Ray Mica Mine, North Carolina Hiking + Rockhounding
Hurricane Helene: If you’re traveling from a distance, be sure to read the reviews to confirm whether the site has reopened. It’s expected to be accessible again in October 2025.
Ray Mica Mine is located on Hurricane Mountain (sometimes called Celo Knob) in Yancey County, just a few miles south-southeast of Burnsville, within Pisgah National Forest. Geologically it’s a pegmatite host, part of the Spruce Pine Mining District, which is famous for its granitic pegmatites rich in quartz, feldspar, mica (especially muscovite), and accessory minerals.
Ray Mica Mine is one of my absolute favorite hikes and rockhounding spots in all of North Carolina. Not only is the trail itself scenic and peaceful, but the chance to find pieces of mica, black tourmaline embedded in quartz, and even aquamarine beryl makes every visit feel like an adventure.
Many minerals can be found right on the surface, making them easy to see and collect. Be sure to review local ordinances regarding mineral collecting, as some areas have restrictions on digging.
Mica
A group of silicate minerals known for splitting into thin, elastic sheets, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks—especially in granites, pegmatites, and schists.
Black Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a diverse crystalline silicate mineral group where boron combines with elements like aluminum, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium.
History of Ray Mica Mine in North Carolina
Historically, the mine was first worked in the late 1800s (around 1867) for high-quality mica, which had many industrial uses, including insulators, paint, and electrical components. During World War II, demand for mica increased, and the Ray Mine saw more intensive work. It was finally abandoned in 1944 by the Wray Mining Company, after being included in U.S. Strategic Minerals investigations. Since then, it has become a public collecting site where rockhounds and history enthusiasts can explore.
Minerals Found at Ray Mica Mine, Yancey County
What makes Ray Mine special is the variety of minerals available and the quality of certain finds. In addition to plentiful muscovite mica, collectors report finding black tourmaline (schorl), smoky quartz, albite (feldspar), and especially beryl in its gem variety aquamarine. Aquamarine crystals of display quality have been recovered in quartz-albite-muscovite matrix. Tailings, open cuts, shafts, and surface rock make many of the specimens accessible, especially after rain or when splitting pegmatite boulders.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine, a pale blue to light green stone in the beryl family with a hexagonal crystal structure, forms over millions of years in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins often linked to Precambrian rocks.
Smokey Quartz
Smoky quartz is a translucent to nearly opaque brownish-gray or black variety of quartz, its rich color formed when natural radiation from surrounding rock interacts with aluminum impurities in the crystal.
How To Get to Ray Mica Mine
You can use the location on this map to get to Ray Mica Mine. Sometimes GPS doesn’t work when you are in the moutains so I would suggest printing it to be sure you get to the location.
The trail head to Ray Mica Mine looks like it is in the backyard of someone’s house. You just drive all the way to the top and there are a few parking spots at the trail head just as you enter the woods.
Let Us Know
Have you been to Ray Mica Mine? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your experience!
