Hooper Mine
Discover a treasure trove of garnets at Hooper Mine! Hike to an open-pit mine, find your own gems, and enjoy stunning mountain views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather for hiking
Hooper Mine
Best Time
Pleasant weather for hiking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover a treasure trove of garnets at Hooper Mine! Hike to an open-pit mine, find your own gems, and enjoy stunning mountain views.
"You can definitely find full garnets if you know where and how to look, though they don’t have great faces."
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The path to the mine is uphill and can be wet. Good shoes are a must!
🔨 Bring a Rock Hammer
For finding larger garnets, a rock hammer is recommended. Smaller ones are plentiful.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Garnet-Rich Rock Faces
Main mine area
Discover countless garnets embedded in the sheer rock cliffs. You'll find them on the ground and within the matrix.
Scenic Overlook
Near the mine entrance
Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from glacial-carved rocks. A perfect spot for a break.
Gem Shop Treasures
Garnet Hill Ski Lodge store
Browse unique, handmade items crafted from locally sourced garnets. Affordable and beautiful souvenirs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Garnet Hunting Essentials
Timing Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
not a bad little garnet haul. northern New York State
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The path to the mine is uphill and can be wet. Good shoes are a must!
🔨 Bring a Rock Hammer
For finding larger garnets, a rock hammer is recommended. Smaller ones are plentiful.
The top of Hooper Garnet Mine, North Creek.
Gore Mountain Garnet Mine in NY
🦟 Bug Spray is Your Friend
Depending on the season, bugs can be present. Come prepared!
💰 Affordable Experience
Tours are reasonably priced, and you pay per pound for what you find.
Almandine garnet(red) with hornblende(black) and diopside(green), from Hooper Mine, in Gore Mountain NY
Tips
from all over the internet
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The path to the mine is uphill and can be wet. Good shoes are a must!
🔨 Bring a Rock Hammer
For finding larger garnets, a rock hammer is recommended. Smaller ones are plentiful.
🦟 Bug Spray is Your Friend
Depending on the season, bugs can be present. Come prepared!
💰 Affordable Experience
Tours are reasonably priced, and you pay per pound for what you find.
🤝 Friendly Staff
The staff are very helpful and will point you in the right direction.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Hooper Mine for its abundant garnets, friendly staff, and scenic beauty. The accessible terrain makes it enjoyable for all ages, and the affordable pricing for tours and collected stones is a major draw. Some note that finding garnets with perfect faces requires effort or tools, and bug spray is recommended.
"Great hike, great view, and great rocks! Hiked up in the rain and saw multiple eastern newts which was a great surprise.
You can definitely find full garnets if you know where and how to look, though they don’t have great faces. Otherwise lots of chips to be found and many great pieces in matrix."
Andrew Chiles
"Incredibly friendly and informative staff. The mine is great for all ages and is surprisingly accessible (flat, hard ground). I will be returning with my son who uses a wheelchair.
The garnets are everywhere and very easy to find. The whole experience is also very affordable. You pay for a 2 hour tour plus whatever you find ($2 per pound). Many items in the gem shop are handmade using garnet found in the mine. I found everything in the shop to be very reasonably priced.
We are looking forward to visiting again."
laurie cook
"This is an old abandoned garnet mine on the grounds of the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge. They are very nice here and point you in the right direction if you pop in the store and let them know where you want to hike.
It's uphill about half a mile, make sure you follow the arrow signs to the right. You'll come into the bottom of the mine and notice the sheer rock cliffs all around you. Walk straight across to the big red rocks and you'll see garnets all over, embedded in the rocks and on the ground. We didn't find anything huge, but we didn't bring a rock hammer. It was a really cool experience seeing these beautiful rocks. There is also a great viewpoint where you can sit on glacial carved rocks and look out over the mountains."
Matt Champlin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hooper Mine is located on the grounds of the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge. Follow the arrow signs from the parking area; it's about a half-mile uphill hike.
Yes, there is parking available near the entrance to the hiking trail leading to the mine.
The hike is about 10 minutes from the parking area and is uphill. The ground can be wet in places, so good footwear is essential.
While the mine is on ski lodge grounds, the accessibility for garnet hunting might be limited during heavy snow. It's best to check conditions beforehand.
Yes, Hooper Mine appears to be open to the public for exploration and garnet hunting.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There's a fee for a 2-hour tour, and you pay an additional $2 per pound for any garnets you find. The gem shop items are also reasonably priced.
It's advisable to check with the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge or Hooper Mine directly for tour booking information, especially during peak seasons.
Operating hours can vary. It's best to contact the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge for the most current information on when the mine is open for visitors.
While you can hike to the mine area, a tour is often recommended to get the most out of the experience and learn about the best spots to find garnets.
Hooper Mine is great for all ages, and the terrain is surprisingly accessible, making it suitable for families with children.
🎫 💎 Onsite Experience
The primary find is garnet, often embedded in rock faces or found as chips on the ground. You might also find other minerals in the matrix.
Garnets are abundant and relatively easy to spot, especially in the main rock faces. Finding ones with perfect faces might require more effort or tools.
The mine area itself has flat, hard ground, making it surprisingly accessible for wheelchairs.
It's an open-pit mine with sheer rock cliffs. The ground can be wet in places, and there are plenty of rocks to explore.
Basic facilities might be available at the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge, which is where the mine is located. It's good to check what's available.
📸 📸 Photography
The garnet-studded rock faces offer dramatic shots. The scenic overlook provides panoramic mountain views.
Absolutely! Documenting your garnet finds is part of the fun. Just be mindful of your surroundings.
Regulations on drone usage can vary. It's best to inquire with the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge or local authorities before flying a drone.
Morning light can be beautiful for the scenic views, while midday sun can highlight the sparkle of the garnets in the rocks.
Capture the contrast of the red garnets against the grey rock, the expansive mountain vistas, and your own discoveries.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Encourage them to spot the red garnets in the rocks and on the ground. The short, uphill hike is manageable for most children, and the scenic overlook provides a nice break. Remember to pack snacks and drinks, and consider bringing a small bag for any treasures they find.
💰 Budget Travelers
Focus on finding smaller garnets or chips, which are plentiful and easy to spot, to keep costs down. The scenic views and the experience of exploring the mine itself are free once you've paid the tour fee, making it a great value outing.
🚶♀️ Hikers and Nature Lovers
Explore the unique geological formations of the open-pit mine and enjoy the fresh air. The combination of a light hike and a unique geological site makes it a great option for those who enjoy combining activity with discovery.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Allure of Garnets
Visitors often describe the thrill of spotting the deep red hues against the grey rock. For those seeking larger specimens or those with more defined facets, bringing a rock hammer is recommended, as it can help in carefully extracting them from the matrix. The affordability of the mine's tours and the reasonable price per pound for collected garnets make it an accessible adventure for geology enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
The gem shop at the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge further enhances the garnet experience, featuring handmade items crafted from stones found directly in the mine. This provides a unique opportunity to take home a piece of Hooper Mine, whether it's jewelry or decorative items, all at fair prices.
Navigating the Terrain and Accessibility
Despite the uphill trek, the effort is rewarded with stunning natural beauty. Visitors often mention the presence of eastern newts during rainy hikes, adding an element of wildlife spotting to the adventure. The rock faces are a focal point for exploration, and the sheer cliffs create a dramatic landscape.
It's important to be prepared for the elements. Wearing good shoes is crucial due to the potential for wet ground. Additionally, bringing bug spray is advisable, as insects can be present depending on the season. These practical considerations ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable exploration of the mine.
The Scenic Beauty of Hooper Mine
One of the highlights mentioned by visitors is a great viewpoint where you can sit on glacial-carved rocks and take in the expansive vistas. This spot is perfect for a moment of reflection or simply to appreciate the natural landscape. The combination of geological interest and picturesque scenery makes Hooper Mine a well-rounded destination.
Even if you don't find a massive garnet, the experience of exploring the open-pit mine, surrounded by impressive rock formations and enjoying the panoramic views, is often described as a highlight of a trip. It's a place where natural history and natural beauty converge.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit