Rock Hounding in Elko County
Submitted by Alyssa Cumpton
Staring up at the majestic Ruby Mountains, it’s hard to fathom the geologic processes that gave rise to such towering monoliths. Millions of years ago, much of Nevada was submerged under ancient seas. The collisions of tectonic plates gave rise to the many mountain ranges and the basin and range topography so indicative of the Nevada we see today.
These forces have also left behind treasures for us to find. The hobby of rock hounding can be practiced almost anywhere with little more than a rock hammer and a willingness to stare at the ground. It’s always good practice to know the ownership status of the land you are hunting on, as rock hounding on private land is not permitted without landowner permission. That being said, Elko and many surrounding areas contain numerous public sites where rock hounds can gather different rock and mineral specimens.
Many of us have been to Wild Horse State Park, mostly for its fishing and camping opportunities, but the lake also offers a chance to find garnets, quartz and epidote in an old mine dump located across the highway from the park entrance. The garnets found here are not gem quality, but they make nice specimens growing in clumps across chunks of white quartz. The dump is large enough to be seen from the pavement and spreads out through the sagebrush. Garnets are also common in many of the rocks in and around the Ruby Mountains and at the famed Garnet Hill location in Ely, Nevada.
A different sort of treasure can also be found closer to home in the foothills above Elko. Agate forms when silica rich groundwater seeps into voids over thousands of years. Agate can come in any color and is often banded or included. It is a hard mineral, which means it will take a nice polish and is often used in crafting and jewelry making. The agate found in Elko is usually brown to pink colored, but green, yellow, white and even blue can also be found.
A final place for the intrepid rock hound to explore is the famed Texas Springs area just outside of Jackpot, Nevada. This remote area is famous for limb casts and petrified wood. Of particular interest to collectors are those that possess a bright pink color, though the specimens can range from white, to dark brown to nearly black. Most are small in size but a little digging can turn up log sized chunks. Many rock clubs travel to Texas Springs as the area is vast and dispersed camping spots are plentiful.
This is not an exhaustive list of sights by any stretch of the imagination. Nevada is a wonderful state for rock hounding and it is a hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. Next time you’re out admiring the scenery of Elko County take a moment to look down. You never know what you might find.