Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill is situated in Ely, White Pine County, Nevada, USA, in the eastern part of the state near the Utah border. Ely is part of the Great Basin region, known for its rugged desert landscapes and mining history. Garnet Hill itself is at an elevation of about 7000 feet, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the nearby Robinson Mining District, famous for its copper mines. It's just a short drive west of Ely along U.S. Highway 50, making it accessible for visitors. Nearby attractions include Great Basin National Park, about 70 miles away, which features Lehman Caves and ancient bristlecone pines, adding to the region's appeal for nature and mineral enthusiasts.

Garnet Hill is renowned for its almandine garnets, which are dark red to black and often exhibit sharp terminations and a sparkling luster. These garnets are the main draw for collectors, found either on the surface or by breaking open the local rhyolite rock. The area also yields other minerals, including spessartine (sometimes mislabeled as almandine), albite (var. anorthoclase), biotite, calcite, columbite-(Fe), cristobalite, ferberite, ilmenite, K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz (including smoky quartz), sanidine, stilbite subgroup, topaz, and tridymite. Chemical analyses show the garnets have an Fe to Mn ratio of about 2.5:1, adding scientific interest for enthusiasts.

The geological makeup of Garnet Hill consists of flow-banded rhyolite, an igneous rock formed from volcanic activity millions of years ago. This rhyolite contains lithophysae, which are small cavities or vesicles where minerals like garnets formed as the molten rock cooled. The garnets crystallized from the last remnants of liquid within these cavities, tying Garnet Hill to other mineral-rich sites in the region, such as Topaz Mountain in Utah and the Red Beryl deposit in the Wah Wah Mountains, all part of the same geologic province.

Garnet Hill is part of the Robinson Mining District, historically significant for copper mining since the late 19th century. While not an active mine itself, it was designated a public recreation area in 1970, covering 2 square miles, to ensure access for rockhounding and scientific study. This designation reflects its importance as a place where enthusiasts can collect garnets for personal use, rather than commercial mining. The nearby open-pit copper mines near Ruth, visible from Garnet Hill, highlight the area's broader mining heritage, likely noticed by early prospectors in the 1870s.

Ely’s culture is deeply rooted in its mining history, and Garnet Hill is a cherished part of that legacy. The town, with a population of around 4,000, has a small-town charm where locals share stories of the area's boom days. Visitors often spend days at Garnet Hill with rock hammers, searching for garnets, a tradition that has drawn international attention. Cultural attractions include the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, offering train rides to the copper mining area at Ruth. Annual events like the White Pine County Fair and Horse Races, and Bristlecone Arts In The Park, celebrate the region's agricultural and artistic heritage, though no specific mineral collecting events are noted.

Ely has a semi-arid climate with cold winters and warm summers, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 12°F in winter to a high of 85°F in summer. At Garnet Hill’s 7000-foot elevation, it’s slightly cooler, making it a refreshing escape during Nevada’s hotter months. The area is part of the Great Basin high desert ecosystem, featuring vegetation like sagebrush, pinon pine, and juniper, thriving in the dry conditions. Visitors should prepare for varying weather, bringing sunscreen and water for summer, and warm layers for winter.