Unnamed Mine Dump (Zircon): Zircon Rockhounding in El Paso County, Colorado

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

El Paso County

State

Colorado

Nearest road

High Drive

Postcode

80829

Coordinates

38.82038, -104.89785

Geology at Unnamed Mine Dump (Zircon)

This spot sits on Rocks of Pikes Peak Batholith (1000-m.y. age group), mapped as granite and alkali feldspar granite that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit

Rocks of Pikes Peak Batholith (1000-m.y. age group)

Age

1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)

Rock types

granite and alkali feldspar granite

Elevation

7,030 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 Unnamed Mine Dump (Zircon)

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 46°F in winter to 81°F in summer. At about 7,030 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RUXTON PARK station (4 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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Unnamed Mine Dump (Zircon)

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

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