Overview | Location | Cost | Time | Planning | Experience + Ratings | Extras | Missed Opportunities
Overview
Have fun digging your way through this one!
With Oregon's state rock being the Thunderegg. You can't pass up the opportunity to collect your own. Thundereggs are rough spheres, most about the size of a baseball—though they can range from a little more than a centimeter to over a meter across. They usually contain centers of chalcedony which may have been fractured followed by deposition of agate, jasper or opal, either uniquely or in combination.
This stop was third and fourth in our with our big Pike Place Market, Tillamook, Thunderegg, Hood River adventure!
Since COVID many mines can no longer allow for digging in the mine itself, due to major increases in insurance costs. Some places have still made the "mining" experience possible such as the Polka Dot Agate Mine, Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, and Emerald Creek Star Garnets.
Very large rock shop with local and international thundereggs plus much more from all over in various shapes, sizes and amounts. They have everything from rough to finished pieces.
From Richardson Rock Ranch:
"Richardson Recreational Ranch and Richardson Agate Co. LLC has been known as a destination for rock lovers from all over the world."
Mine for actual digging of thundereggs. Cool place in the middle of nowhere Ashwood, Oregon. Tools provided with great staff.
Location
6683 Hay Creek Rd, Madras, OR 97741
Wandering Wisdom: Do not stop at the marker, continue to the end of the turnoff road.
Ashwood, Oregon
Cost
No admission to just look around. Cost of everything is market decently well. For us:
$2/lb Richardson Ranch Thundereggs (Pony Butte, Blue Bed, and New Bonnie)
$3/lb Mexican Blue Agate Coconut
$4/lb Rough Floriate
$3.50/lb Wild Horse Picture Jasper
$5/lb Opal Bed Thundereggs
$57.20 Total
Polka Dot Agate Mine
No admission to just dig. It is $2/lb for any thundereggs and $5/ for Polka Dot Agate. For us:
$44.80 - Thundereggs
$25 - 5lbs Polka Dot Agate
$17 - Cutting
$86.80 Total
Time Commitment
Richardson's Rock Ranch
The Rock Ranch is a good drive out in the middle of nowhere but from there you can spend as much time as you want looking around. Richardson's has a ton for you to look at and sort through.
Polka Dot Agate Mine
Again, very far out in the middle of nowhere. Only about 30 minutes from Richardson's Rock Ranch. The drive to the Polka Dot Agate Mine is very interesting and unique even just the drive is pretty cool. Once there again you can dig as long as you want. You should be able to find a thunderegg fairly quickly even if you just pick one up off the ground that was previously dug.
We would suggest planning about 2-4 hours for digging.
Planning
Richardson's Rock Ranch
No planning needed, just the time to get out there and look around.
Bring water, snacks, and meals if you are planning around a main meal time, there are no options nearby.
Polka Dot Agate Mine
No planning required. It did appear that you could possibly camp out at the mine for an early or late start if you wanted. Will need to call for those details.
Bring water, sunscreen, snacks, and meals if you are planning around a main meal time there are no options nearby.
Doesn't hurt to bring your own shovel, buckets, gloves, rock hammer, and a geo pick.
The Thunderegg Experiences
Richardson's Rock Ranch
Ross's Rating: 7/10
Crystal's Rating: 5/10
From Ross the Rockhound: I enjoyed the wider variety of rough. While I know with the shear size it is hard to do, it would be nice it it were cleaner. Too many spiderwebs around the rocks to deal with while looking for what you want. Better and fresher labeling would be helpful. It was good that they had spray bottles for use to really see the rocks. While they are able to cut no one was available on site to cut when we visited.
From Crystal the Meathead: It is just a rock shop. I am not the type of shopper that likes to dig and sort, so rock shops like Richardson's can be tough for me. It was amazing to see how much they had from all over. I enjoyed seeing the Lavender Quartz for the first time. The place is old, dirty and dusty and to me just doesn't feel like much pride is taken in the rocks. More of a business out of the convenience of the land. You will be sorting through spiderwebs, dirt, and leaves looking for your rocks. I love surprises so I was pumped about picking out a thunderegg and seeing what was inside. Unfortunately, they did not offer cutting services when we were there, which will leave you unable to cut open your thundereggs if you do not have a rockhound like me. When we did get ours cut open they were great and I loved the coconut Ross let me pick out as well.
Polka Dot Agate Mine
Ross's Rating: 9/10
Crystal's Rating: 8/10
From Ross the Rockhound: Thoroughly enjoyed the digging experience and uncovering so many Thundereggs. Staff was real nice and very helpful as well. While I was bummed out we couldn't dig for the polka dot agate, they did mention they are hoping to open up polka dot agate digging again next year after extensive reclamation.
From Crystal the Meathead: This is the mine you will actually DIG for your Thundereggs. It is work so be prepared to get dirty. It can be a little frustrating with the fact that you will uncover huge eggs that will fall apart on you and not be filled but hollow with cool stalactites. For me, knowing what I was hoping to find with the thundereggs, even the cool stalactites were a bit of a let down. We did find one great thunderegg out of the 10ish we dug up. You have to get down into the layers pretty far to get to the good thundereggs. The staff is very helpful and will guide you and encourage you to keep going!
Trip Extras + Supporting Local
These places are located very close to each other and nothing else. Locally there just isn't a lot here. You gotta be going for the rocks!
Missed Opportunities:
Public Dig Sites in the Area