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| The Crossing is in the centre, the long pool is on the left |
This section of Yarrow
Creek lies between Garnet Corner
and The Crossing (click to go to the
Blog List page for information on these locations). In dry weather, it is
possible to park in the centre of the area, otherwise walking upstream from the
crossing is the best option.
It can be divided into three parts. The uppermost is the cascade area itself. Immediately below Garnet
Corner, the stream descends steeply through a drop of about 10 metres to a
blockup of large granite boulders. There are numerous small pools and cracks on
the way down. Some good gemstones have been extracted here using yabby
 |
| The beginning of the pool |
 |
| Boulder blockup and the pool |
No doubt there will be good finds made amongst the boulders one
day, but it will take a lot of work to shift all but the smallest of them.
The middle section
is a long
pool, commencing immediately below the boulders. Within 2 or 3 metres
of the rocks, the water will be over your head. Good for swimming (brr) and
perhaps ideal for a wetsuit and snorkel equipped fossicker. The 13 carat
sapphire in the picture came from the edge of the deeper water. There are some
large boulders in the pool immediately after the deepest part and then sand
takes over. Some nice cutters have been found among the boulders. |
| Finds including the 13 carat stone |
The final section leads
to the rock barrier which crosses the creek another 100 metres or so further
downstream. Wash is scarce along here but some good stones have come from the
pool just above the barrier and by digging under the left bank (facing
downstream).
There is an extensive alluvial flat on this bank which
probably conceals former channels of the creek. Naturally, no-one knows where
they are and they are probably loaded with gems.
My gem hunting video playlist is here. My other playlists are on the Blue Mountains, Glen Innes and New Zealand.
My gem hunting video playlist is here. My other playlists are on the Blue Mountains, Glen Innes and New Zealand.
https://johnsbluemountainsblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/links-to-all-blog-entries-and-relevant.html
All Blue Mountains blogs and videos
All New England and other Geology blogs and videos
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| My finds at Minerama in 2007 |
