DIAMOND ACRES (aka HASTINGS FARM), FONDA, NY
The famous "Herkimer Diamond" doubly terminated quartz crystal deposits of upper New York State are World Class collecting locations. “Hastings” property, a.k.a. “Diamond Acres”, in Fonda, New York, has been a renowned rockhound collecting site since the 1950s. There is more digging activity there now in 2010 then ever before. Unlike most digging sites, an area can be reserved, called a "claim," that is solely ours to return to time after time for serious, multi-day digging. Your daily efforts are cumulative, thus not wasted. Because of this, there has formed a strong community of long-timers (some there for decades). They actually care what goes on around them. Pictures of some specimens can be seen at www.mindat.org/loc-6474.html
As of April 10th, both Meriden and Bristol clubs have a claim at the Hastings property. See map for directions to Stone Arabia Road from Fonda, and to the two claims. These are joint claims: if you are a member of either club, you may mine at either claim. There’s the potential to find some really great Herkimer Diamonds. You can go up there any time you wish. You may collect not just our claims, but anywhere on the property that is not already claimed. But DO NOT enter anyone else’s claim, even “just to look.” It’ll take some effort on everyone’s part at first to clear away debris and overburden, but you will find crystals even during site preparation. The primary goals are to have fun, find good crystals, and leave the site clean of debris for you and your fellow club members' return trips. Soon there will be signs indicating best places to accumulate the rock and sifting debris. We will acquire a wheelbarrow to move debris to acceptable off-claim community dumping areas. This will become very important as we get down deeper into the layers.
Margaret Hastings and Linda have a set of rules we all have to follow. You'll receive a copy when you get there. Sign in with Linda each day; cost is $2 per person over 13 ($1 for 13 and under). Tell her which club you belong to; we are required to have a minimum number of visits to each claim each season. If you do not tell her you’re with one of our clubs, we won’t get credit for your visit. To facilitate the process, get a club ID card if you do not already have one (from Eva K. of Meriden or Barb K. of Bristol). There are many new folks in the clubs, so please ask to see Bristol or Meriden club cards from any unfamiliar faces in our claim, and have yours ready as well.
Here are a few things to remember:
¨ Only club members may dig within the Claims. Friends may dig anywhere that's not any claim.
¨ Always follow the Rockhounds’ Code (on many web sites, including the AFMLS web site).
¨ Each claim can accommodate about 6 people a day, more if teamwork is used by alternating digging, sifting, rock-breaking and debris removal.
¨ No restroom facilities nor clean water on the property. Plan ahead; be considerate of others.
¨ Take plenty of water and food for the day. 12 minutes away in Fultonville is a McDonalds.
¨ Use Safety goggles! Also important are bug spray, hat, and sunscreen.
¨ Tools – standard rockhounding tools, especially for digging and sifting (sifter, hoe, trowel, 3-prong cultivator, etc). “Hard-rock mining” is not always necessary. It will be a while before we are down deep enough into the ledges to require heavy-duty sledge work. However, if someone has the equipment and wants to run an electric hammer, by all means “go for it.” But remember, NO BLASTING!
Tips for successful Herkimer hunting can be found here.
¨ Keep Bob Schuster updated on your visits by emailing him at ctgmclub@gmail.com - this is to gauge how much interest there is and how good the sites are. If either one proves inadequate, there is the possibility of moving…but we should give each site a good working for a full season. The Meriden & Bristol clubs have purchased a wheel barrow for the Fonda claims, it is located at Claim #82. Email Bob to get the combination for the lock if you don't already have it.
¨ Each claim is on a well used trail, but all trails are uneven, rocky, and narrow. A wheelbarrow-type vehicle for hauling equipment will probably work better than a 4-wheel wagon. Improvise – look around at how inventive many of the “old timers” have become.
¨ Some equipment or tools (like sifters, wheelbarrow, buckets) might be left at the claim; secure and cover with a tarp. Neither the Hastings nor our clubs can be responsible for losses.
A list of area hotels is below. There is a campground not too far away called Royal Mountain Campsite. http://www.royalmountaincampsite.com/ They rent cabins or just tent for $20.00 for the night for 2 people $3.00 for extra person each. Their address is 4948 State Hwy 29, Johnstown, NY 12095, 518-762-1946.
Motels / Restaurants in Fonda Area:
This list is for your convenience; no endorsement is made by either club. There are numerous others in the area; these all list rates as less than $110 double occupancy; some are considerably less.
* Indicates motels club members have reported as satisfactory.
Holiday Inn 518-762-4686
Microtel 800-771-7171
*Super 8 518-736-1800
Several restaurants in area, including:
Traver's Family (Gloversville)
Romana's Italian Kitchen
Ponderosa
Super 8 518-843-5888
Quality Inn 518-355-1111
Super 8 518-355-2190
Days Inn 518-370-3297
Best Western 518-458-1000
Cocca's Inn 518-459-2240
Comfort Inn 518-869-5327
Hampton Inn 518-438-2822
Quality Inn 518-456-8811
*Red Roof Inn 518-459-1971
Wolf Road has many restaurants
*Herkimer Motel 515-866-0490
(Denny's across parking lot)