Fox Mountain: Rutile Rockhounding in Iredell County, North Carolina

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Iredell County

State

North Carolina

Nearest road

Fox Mountain Road

Postcode

28625

Coordinates

35.99776, -81.00007

Geology at Fox Mountain

This spot sits on Biotite Gneiss and Schist, mapped as biotite gneiss, mica schist, and calc silicate rock that formed roughly 1000 to 485 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit

Biotite Gneiss and Schist

Age

1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)

Rock types

biotite gneiss, mica schist, and calc silicate rock

Elevation

1,740 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 Fox Mountain

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 47°F in winter to 85°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TAYLORSVILLE station (11 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

• North Carolina Geological Survey
• Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
• Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
• Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Fox Mountain

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

• RutileEncyclopedia →