordinates for that. I'll make a trip!

[@denterrio3426]

I got some good stuff out that way too this summer. Happy knapping

[@CorpseBride64]

Oh my gosh, it's Obsidian heaven!

[@Scaryandknowledge]

I have a bunch,in case you wanna buy some.

[@heidijones580]

Obsidian is amazingly beautiful! I found a bunch of gorgeous pieces yesterday at a quarry where you were at, they are so colorful! I'm so excited to make things with them but idk what yet :-)

[@MerkWares]

very cool. I wish I had the equipment to polish a piece into a ball.

[@heidijones580]

@@MerkWares I've been looking up ways to polish them in my tumbler because my son wants to make them into beads, I think they could be shaped into balls with a tile saw if you just run it over the blade to shape it, I'm going to try that first and see what comes of it

[@acehavin7756]

when i found one i thought it was just glass til i examined it good & realized it's obsidian there was a dirt area full of rocks on the way to my school me & my friend john were always digging & searching for rocks here it was honestly an unexpected place to find such stones

[@prophotos365]

My father spent the last years of his life in Beaver Utah and we used to visit and go to Milford for chinese food at the old train depot many years ago nice country until it rains!

[@CynicalScorpio]

There is a stone path in my front yard, I've found pieces of obsidion there a few times

[@survivewithout]

WOW. Wish I had a resource like that near me

[@Scaryandknowledge]

I can help if you wanna buy some

[@niallwildwoode7373]

We dig our land for clay to build with, and pull out a piece of obsidian with every spadeful. Our 'geologist' friend insists that it can't be, despite there being no other alternatives (other than neolithic smelting slag) and there's the cores of three extinct volcanoes just down the valley. Your vid has pretty-much made our minds up. Thanks!

[@MerkWares]

Do you live near this area? I'm always searching for new deposits of obsidian.. I've also been collecting clay here and there for primitive pottery.

[@niallwildwoode7373]

MerkWares Lol....not quite. Cumbria, England to be precise.

[@jstarr7506]

crazy that stuff is just lying around like that

[@PaulStClair-nv8rp]

I saw your video and am also a beginner knapper. Ob gone out there a couple times but can't find the bigger nodules. Found little snowflake, mahogany and black but nothing big enough for me to practice with. The agate/chert here in Moab is too fractured and or tough for me to work. Can you help me with directions?

[@PrimitiveLifeways]

Ahh looks like the obsidian here. Very rare to find big core pieces. Good video though

[@ThugHunterfromIsrael]

That is hella obsidian, I usually mine in Arizona with a hammer and get like tiny pieces, the stuff you called tiny at the start is big for me lol

[@Pygar2]

Consider yourself fortunate- here in KY we have nothing but solid limestone about 6-8 inches down, mostly. Some areas it is several feet down... geologists and others call these rare spots "cemeteries"! Hoping for a metal Sprongs update soon! Also hope you wear eye protection when you knap that obsidian! Did you know that the very finest surgical scalpels are made of it?

[@Caintuckee64]

Cave Run Lake is a great place to find flint and chert, intersections around 801 have even been graveled with chunks of flint!

[@cliffowens3629]

Nothing in Florida either. Except the rare CRT TV set, glass table top and jaloosy window inserts.

[@jonbriggs2653]

Been out that way twice but only find small stuff. Last time I went I got 3 flat tires!! I see tons of asks for coordinates of the spot with larger pieces. If you’ve shared before I’m sorry. I can’t find it

[@ValCronin]

Ive been looking for good videos of central utah, and this is perfect! I own land in millard county but cannot move out there until more funds. So this is as close as I can get for now :D

[@ValCronin]

And Rock hunting is certainly why I chose that area!

[@MerkWares]

If you'd like I can give you directions to the obsidian. That whole area is a rock hounds paradise I'm told. I'm just getting started into it.

[@ValCronin]

Oh man, a general vicinity would be more than what anyone could ask for. I am quite thankful the spot ISN'T well known, as it is such a rich resource! Any hints towards the vicinity would be well appreciated, though. (does YT even have a DM feature? ha) Have you been to the topaz areas where you can find topaz just sitting in the dirt when you shine your flashlight?! :D

[@brycewilkin1095]

@@MerkWares could you get in touch with me.

[@MerkWares]

@@brycewilkin1095 how can I help?

[@bigal9340]

my friend is the judge in Milford and my wife and I went to the first spot in your video two weeks ago. picked up some good pieces. what's the chance of getting the GPS coordinates​ to the second spot where you were off the beaten path? by the way, the " enemy at the gates" thing had me rolling!!

[@joshuathomsen]

Hey, I live in Provo and have been wanting to get more into direct knapping/abo techniques (I'm currently using pressure flaking and FOG). I'd love to get together and drive out there and collect some of this with you one weekend.

[@MerkWares]

You'd be more than welcome.

[@GoogleAccount-de2rx]

Wish I could get some. Only option I have physically is to buy some from metaphysical shops and it's outrageous here.

[@Scaryandknowledge]

I have a lot of obsidian. In case you wanna buy some

[@secretsquirrell13]

lol! I too use that enders game quote.....more than I should.....hey man you ever thought about making a titanium stove for a hot tent?

[@MerkWares]

I have a bit, but I don't have much experience camping in a tent let alone a stove. I'm usually in a hammock under a tarp. But it has crossed my mind a bit. Perhaps I'll sew up that Tipi I've wanted this winter and make a stove for it.

[@Nature_Wild_And_Free]

My wife and I are planning our first trip to Utah this fall. Definitely goi g to try to find this place yo take a couple buckets home for Knapping. If you dont mind sharing some information or tips on locating this area?

[@GoodandBasic]

Is this the site at black spring just north of Milford? JB

[@MerkWares]

South of there. Just south of the Blundel Geothermal Plant. There is obsidian around black rock springs. I've been looking at satellite photos of the area and there are several quarries it seems that need exploring.

[@evanmabry895]

Hey Merc, i believe i met you last month at Wintercount? I am headed to this site tomorrow in hopes of harvesting some good pieces. thanks for the video! i now know (think?) i will be headed one canyon south of the geothermal plant for the more sizable pieces :) I'm stoked to bang some rocks together!

[@MerkWares]

check your msg requests on facebook.

[@evanmabry895]

Update: area inaccessible due to deep snow. Will visit again May/June... :/

[@mohawksniper79]

can't wait to go there I'm gonna get all that stuff no one wants much less work more efficient for making things.

[@camalo171]

I'm just getting in to flint knapping, but I'm sick of using window glass for my points. I'm here in utah, and would love to go collect some of this obsidian. Could I possibly get the coordinates for the locations?

[@drakedorosh9332]

Me too. I've been guessing based on clues in the video like near the geothermal plant. There are only two geothermal plants in Utah one is near Milford. Here is the Blundell Geothermal coordinates 38°29'11"N 112°51'9"W Fair bit of info here on the plant. Note that Rhyolite and Obsidian are related minerals. en.openei.org/wiki/Roosevelt_Hot_Springs_Geothermal_Area#Geology_of_the_Area We still have other options: www.sourcecatalog.com/image_maps/map_obsidian_utah.jpg

[@MerkWares]

Yup it is right past the Blundell geothermoal plant. Just follow the road past the plant down into the canyon where it crosses a cattle guard and forks. The cliffs to the south are full of obsidian.

[@drakedorosh9332]

There isn't many cattle grates around so I think it is this exact spot. 38°29'28.01"N 112°48'56.10"W

[@MerkWares]

38°29'32.1"N 112°48'53.7"W

[@Legitomous]

MerkWares so this is east of the geothermal plant?

[@k1j2f30]

MerkWares, love to see people getting into flintknapping. I grew up in WY at the base of the Bighorn Mts, & have been knapping the waxy red chert that comes from the phosphoria formation (still have a stash in my garage) for almost 40 years now. I now live in N. E. Montana. I go to N. D. to get Knife River Flint but around here besides the occasional river cobble the only knappable material is porcellanite. Lately I have had a notion to make some very large blades (10-12") but have no material to do so.Would love to have directions to your obsidian quarry. Could workout an exchange for information or material if interested. I know I could buy obsidian but don't like to pay for rocks and I love the hunt for material. Been hauling cherts out of mountains for many, many years with duffel bags and back packs but, i'm getting a bit long in the tooth for that anymore. Love to explore and hike the mountains still but now have to drive up close to get much material. Also as I'm sure you know obsidian is some nasty stuff in many ways. Its good to practice and learn with but when you move up to chert or flint its kinda hard to go back to obsidian because you will over pressure it and tear it up. Also it is none forgiving and will cut you to the bone in the wink of an eye, just as it will slice a tire sidewall as fast. Don't ask me how I know. Also never percussion obsidian in your house as the micro particles it produces will become airborne and travel through out your house and get in the lungs of everyone in there. Bad, very bad! Once it gets in your lungs it cuts and embeds in the lining and all, never comes out! Even when knapping this stuff outside be sure to wear a dust mask. This dust in your lungs is called Silicosis and it is a terrible way to die. I don't want to scare you just keep you healthy and make you aware of the danger if you knapp a lot of this stuff please wear a mask. Sorry for the ramble, I do this a lot since I got older. Happy knapping!

[@sunnyhawkadventures864]

I've got some mahogany piece's that big if you are interested

[@MerkWares]

I just saw this msg... I'd absolutely love to work out some trade with you for stone. We just went back to the obsidian beds this last weekend.

[@PaleHorseLithics]

Is the second canyon wildhorse ? Im planning to make a trip down that way soon.

[@MerkWares]

yup

[@guymontana5338]

Where is a good spot to go for obsidian of various colors? I live in Ogden and we are planning a trip next week to go all around Utah getting stones of all types. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

[@MerkWares]

The best place I would guess for some colors is Black Springs or possibly around Topaz Mountain.

[@yuk747]

Foraging a really rough rugged terrain for obsidian in dollar shower flip flops. Yikes..!

[@MerkWares]

It really wasn't very smart. I do run around the desert in minimalist sandals most of the year but the obsidian is another matter.

[@mariogutierrez3432]

This looks like a fun adventure ,Is this anywhere near the beehive kilns at Frisco Utah ? Or Indian grave peak?

[@MerkWares]

it's up near the Blundel Geothermal Plant outside of Milford.

[@mariogutierrez3432]

@@MerkWares Thank you sir , I'm planning an adventure soon and I just may head up there to look for obsidian .👊👍

[@larrymays5413]

we are planning a trip to Arizona and will be passing through Utah, could you tall me the GPS location or directions would love to stop by there on the way down. Thank you for your time Larry

[@davedunlap3026]

Hi Mark, I'm new to knapping and looking to collect so.e obsidian. Would you be able to direct me to the spot at the end of your video. I just want to get a few pieces to work on? Thanks for the videos.

[@MerkWares]

Look me up on facebook and I'll give you coordinate. I also have a bunch of it you can have.

[@shawnmcginty2846]

Hey I was wondering if you could give me a little better directions I go out by hiway 257 out by Delta could you help me out

[@TracyMillett]

Hey Merk, can you message me the coordinates to where you picked up the big stuff, please?

[@claybench]

Tracy Millett also interested in the exact coordinates. Someone please send them to me...pretty pretty please :)

[@fusiongxge5105]

Is there dacite there?

[@dougwylde]

GPS coord?

[@sdrowley2222]

Could you give a GPS of these locations I’ve been out to these areas and haven’t found any big enough to try to flintknap.

[@MrTechmoore]

You have to dig it out.

[@sdrowley2222]

Treadhead how was that helpful? You could give a location so that digging might be more effective.

[@mark5698]

I seen no pics of the area dubbed as "THE SOURCE", you was close but missed the best of the best. and the granite , "Rock Corral" is way fun area, trails under the rocks to the top.

[@MerkWares]

I'm sure there is better stuff farther back in there. Just where we were it would vary from snowflake obsidian to some pretty prime stuff all within a few feet.

[@mohawksniper79]

I only make knives and arrow points.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

Do they have any mahogany or snowflake obsidian there? Those are really pretty?

[@MerkWares]

Definitely snowflake obsidian. Found a few pieces that were mahogany as well.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

@@MerkWares cool thanks!

[@slave_to_cinema]

Would love to find some obsidian out here in CA. Are there laws against taking it? I assume no but i just dont want to get in trouble.

[@MerkWares]

On public land it should be ok. they just limit how much you can take as long as it is non commercial.

[@Scaryandknowledge]

I Got a bunch! In case you wanna buy some

[@Gdddguhjkbfs]

I live in Utah! plz plz plz send me map coordinates! Im just starting flint knapping and would love to try my hand working with obsidian.

[@MerkWares]

Look for Emberlit Stoves on Facebook and send me a msg.

[@Gdddguhjkbfs]

I sent you a DM just waiting for a reply thank you for your time

[@jangjimi5428]

I found a place in my county with a lot of obsidian and im wondering if its worth anything or what can I do with it?

[@MerkWares]

I'm using it to learn how to make stone arrowheads and knives. It is sometimes used to make jewlery. Sometimes I've seen it for sale at rock shops and on ebay.

[@ThugHunterfromIsrael]

Usually one relatively small chunk will go for 5 dollars (the one he called tiny at the start is probably 5 or 6 dollars)

[@mohawksniper79]

that was perfect size why you need such big peaces.

[@MerkWares]

They are easier to collect and I don't have the skill yet to knap such smaller pieces into usable points. The larger pieces give me more material to work with. They also let me practice spalling from a larger core and making larger tools. The small pieces only really allow for some percussion and pressure flaking.

[@chrispoteet1]

was you at fishlakes national forest?

[@MerkWares]

west of there a bit in the mineral mountains.

[@chrispoteet1]

MerkWares I'm was planning a trip out there from Georgia in June of 2017 . Then I came across your video and it made my mind up I'm definitely going to make the drive with my son . Can't wait now!!we been contemplating on Oregon or Utah so we are coming to Utah. Thanks.

[@slowtaknow]

will obsidian work like flint for flint and steel

[@MerkWares]

I have thrown sparks with obsidian with a very obtuse edge. It is glass and very brittle. It is certainly hard and sharp enough to scrape the steel but it tends to crumble with each hit.

[@slowtaknow]

+MerkWares thank you

[@randallbarton7975]

Out there in flip flops puts you in a category...... Starts with an M....

[@lemancitriton260]

What ever happened to pegmatite gems?

[@MerkWares]

Those are definitely something I want to get into. Topaz mountain is actually quite near the obsidian location.

[@Why1236]

are you an antler or a copper person?

[@MerkWares]

I'd like to think that I'm an antler and stone person. Though I need a ton more practice.

[@ThugHunterfromIsrael]

Oh yeah yeah

[@pwestanoggg2413]

It costs 30 dollars for a small piece of obsidian where I’m at

[@crimsonavenger_]

Just got large pieco of obsidian for 15€

[@sdrowley2222]

What area do you live in? If you are in Utah or near about, I’ll give you a location where you could fill a large bucket with pieces of almost any size in twenty minutes. Black, snowflake and mahogany it’s in nearly the same area.

[@guymontana5338]

shawn rowley I would love to know where to go! I wanna go on a rockhounding trip in about a week. I live in Ogden and gonna take my wife on a surprise trip getting different stones of Utah. I got her a tumbler too. I have an AWD Honda Element. So I can’t go everywhere, but I should be able to handle a bit of road issues. Any location for obsidian or other stones you are willing to share would be much appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!

[@harrisastro]

@@sdrowley2222 If you are willing to send me the location I would love to know? Very amateur but also very interested.

[@sdrowley2222]

@@guymontana5338 im so sorry I just saw this i think this will help you. Don't just stay in the quarry walk a radius of 100 to 300 yards around it as well there are good peices on top of the hill above the quarry. This is all public land.

[@jerranpitcher6702]

Hey man I know you've heard it before but I'm trying to get into flint knaping and I would really appreciate it if you could send me the cordanates you dont have to worry about me telling everyone or me cleaning out you spot so if you could get back to me that would be great

[@MerkWares]

Just drive into the canyon behind the Blundel Geothermal plant, about 8 miles north of milford, until you reach the cattle gate at the bottom. The entire clif to your right is obsidian.

[@marthamcfaul1865]

/for making knives?

[@MerkWares]

Yes, at least in theory. I have a lot to learn and practice before I can make anything resembling a stone knife.

[@marthamcfaul1865]

could I buy some off you?

[@MerkWares]

find the emberlit site on facebook and send me a msg. I'll get you some.

[@Scaryandknowledge]

I have a bunch. Just in case you wanna buy some

[@johnschade90]

Lol your hat is 6 times to small

[@MerkWares]

Yes, sadly, had to retire that hat. It just kept getting smaller.

[@7p598]

The bible says you will not steal. Perhaps it is not your land, perhaps you did not have permission, you must not extract stones, you must return them or pay for them to the owner of the land. Repent and belive in the gospel.

[@jesc6802]

That bible must not have existed when this land was stolen, without permission......repent and believe in take backs lol

[@7p598]

@@jesc6802 #1 The bible already existed from before 1776 or 1492, but even every human being "has written in his heart that stealing is bad." # 2 Therefore, theft is a bad deed from before the Bible, from before Christopher Columbus, during this KZbin video and in the future. # 3 Whether you are a Christian or not, stealing is bad, it was bad, and it will always be bad. # 4 Your land was not stolen in 1500 because you were not even born yet, which shows that you are spiteful. # 5 I did not steal your land, nor did the Bible steal your land, nor did the English Puritans steal your land from you. # 6 But what I do in the present, this warning that no one steals in the present, puts me on the right side of the story. And what you do here today, that of justifying the robbery for revenge, puts you on the wrong side of history. # 7 I was investigating, and there are some demarcated areas in Utah where there is a permit to collect stones. Therefore I did not accuse the author of the robbery video because I do not know if he had permission or not, but I did want to publicly state that no one should even steal stones. # 8 If you have evidence that land was stolen in the past, I suggest you file a lawsuit with a judge. If that robbery no longer has a solution because it was long ago or the thieves and victims are dead, then I suggest you visit a psychologist because your hatred and resentment seems like a chronic mental illness..

[@soylentg6270]

@@7p598 Much of Utah is BLM land. (Public land.) A permit is needed for materials deemed for commercial use.

[@johnschade90]

Is this in the west desert

[@MerkWares]

down by Milford.