Lyon Mountain: Aegirine & Albite Rockhounding in Clinton County, New York

Updated June 2026

Lyon Mountain is a mapped rockhounding spot in Clinton County, New York. Reported finds include aegirine, albite, apatite, augite, biotite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Clinton County
State: New York
Coordinates: 44.72275, -73.85405

Geology at Lyon Mountain

This spot sits on Charnockite, granitic and quartz syenite gneiss, mapped as charnockite and gneiss that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Charnockite, granitic and quartz syenite gneiss
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: charnockite and gneiss
Elevation: 2,460 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 Lyon Mountain

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 75°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 5°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DANNEMORA station (7 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 Lyon Mountain

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 Lyon Mountain.

Across the state line from Lyon Mountain

Lyon Mountain is close enough to the New York border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Lyon Mountain FAQ

Where is Lyon Mountain?+

Lyon Mountain is in Clinton County, New York, at 44.72275, -73.85405.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lyon Mountain?+

Lyon Mountain is reported to produce Aegirine, Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Molybdenite, Orthoclase, Perthite, Pyrite, Quartz, Stilbite, Wernerite.

Is collecting allowed at Lyon Mountain?+

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 Lyon Mountain?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Lyon Mountain?+

The most comfortable months at Lyon Mountain are April to October.

How do I get to Lyon Mountain?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.72275, -73.85405 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New York

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Open Lyon Mountain on the map

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