Treasure Hunting in Ely
“Ely would have been a terrible place to live 37 million years ago,” says William Wilson, chair of the White Pine Public Museum. And unless you really like the heat, he’s right. It was at that time the volcano now known as Garnet Hill, was in the middle of a 3-phase eruption. That seeded the area in and around Ely with all the elements needed to create untold riches; everything from gold and silver, to copper, and the rich, dark gems known as garnets.
Fast forward to the late 1800s, when prospectors flooded the wild west in search of their fortune. “In 1869, you could put a gold nugget in your pocket and you’re rich,” says Wilson. “But you can’t put a piece of copper in your pocket. That’s what brought the railroad to this area.”
Nowadays, you’d have to work awfully hard to find any gold around Ely, but treasure hunters can still uncover hidden gems at the Garnet Fields Rockhound Area. The 1,280-acres of public land is operated by the Bureau of Land Management. Visitors are allowed to take any garnets they find on the site, as long as they do not sell them. Many small pieces can be found just lying on the ground, but larger pieces up to an inch in diameter can still be found inside volcanic rocks known as Rhyolites.
What to Bring:
Heavy Rock Hammer/Prick, Protective Eyewear, Gloves and Water
When to go:
Early spring when the big snowpack first melts off is a great time because it washes away a lot of the dirt that typically covers the garnets. You may also have better luck after heavey rainstorms.
What to look for:
“Garnets are easy to spot,” says Wilson. “There’s nothing else out there that shines and has the ssame colors as these garnets; that dark red. Look for a piece of Rhylolite that has a lot of holes in it. Some of them may just have quartz, but the quartz is a good guide to let you know that you’re in the right spot.”
Facilities:
Therea re four picnic sites with grills and a ADA accessible restroom available. There are also two informal areas for tents or small campers, but no water on site.