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Age Limit---Any youth 18 or younger, must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  All safety equipment is required.

Directions ---  From the Lynchburg / Roanoke area, take I-81 north to I-66 east to Manassas Exit 44. Go south on Rt 234 (Bypass) for 3.3 miles. Turn Left on Wellington Rd. (at light) --- go ½ mile and turn left on Vulcan Road. Cross railroad tracks and take immediate right into office parking lot.

In looking at the map, it appears that you can save a little time by following Rt. 29north thru Culpeper.  Look on the right for State Rt. 28 in Remington, VA. This will be 10 to 15 miles north of Culpeper on US 29.  If you come to US 17 you have gone 3 miles to far.  Follow State Rt. 28 for 20 miles or so to the Rt. 234 Bypass.  Turn left or north for about 2 miles to Wellington Rd.  There should be a traffic light.  Turn right and go ½ mile and turn left on Vulcan Road. Cross railroad tracks and take immediate right into office parking lot.

Safety --- Vulcan requires steel-toed boots, hardhat, safety glasses, long pants and heavy gloves. Stay clear of all high walls. Note to Experienced members --- please keep a watch on all of us and say something to those who may not recognize danger before they get into trouble.

What to Collect --- Prehnite, datolite, byssolite, pyrite, pectolite, apophyllite, many other minerals and other zeolites.

Equipment/ clothing --- Rock hammer, 3 - 4 pound crack hammer, chisels, 5 gal. bucket, old newspaper for wrapping specimens, small pry bar. Optional -- large sledge hammer, long pry bar, extra buckets and a hand truck.  Your best tools are sharp eyes. Clothing depends on the weather. Rain poncho nice to have.

Quarry Description / Hints --- Manassas Quarry is a trap rock quarry -- large square, deep hole in the ground with multiple levels. The predominate rock is dark gray diabase which is mined for crushed rock for road construction. Prehnite is the main thing we will try to find --- Hint: look for a white or light green streak of color in the gray rock and examine carefully. Breaking that rock open may reveal a pocket of light green prehnite. Prehnite is not abundant here, so it has been a hit or miss thing. Due to the severe economy, little blasting has been done at the quarry recently.  Therefor, pickins may be slim.  Hint ---Carefully search and investigate anything that is different.

Vehicles --- We should be allowed to drive our vehicles into the quarry. The roads are generally good --- wide and relatively smooth --- but sometimes with water standing in pools on the lowest level. If it is wet and muddy, consider carpooling with someone who has a truck or SUV.

Misc. --- Due to the vagaries of weather, the event may be canceled at any moment.  If there is any question as to whether the trip will come off, contact Ted Carver at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703.754.2050.