Texas Adventure: Finding Red Plume Agate on Woodward Ranch

Red plume agate can only be found in one place...on earth. It is a valuable agate created through the heating and cooling of the right elements during the eruption of a volcano. Woodward Ranch in Southwestern Texas is that place, the place where the beautiful red plume agate awaits. Waits for you to come and pick it up and take it home!

The Woodward Ranch has been in operation since 1884 and is currently being operated by Trey Woodward, fourth generation of the founding family. Where rockhounding for plume agate is the primary activity at the ranch there are also many other specimens you can find. Black plume, golden plume, opal, and many types of nice agates are just some of what you may find here. Additionally the Woodward Ranch offers camping as well as bird and wildlife watching.

Over millions of years there have been many volcanic eruptions in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, including the Davis Mountains. However, the red plume agate was caused by only one specific event that created seven different lava flows that produced and left several layers of ash and lava. It is these flows that created the very unique red plume agate.

Rock hunters from all over the globe make there way to the Woodward Ranch to spend days hunting the not-so-elusive red plume agate. It can literally be found lying around. Do a little digging and you may find a piece that is worth thousands of dollars. I do mean "little digging". The ranch does not allow for digging, water blasting and such. They allow rockhounders to come search for the red plume and other agates that have naturally eroded to the surface. So, that little corner you spotted just poking its head out of the dirt could be attached to a much larger specimen. That can be dug up!

The Woodward Ranch and their red plume agate hit the main stream last year when the Travel Channel's Kirsten Gum headed out west to do some digging for her show "Treasure Hunter". "We've been really busy since that show aired," said Trey while closely evaluating our finds for the day of our own adventure.

After you've traveled 16 miles south of Alpine, Texas on Highway 118, you'll see a sign for the Woodward Ranch. You drive another couple of miles down Calamity Creek Road. You'll see a rock building there and Trey will probably be standing somewhere near it. When you get out of your vehicle, Trey will be right there to shake your hand and welcome you to the ranch. He'll explain what you're looking for out there if you don't have any idea of what it looks like. Trey will give you some pointers, tell you the rules and cut you loose. It really is up to you to find your spot on the thousands of acres that make up the Woodward Ranch.

After you've had your fill of rockhounding and kicking dirt for the day, head back down to that rock building. If you didn't go in before, make sure you do now. The Woodwards have amassed an amazing collection of red plume agate and the many other plume agates and opals found in the area. Trey will take what you've brought back from the mountains and evaluate it, because if you want to take something from the ranch, you have to pay for it.

During our evaluation, we ended up with a lot of "keepers" and several beautiful specimens of red plume agate. Two pieces in particular, when cut and polished correctly, have the potential of being worth thousands of dollars. We had found several "fingerlings", which are small pieces that were rolled around in the cooling lava to create a small, almost oval shaped, finger-shaped agate. These fingerlings are great for the average rockhounder because they can easily be polished in a fairly inexpensive rock tumbler, and when polished can produce some of the most beautiful agates in the world, with red, black and gold plumes running throughout. Our cost for the day (four people and our red plume agate finds)...thirty-five dollars. The only rocks Trey charged for is the red plume agate. The only other charge is a five-dollar "a-head" rockhounding fee (he didn't charge for the dogs).

If you're thinking of heading out to the Woodward Ranch to have your go at the red plume agate, make sure you are prepared. The weather in the Trans-Pecos area changes at the blink of an eye, and can catch you off guard. Be aware of your surroundings as far as the weather goes. Prepare yourself with tools such as small shovels, big screwdrivers, a small hand pick and of course safety glasses. More than likely it will be hot while you are hunting for rocks, so dress appropriately and bring lots of water!

The Woodward Ranch is an awesome destination for the serious rockhounder as well as the inexperienced family looking for some adventure off the beaten path. Come prepared, it is isolated, and you can have yourself your own Treasure Hunter adventure!