Montana Rock Run

[kleinpm]

I have been on the hunt for some decent local rock for a while. The other day I finally, and more or less accidentally, found some great rock just a few miles from my house. I drove right by this about 15 times last year elk hunting. The rock seems like quartzite, although it is very easy to work. It flakes like chert, but has sparkles like quartzite, gets extremely sharp and is very tough. There is some evidence that this was used in the past - lithic scatter above and below the material which is about 30 yards wide and 150 yards long. One chute of knappable rock with nothing on either side. It abruptly ends on all four sides.

The rock is about 1 mile from a cave that was probably occupied and was excavated at some point evidenced by several mounds of dirt in front of the cave all about the same size like you would get from using a screener/sifter,  and about 2 miles from a drive line that goes up and over the mountain into the next drainage. It is also about 3 miles from another cave that an Indian burial was excavated in the 1930's.

Patrick

[kleinpm]

Some points I made from the rock. I tried to flute one - didnt work quite so well.

[Zuma]

Wow cool find and I would say no doubt abo.
Looks like a sugar quartz even Hixton like.
Keep the big core it's a great artifact.
To late to say keep the lid on it. lol
Zuma

[kleinpm]

Zuma,

It was found on private property so everything is on the up and up. The rock extends onto a ranch and I happened to help the rancher with a flat last year, so he let us on. I modified the post anyway. Better safe than sorry.

Patrick

[Zuma]

Man if you could get permission to find the local campsites.
Nearest water!
A university nearby should be able to give you info on thre rock.
Zuma

[TRACY]

Real nice and close to home! Wolf watcher aka Joe might be able to give you some specifics on that area rock. Nice points!

Tracy

[kleinpm]

It is nice having something close to home. That is something new for me. I am used to scrounging for every river busted cobble or random large river washed flake and then being afraid to take risks because there was never enough material. Not anymore!

Zuma,

There is a year round stream at the bottom of the hill. If I had to guess where to look for camps it would be across the stream where its much flatter, but still protected from the prevailing winds out of the southwest. Unfortunately, I don't have access to that land and probably never will. The section I do have access to is very steep.

Patrick

[Knapper]

Awesome find, now youll be posting points every week
Knapper

[Zuma]

kleimpm,
Is that you or your boy in photo 2? lol
I went back to look at the landscape.
I was typing " looks like there is a lot of energy there."
Bam the lightning struck and the power went down.
So I rebooted and realized that they know we are yackin about them. lol
Zuma

[kleinpm]

Zuma,

Thats my son. He's 6 and loves to go rock hunting.

Patrick

[Stringman]

Very nice score! This is gonna make a huge difference in your confidence level.

[Sparrow]

Beauty find !    Ain't it nice to have rock ?    '  Frank

[cowboy]

Now there's what I like to get into.. A big ole pile of rock! I'd have the truck squatted on the way home . Does look Hixton'ish, more than a few miles from WI though.