Mt. Shasta: Garnet Rockhounding in Marquette County, Michigan

Updated June 2026

Mt. Shasta is a mapped rockhounding spot in Marquette County, Michigan. Reported finds include garnet. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Marquette County
State: Michigan
Nearest road: US 41;M 28
Postcode: 49861
Coordinates: 46.54013, -88.09449

Geology at Mt. Shasta

This spot sits on Baraga Group; Michigamme Formation; Gray to black slate, mapped as slate that formed roughly 2500 to 1600 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this is where garnet, staurolite, and kyanite typically grow as the rock recrystallizes under heat and pressure.

Mapped unit: Baraga Group; Michigamme Formation; Gray to black slate
Age: 2500–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: slate
Elevation: 1,700 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 Mt. Shasta

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 22°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 2°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CHAMPION VAN RIPER PK station (5 mi away).

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

Michigan DNR, Rockhounding rules
Michigan Geological Survey
Isle Royale National Park, Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Mt. Shasta

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

Garnet Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Mt. Shasta.

Across the state line from Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta is close enough to the Michigan border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Mt. Shasta FAQ

Where is Mt. Shasta?+

Mt. Shasta is in Marquette County, Michigan, at 46.54013, -88.09449. Nearest road: US 41;M 28.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mt. Shasta?+

Mt. Shasta is reported to produce Garnet.

Is collecting allowed at Mt. Shasta?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Mt. Shasta?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Mt. Shasta?+

The most comfortable months at Mt. Shasta are April to October.

How do I get to Mt. Shasta?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.54013, -88.09449 in Google Maps. The nearest road is US 41;M 28.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 119 Michigan spots →

Open Mt. Shasta on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.