FREE Camping at Gem Mountain, Montana Plus Mine for Sapphires!

I don't even remember how I found out about this wonderful place, but I sure am glad I did.  My mother and I have spent time here in the summer for at least 5 years.  It's almost addicting, hoping the next turn of the screen will reveal the most wonderful of gems.


After our first visit, to the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, we found that they also have a very nice, FREE campground located in the forested area near their operations.  Although the only ameneties included are a picnic table, parking area, and place to build a fire, the setting is amazing.  A small creek flows by our favorite spot which attracts creatures large and small.  The forest surrounding is shady and filled with birds, squirrels, and even the occasional bovine.  There are plenty of places to take an early morning walk while waiting for the mining area to open for the day.



My four best stones

 



My cat Trouble in a stand-off



During our times spent here, we have both come away with beautiful sapphire specimens waiting to be heated and cut, then mounted in jewelry.  But the real pleasure is in discovering for yourself the gems awaiting the washing and picking. 

                                                                                                            



Mom and her dog, Yoda near camp



                                                 First stop, the gift shop/showcase building where you can purchase tickets for buckets of gravel.  Find a table (tip: there are shaded ones where you can sit and work, but it's hard to see the gems without being in the sunlight),  pick up some tweezers, a screen, and a 35mm film canister.  Then the fun begins! 

Scoop some gravel into your screen, go to the trough of water and start washing and shaking.  Sapphires are a 9 on the hardness scale, second only to diamonds, this is because the are dense, thus they are heavier than most of the sand and gravel where they deposit.  So washing away the lighter and finer sand, and shaking the screen makes them travel to the bottom.   Then go back to your rubber covered table and flip over the screen.  If you've somewhat mastered the technique your sapphires will be right there grouped together in the center.  Now, just pick them out with the tweezers and push them through the cut in the film canister cover.

This young moose visited close to our camp

This is soooooooo much fun!  You can buy gravel
to take home and process if you don't want to spend time at the site.  One year we met a man who brought his own buckets and transferred the gravel to them to take home, and took all his little truck could carry to work on during the upcoming winter.

Most Gem Mountain sapphires of the area are a light green color, heat treating will darken the color and melt the natural minerals, making the gem more clear, then you can have them cut.

He enjoyed the stream nearby

                                                                                                              

Not all will be suitable for cutting, but I have not had a day when I didn't get at least 2 that were clear enough and large enough to do so.  Most of what I have are still beautiful, I have used a rock tumbler to smooth up the small flawed ones of all colors, pink, orange, yellow, blue and green.  We saw one woman pick a big beautiful pink one, and another lady showed us a gorgeous dark yellow star sapphire she had discovered.

My collection of un-cuttables

The mine is located nearby and in earlier years it was possible to work right there, however because of liability concerns, they now bring the gravel to this nice wooded area for customers to work.  Their gift shop/showcase building has jewelry for sale, bags of gravel, ice cream, drinks, and souvenirs.  This is also where, when you are finished, you take your collection of sapphires for grading.  Experts will take a look and tell you which ones are clear enough and big enough to be used in jewelry.

My cuttables

I'm excited to send my collection off for heating and cutting, yes I know it would most likely be cheaper to buy jewelry already fashioned, but hey I found these myself, much more special and fun.  Something we did with the small, less perfect stones was fun too.  I purchased little glass vials at the jewelry store, we put them inside and put it on a chain.

Even more exciting, you don't have to travel here to have this fun.  They will ship gravel to you and you can wash and pick at home.  This might be a fun activity for a family time, birthday party, or other activity for kids or adults.  If you aren't excited to try yet, look at their facebook page, to see what others have found.

The washing site is off of the Pintler Scenic Highway,  (Montana Hwy 1) on the Skalkaho Pass Road, towards Hamilton,  it is paved to the turn off, but do not go any further if you are in an RV or pulling a large trailer.  You will be fine to the Gem Mountain site however. They have plenty of parking and if the campground is full you are welcome to park your RV or trailer in that area and stay.  There are porta potties available at the wash site and the only restrooms available for the campground as well.  There is water available at one location at the site as well, none available in the campground.

The Sweet Palace

If you do not want to take this side trip of 16 miles, you can visit their store in Phillipsburg, which is south of  I-90 (take the Drummond exit) on the Pintler Scenic route.  If you have time, don't miss driving the Pintler route, it is beautiful, following  Flint Creek and passing by Georgetown Lake, and Silver Lake.

The mountainous part of the Skalkaho Pass is gorgeous as well.

Don't miss making a stop in Phillipsburg if only to see the beautiful architecture of the 1880's buildings in one of the "prettiest painted places" in the US,  and pick up some salt water taffy or other sweets at The Sweet Palace.



There is so much to do in the Pintler area, even if you are not interested in mining for Sapphires.  There are several ghost towns as well as great fishing, lake fishing in gorgeous Georgetown Lake, or other smaller lakes, also stream fishing in Flint Creek and numerous others. There are also other free campgrounds, and other, more improved camping areas which charge a fee.  Wildlife viewing is popular, there are of course the many species which frequent the lakes and streams, as well as Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Deer and Moose.



Not far away is the Anaconda,  Deer Lodge area where you can tour the Territorial Deer Lodge Prison, (where my uncle worked for several years), along with several other museums including the Montana Auto Museum, and Desert John's Museum, or the Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.  In winter, snow sports can be enjoyed, as well as ice fishing.

IF YOU GO

Directions

The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine

is located just off of Hwy 38 Skalkaho Hwy

which runs between Hwy 1 the Pintler Scenic Route

and Hamilton, Montana 

NOTE, read about the Skalkaho Hwy before

driving between Hamilton and the Gem Mountain turn off

From I - 90 driving south, take the Drummond exit #153

to Hwy 1 the Pintler Scenic Route

drive 36 miles passing Phillipsburg, to the

Skalkaho Pass Rd rte 38 toward Hamilton turn right

drive 16 miles on a paved road to the turn off on the right

This route is fine as far as Gem Mountain for any vehicle

From I -90 diving north, take the Anaconda exit #208

drive  32 miles passing through Anaconda

(note: take care of the speed limit leaving town it stays low

and can be a speed trap)

Pass Silver Lake and Georgetown Lake

watch for the green highway signs for Skalkaho Pass

and Hamilton, the turn off to the left is right at

a right curve in the highway

after turning left proceed 16 miles on the paved

highway to the Gem Mountain turn off on the right

The nearest food and gas is in Phillipsburg,

so plan accordingly

INFORMATION, FEES ETC

Phone: 406-859-4367 or 866-459-4367

facebbook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philipsburg-MT/Gem-Mountain/357050316855

Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine

is open 7 days a week 9:00am to 5:00pm

 from a few days before Memorial Day

 until the end of September

They do close early (4:00 pm) on July 4th and Labor Day

gravel sales stop a half hour before closing time

Each two gallon bucket of gravel is $15 (2010)

and has about 20 to 25 pounds of sapphire gravel

Allow about 2 hours per bucket to

wash the gravel and have your

stones evaluated

CAMPING

Gem Mountain Campground

7 sites

fire ring

table

gravel parking

1 large pull through site

3 sites including the pull through

are suitable for larger RVs

most of the other sites

will accommodate tents or small  trailers

NO restrooms (available porta potties at wash site)

NO water (water available at wash site)

bring your own wood, or a saw to cut fallen wood

first come first serve, camping also available in parking lot
FREE

There are other campgrounds along hwy 1

and near Georgetown Lake managed by

Deerlodge National Forest Service
rates range from FREE to $16 per night
some do not have water
most have pit toilets
some are open year round, most are seasonal
they range from 11 sites to 67 sites
the most developed and largest is
Phillipsburg Bay
on Georgetown Lake

A full service RV park is located in Phillipsburg

Southwestern Inn Motel and RV Park

located at the entrance of town

Tent and RV sites

30 and 50 amp hook ups

water

sewer

showers

restrooms

laundry room

lounge

restaurant

fire ring

grill

table

pets welcome

$26.00 per night

                                                   
                                                  

















Let's Travel To Montana's Liveliest Ghost Town "Virginia City"

Virginia City, Montana does have a little in common with Virginia City, Nevada.  They both sprang up as mining boom towns, they both have year round residents, and both use many of the original buildings for residences and businesses.  Virginia City, Nevada however is much more commercialized than it's Montana counterpart.

After one of our Lewis and Clark excursions a few years ago, my mother, her dog Yoda, and my cat Trouble left Three Forks and the Headwaters of the Missouri and decided to take a side trip through Yellowstone, rather than retrace our route back home.  As we often do, we bumbled across this gem after heading south from Three Forks on Hwy 287.

If I would have planned a trip to the area, I would have done some research and known more to see and do.  As it was we noticed the spot on the map and decided to take a little detour to investigate.  If this were a destination it would be advisable to spend more than a few hours as we did, and as with most places I have been, it is worth another look and more time.

There are about 100 original buildings still standing in town, some converted to shops, others offer exhibits of all but forgotten equipment, furnishings, and other historical objects.

Like many mining boom towns in the west Virginia City had a short life, although it did maintain itself as the Territorial Capital longer than Bannack.  The capital of the Montana Territory was moved from Bannack to Virginia City in 1865. (interesting that Bannack history states it was 1866,  ''rivalry"?)   In 1875 it moved to Helena where it has remained.  Also like Bannack, Virginia City remained the county seat and built a new courthouse in 1876.

There is also the same claim of 14 mile city in Virginia City as in Bannack, and it is very likely the name belonged to both areas, as small communities or shanty towns were built along gold bearing ridges and streams.  Much of history links the two communities as well as lesser preserved Nevada City.  The first hangings by the Vigilantes were in Virginia City where the headstones of those Road Agents are in place at "burying ground hill", or "boot hill" the original cemetery.

Nevada City has about 90 buildings, (even a unique double decker outhouse behind an old hotel) most gathered from around the state, including the original Recreation Hall building from Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone National Park which now houses a huge collection of music machines and player pianos . There are outdoor mining exhibits nearby Nevada City, and another stop worth making in the area is the old stage stop of Robber's Roost.

The Montana Historical Society has certified 150 buildings in the two towns as original and authentic.

Virginia City was a typical lawless boom town born of a rich gold strike.  There are several versions of the facts, but all agree that a group of men left Bannack, were waylaid or even held hostage by Crow Indians, then on their return to Bannack stopped in a gulch to either camp along the way or prospect.  Two men of the group Bill Fairweather and Henry Edgar are credited with the discovery on what they named Alder Creek.  After returning to Bannack, the men were seen buying supplies with their gold and other gold seekers followed them to the site.  The town of Verona was organized about mid point in Alder Gulch to help establish rules and keep track of claims.  That town later became known as Virginia City.

Soon thousands came and mining camps stretched for miles with names like Summit City, Pine Grove, Highland City, Bear Town, Central City, Nevada City, Adobetown, and Junction City.

 Unfortunately with the coming of the electric dredge in 1898 most of the remnants of these camps and communities were destroyed as it ate it's way through the area.  The dredges did add a new life to mining for a short time, another 40 years of mining and several million dollars worth of gold was extracted.  When they completed operation in 1937,  Alder Gulch had been left transformed and scarred.


Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Co.

From the first discovery in May of 1863 to 1866 it is estimated that placer mining in the area yielded $30 million.  During the entire placer mining era it is said that between $90 million and $120 million was extracted from Alder Gulch which in today's currency would mean $40 billion.  But even by 1866 the gold was harder to come by and many were leaving for easier pickings near Helena, and by 1875 the population had diminished from around 10,000 to less than 800.

 For awhile there were many quartz, or hard rock mining operations maintained and today it continues to a lesser extent.  Garnet mining was a small side operation and you can still buy those stones locally.

Virginia City and the surrounding area were important in the early days of tourism to our first national park, Yellowstone.  It was the outfitting point during 1860s and 1870s and also served as park headquarters when the park was first designated in 1872.

Today tourism tops the economy of the area, although it only provides income for about 100 days a year or so, so they say.

  There are many interesting and fun activities to enjoy in both Virginia City and smaller Nevada City, as well as unique shops to explore.  Until recently a short line railroad would take you on an excursion between the two towns.  Hopefully they can raise the money to continue.  The original railroad never did reach Virginia City, although it extended to Alder Gulch mines and Nevada City.

I wish we had known about the exhibits in Nevada City as well as the many others we missed in Virginia City, we also did not visit any of the mining areas available.

During the summer you can gold pan, horse ride, picnic, hike, fish, mountain bike and attend many live entertainments.  There is also the annual Grand Victorian Ball in August, as well as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities, and snowmobiling and skiing in the wintertime.  Craft and living history activities are held year round.

I am fascinated with history, innovation, and old architecture, so you will likely see many more posts like this one.

I don't remember the small town in this area where we stopped to make lunch and eat at a table near the town hall, but this squirrel was so fun.  I had gotten cherries in Ravali as I usually do and he wanted some.  I threw them up to him in the tree, he caught them and had a feast, staining his mouth and front feet in the process.

We tent-camped later that night and the next at Baker's Hole Campground, just outside of West Yellowstone, after visiting the Quake Lake Visitor Center and enjoying the overlook of the lake.

Trouble thoroughly enjoyed chasing butterflies and moths in the tall grass at our campsite and Yoda had fun with another squirrel. 

We spent just part of one day sightseeing in Yellowstone and enjoying the Madison River, and Gibbon Falls. 

Lilly pond at Continental Divide, Yellowstone Nat'l Park

As usual there is so much to see and do in the area, if you plan to go, try to spend plenty of time and see and experience as much as you can.


 The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone is another must see.

IF YOU GO

Directions

Virginia City, Montana

is located about 67 miles southwest of Bozeman, Montana

and about 90 miles west of West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park

on Hwy 287 between Ennis, Montana, and Sheridan, Monatana

Acrivities, Fees, Etc.

Shortline Railroad Excursion....(currently suspended) info here

Still in operation is a small gasoline powered train

May - - September

Round trip from Virginia City to Nevada City 1/2 hour each way

Adults.......$8.00  (one-way $6.00)

Children 6 - 16.......$6.00 (one-way $4.00)

5 and under....free

Virginia City Overland Stagecoach

Memorial Day - Labor Day

10:30 am - 5:00 pm

25 minute narrated stagecoach tours,

 and horseback trail rides

Wallace Street, Virginia City, MT

Ride up Alder Gulch to the first discovery site,

jail, hospital and more with historic info and narration

Reservations and Walk Ins

Phone:  406 843-5200

Historic 1941 Fire Engine Tour

May 23rd - Sep 18th

11:40 am 6:15 pm

Phone: 406 843-5421 or 800 317-5421

35 minute narrated accurate and entertaining

tour of Virginia City and Boot Hill

aboard an antique 1941 Pirsch fire truck

center of town, in Virginia City, MT

Walk-ins welcome, reservations required for groups

Walking Tours of Virginia City and Nevada City

Visit the information center at the Virginia City Depot

for brochures and guides, books, souvenirs, etc

There is also an audio tour of Nevada City available

fee of $8.00 to tour Nevada City

Live comedy entertainment at the

Brewery Follies

Old HS Gilbert Brewery, Virginia City, MT

late May to late Sep

Phone: 406 843-5218 or 800 829-2969

Reservations strongly advised

Virginia City Players

 (above page active during season)

Virginia City Opera House

Phone: 800 829-2969

Melodrama and Vaudeville acts

Highly acclaimed performances

Mid-June - Labor Day (except Mondays)

Grand Victorian Ball for Peace 1865

Virginia City Community Center

Phone: 406 682-4935

Costume rentals at Rank;s Mercantile

 Phone 406 843-5454

held in August with morning events in

both Virginia City and Nevada City

dance lessons in early afternoon

7:00 pm promenade on the boardwalk

7:30 grand march, welcome and dancing

CAMPING

Since we were traveling to Yellowstone, we stayed nearby at

Baker's Hole Campground

open mid-May - mid-Sep

Phone: 406 823-6961

6560 ft elevations

located along the Madison River

3 miles north of West Yellowstone, MT and Yellowstone Nat'l Park

Amenities

73 total tent and RV sites

33 which have electric

water

 (2 spigots in campground)

vault toilets

fire pit

fishing

some pull thrus

some sites can accommodate extra large RVs

potable RV water station

tents welcome

pets welcome

handicap accesible

NO  dump station

NO showers

NO reservations

generators ARE allowed

firewood available $6.00 per bundle

Groceries, laundry, showers etc available

in West Yellowstone 3 miles away

Fees, restrictions etc

$16.00 per site per night

$20 per site per night for electric

16 day limit

senior discount

please call for info on current conditions

availability, rates, discounts etc

Virginia City Campground and RV Park

located 1/2 mile east of Virginia City on hwy 287

Phone 406 843-5493

Amenities

Wi Fi

full hook ups

pull thrus

restrooms

showers

picnic table

ice available

pet welcome- dogs must be leashed

water

free dump station for paying guests

cabins available

tent sites

Fees

3 day discount packages available

Full RV hook-ups 1 - 4 people ...$32 per site per night

RV water and electric 1 - 4 people.....$28 per site per night

Tent, no hook ups 1 - 4 people.... $24 per site per night

Cabin with 1 bed 1 - 2 people ....$70 per night

extra guest 4 years and older....$4 per night

Office open 9:00am - 9:00pm

check-in 2:00pm

check-out 11:00am

reservations recommended

Alder Montana KOA

located east of Virginia City in Alder, MT

 Phone 800 562-1898

open year round

Amenities

Kamping Kabins

RV sites

50 amp

pull thrus

Tent sites

playground

free wi fi

meeting room

snack bar

firewood

water

full hook ups

restrooms

showers

tours available

fishing (no charge)

bicyles (no charge)

Call for reservations, fees, etc