Rock Hounding Modoc Rainbow Obsidian at Davis Mine
Hunting for rare Rainbow Obsidian at Davis Creek Mine in Modoc County who knew that the rarest of all the obsidian in the world is right in California located in the least populated county in California down a very long dirt road you will find among a few mines that the Davis Mine is the one where if you're tenacious you will find that rare piece of rainbow obsidian which is caused by lave which once flowed from Lassen Volcano cooling fast and captures magnetite nanoparticles within these layers and they shine iridescent and create a rainbow within the blackness of the obsidian, and I can tell you from my experience of hunting the elusive stone it takes many times to crack them open to find the rare piece which shines rainbow. You are allowed to collect two buckets a year on the mine located in the Modoc National forest as long as you agree not to sell the pieces you collect, and even though I have seen people who sell these treasures on Ebay and obviously do not adhere to the agreement, but I am respectful of the sacred agreement and find it good Karma to share my treasures with friends and strangers who appreciate the rarity that can only be gotten by a long adventure into the California wilderness.
World famous Obsidian: Getting there is half the fun
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Want to find rainbows in the black lava rocks at Modoc's Davis Mine? Be prepared to drive.
For committed rockhounds or those who want a piece of rare obsidian? Davis Creek is Nirvana. It's one of mines, Pink Lady, Needles, Lassen Creek Rainbow, and Middle Fork Davis Creek all located on National Forest land which allows the public to collect one to collect 4 types of rare obsidian make sure you allow a full day for the experience and be prepared to break a lot of dark rocks with the hope of scoring a coveted piece of the rainbow.
Departing NorCal's 395 is a road trippers dream, and though it's not a requirement? a 4 x 4 certainly doesn't hurt.
To get to the rainbow mine follow Forest road 46N30, called the gravel dirt "30 Road" which winds its way up wash-boarding ridges and into a beautiful pink plantation which was planted with new trees in the early 1900's due to an old forest fire, something NorCal has had a lot of, what's rarer than a fire is an Elk, but they're some that survive and call this land home. Davis Mine is just up the hill from Lassen Creek Campground, and in season? Yes you can camp and rock hound all the mines, but for the day tripper? The most accessible is the Davis Mine.
Collecting season runs from July 1st to Labor Day
You can collect three buckets a year for personal use, and you can camp in season if you want longer than a day trip
Fill your gas tank. Bring Buckets for collecting and plenty of water
Sometimes it's hard to spot the rainbows amongst the blue and black and brown obsidian, so the easiest way is to wash them at home and see what's what.
If you're really lucky you'll even discover Native American Blades as I did!
