Leech Lake Area: Pectolite & Nephrite Rockhounding in Mendocino County, California
Updated June 2026
Leech Lake Area is a mapped rockhounding spot in Mendocino County, California. Reported finds include pectolite, nephrite, calcite, jadeite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Leech Lake Area in Mendocino County, California
Quick details
- Access
- Permission required
- County
- Mendocino County
- State
- California
- Nearest road
- Leech Lake Road
- Coordinates
- 39.91771, -123.08683
Geology at Leech Lake Area
This spot sits on Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges), mapped as sandstone and mudstone that formed roughly 200 to 66 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.
- Mapped unit
- Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges)
- Age
- 200–66 Ma (Jurassic to Cretaceous)
- Rock types
- sandstone and mudstone
- Elevation
- 6,140 ft
Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.
Best time to visit Leech Lake Area
Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, COVELO station (11 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Land & collecting status
Permission required before collecting
Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
State guidance last verified:
- BLM California — Recreational mineral collecting
- California Geological Survey
- CDFW — Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Leech Lake Area
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Leech Lake Area.
- North Fork of Eel RiverMendocino County, California · 14 mi awayNephrite Jade, Crocidolite, Jadeite
- Eel River GravelsMendocino County, California · 20 mi awayJadeite, Nephrite
- Impassable RockMendocino County, California · 26 mi awayRhodochrosite, Inesite, Bementite
- Woods MineHumboldt County, California · 38 mi awayBementite, Neotocite, Rhodochrosite
- Trinity RiverTop pick in CaliforniaTrinity County, California · 55 mi awayChalcedony, Gold, Jasper
- Trinity River GravelsTrinity County, California · 56 mi awayDiamond, Platinum Nuggets
- Area Stream Beds (Rhodonite nodules)Trinity County, California · 65 mi awayRhodonite Nodules
- Indian Creek gravelsTrinity County, California · 66 mi awayRhodonite
Leech Lake Area FAQ
Where is Leech Lake Area?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Leech Lake Area?+
Is collecting allowed at Leech Lake Area?+
What tools should I bring to Leech Lake Area?+
When is the best time to visit Leech Lake Area?+
How do I get to Leech Lake Area?+
More rockhounding in California
See all 97 California spots →Open Leech Lake Area on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
