Pebble Beach
Ontario
Find: Unakite, gneiss, fluorescent sodalite, oolitic hematite jasper, epidote
GPS: 48.70712, -86.38665 (there’s also a South Access)
Nearest city: Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Recommended Vehicle: Any
Season: Accessible year round, Winter is likely to have significant snow, ice, and frigid temperatures.
Summary:
Pebble Beach is a curiously named beach that will try its best to twist your ankles. Its “pebbles” are actually large cobblestones of granite, gneiss, unakite, among many others. It’s all the usual water-tumbled stone you’d find around the shores of Lake Superior - except in oddly bigger chunks. The water was among the coldest I’ve felt along the entire lake, even with 80 degree late Summer weather.
If you’re brave enough to go out onto the cobblestones at night with an ultraviolet flashlight, its possible to see some fluorescence in some of the rocks. I used a 365nm UV flashlight in the video and photos below.
There is also a South access, easily spotted by the large drainage culvert. You’ll run into a car gate with an informal parking area. Walk around it and you’ll have a long, straight path down to the culvert.
Important: While this location doesn't appear to be within any protected land, there is a sign asking visitors not to take the rocks. While this website is focused on rock collecting, this particular spot is only included for the sake of photos, videos, and a cool experience.
Video
Check out the video to best see what can be found when exploring this spot.
3 Helpful Tools
Chest Waders
Chest waders are great to stay dry if you want to get in the lake.
Agate Scoop
An agate scoop is helpful to quickly pick up stones that are far away.
UV Flashlight
A 365nm light is what I typically use. I prefer this wavelength because powerful lights are affordable and react with a broad range of rocks and minerals.
The granite here has a lot of character.
Unakite
One that stumped me when I first saw it. I believe this is unakite within a host rock.
As you can see, green and orange is a favorite of mine.
The culvert that marks the path down the hill to the South beach.
Gneiss
Awesome variety up here.
Highly recommended footwear. Just kidding. These are a backup pair for me and I'm not a fan. Try for something with ankle support here.
Plus an unforgettable sunset to cap the day off.
Info sign about the location.
Some nice colorless fluorescence in this one. (If you've never used a UV light, the vast majority of rocks will have no glow at all here)
But the few that do...
... Are a cool surprise. This large rock had small crystals of what I believe is fluorescent sodalite.