Mountain will draw rock hounds from all over U.S.

The Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig is set to begin Friday, April 25, and continue through Sunday, April 27. Prospectors from last October's dig are shown searching for rutile and other minerals in the cool comfort of their home away from home.

The Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig is set to begin Friday, April 25, and continue through Sunday, April 27.

The mountain, which is considered "Georgia's premiere mineral location," will be open to prospectors, vendors, and interested onlookers from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.

Activities include mineral collecting, swapping rocks and tall tales, hiking, and visiting with old friends and making new ones.

Visitors are asked to bring their own picks, buckets, gloves, sifters, shovels, pry bars, and eye protection. It is also a good idea to bring along proper footwear, with plenty of ankle support, for climbing around the rock piles.

A shuttle and a concession stand, featuring grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, barbecue, chips, and soft drinks, will be provided. In addition, special Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig T-shirts will be available for purchase.

There is no admission charge, but a small donation is requested to defray the cost of opening the mountain to the public.

According to "Matrix: A Journal of the History of Minerals," the rutile crystals at Graves Mountain are considered the finest in the world. Rutile is a lustrous, dark red mineral commonly found in prismatic crystals.

Prospectors at the mountain may likewise discover andalusite, baryte, gold, gorceixite, jarosite, kyanite, lazulite, magnetite, muscovite, paragonite, quartz, sericite, topaz, wavellite, and much more.

The Rock Swap & Dig is hosted twice yearly by Junior Norman, caretaker of the mountain and a former miner.

According to Norman, "Over 2,000 people attended our fall rock swap, some from as far away as Canada, California, Arkansas, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, and Louisiana. We hope this upcoming weekend will be even bigger and better."

The "Code of Conduct" for Rock Swap & Dig participants is as follows:

.. Visitors must park their vehicles in the designated area at the end of the paved access road but not much beyond the woods to the right of the road.

.. No one is allowed to drive a vehicle beyond the designated parking area. To do so, he must be accompanied by the caretaker.

.. All pets must be kept on a leash and under control.

.. Ladders or power tools of any kind will not be allowed - hand tools only.

.. Visitors must stay away from all high walls.

.. Repelling is not allowed.

.. Absolutely no one will be permitted to remain on the mountain after dark.

For more information about the Rock Swap & Dig, call Junior Norman at 1-706-401-3173 or 1- 706-359-3862.