Mule Ear: Pyrope Garnet Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Mule Ear is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include pyrope garnet. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 37.17969, -109.70528

Geology at Mule Ear

This spot sits on Glen Canyon Group, mapped as arenite that formed roughly 200 to 175 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Glen Canyon Group
Age: 200–175 Ma (Early Jurassic)
Rock types: arenite
Elevation: 4,280 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 Mule Ear

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 98°F in midsummer and 46°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°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, MEXICAN HAT station (9 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Utah — Rockhounding overview
Utah Geological Survey — collecting guidelines
SITLA — surface use rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Mule Ear

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

Pyrope Garnet Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Mule Ear.

Across the state line from Mule Ear

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

NW San Juan CountySan Juan County, New Mexico · 65 mi awayChert, Garnet, Jasper

Mule Ear FAQ

Where is Mule Ear?+

Mule Ear is in San Juan County, Utah, at 37.17969, -109.70528.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mule Ear?+

Mule Ear is reported to produce Pyrope Garnet.

Is collecting allowed at Mule Ear?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Mule Ear?+

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 Mule Ear?+

The most comfortable months at Mule Ear are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Mule Ear?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.17969, -109.70528 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Mule Ear on the map

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