Trinity River / Willow Creek: Jade Rockhounding in Trinity County, California

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Trinity County

State

California

Nearest road

Hawkins Bar Road

Postcode

95563

Coordinates

40.87912, -123.52709

Geology at Trinity River / Willow Creek

This spot sits on marine rocks, unit 1 (Western Sierra Nevada and Western Klamath Mountains), mapped as slate and graywacke that formed roughly 250 to 145 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit

marine rocks, unit 1 (Western Sierra Nevada and Western Klamath Mountains)

Age

250–145 Ma (Triassic to Late Jurassic)

Rock types

slate and graywacke

Elevation

580 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 Trinity River / Willow Creek

Best months: October to June. Typical highs run 99°F in midsummer and 52°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 37°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BIG BAR 4 E station (19 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

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: April 1, 2026

• BLM California — Recreational mineral collecting
• California Geological Survey
• CDFW — Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
• Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Trinity River / Willow Creek

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

• JadeEncyclopedia →