FAQ
- How do we get there?
- What do I need to bring?
- How long does it take to Heat treat and Facet a stone?
- Are you open on Summer holidays?
- Is there someplace there you can eat?
- Do you offer a Fee Dig? Trips to the Mine?
- Do you remove sapphires from the gravel before you bring it down from the mine?
- Are your gravel buckets guranteed?
- Where can I get more area info?
A: USE YOUR GPS, TOM TOM, Google or Map Quest directions WITH CAUTION. Many GPS and internet search engines do not know the proper location for Gem Mountain. If your electronic device does not provide instructions that match the directions below...IGNORE IT! You will get lost, and will not find us.
From the West and Northwest - Missoula, Spokane, Kalispell, Glacier Park, Flathead lake:
From Missoula, travel east on I-90 approximately 45 miles to Drummond. Exit at Drummond, Exit #153, and proceed South on MT Highway 1, the Pintler Scenic Route, approximately 36 miles to Skalkaho Pass Road (six miles south/past Philipsburg). Turn Right on Skalkaho Pass Road towards Hamilton. Travel 16 miles west to our driveway and turn right. (Large RV's and towing units can ignore the big yellow warning signs about narrow winding roadways. The road is paved and suitable for all vehicles all the way to our driveway). We have plenty of RV parking. Stop for gas and groceries in Philipsburg!
If you are in the Bitterroot Valley (US 93 south of Missoula in Hamilton, Darby, Victor, etc.) and are comfortable driving a narrow (we mean really narrow in places), winding (so winding long towing units won't make it), gravel road with huge drop offs and no guard rails (stop and look over the edge if you can), you can take the Skalkaho Highway. From US 93 one mile south of Hamilton turn East on the Skalkaho Highway. Travel 38.4 miles on the main road to the sign by our driveway. This route IS NOT suitable for RV's, Towing Units, big road bikes (Harley, Goldwing, etc.) because it is narrow, winding and most of it is gravel/dirt. This route is not recommended for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights and drop offs. There is a short stretch of road that is only 11 feet wide at about mile marker 19 (21 miles from GM). Skalkaho Falls is 18 miles from Gem Mountain. There is no winter maintenance. The road is generally open from Memorial Day Weekend (weather dependent) until the snow flies. This is one of the last "dirt" State Highways left. Skalkaho Falls, Mudd lake/Crystal Campground and wildlife viewing opportunities are worth the drive.
From the North, East, and South (I-15 and I-90, Anaconda, Butte, Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Helena, West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, etc.):
From Butte and the Junction of I-15 and I-90. Proceed west on I-90 towards Missoula. Take Exit #208 to Anaconda. Follow MT Hwy 1, the Pintler Scenic Route through Anaconda, past Silver lake and Georgetown lake and down the "grade" approximately 32 miles. Take it easy across the flat at the bottom of the grade. Watch for the two Green Highway signs that say Skalkaho Pass Road and Hamilton as you come to a right hand curve. This is a dangerous corner for making a left turn. Slow down before going into it. Turn Left on Skalkaho Pass Road towards Hamilton. Travel 16 miles west to our driveway and turn right. (Large RV's and towing units can ignore the big yellow warning signs about narrow winding roadways. The road is paved all the way to our driveway). We have plenty of RV parking. Stop for gas and groceries in Anaconda. Gas prices are always within one cent of each other at Exxon and Conoco. Albertsons is on your left as you enter town. Safeway is on your left most of the way through town.
As of May 2010 Google finally showing the proper location for Gem Mountain. Follow the link below. If the map and directions don't match the driving directions above...DO NO USE IT.
Link to Google Maps location of Gem Mountain.
DO NOT USE IF LOCATION AND DRIVING DIRECTIONS DO NOT MATCH THE DRIVING DIRECTIONS PRINTED ABOVE.
Q: Do we have camping?
A: Yes, and it is free. We have a beautiful campground with six sites. Three of the sites are large enough for two units. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Bring your own firewood or a saw. Please save the first pull thru site for large RV's and 5th wheel trailers or groups of two to three trailers. The next two pull thru's are shorter and will accomidate any RV or pickup and trailer combination. If you have a camper, smaller trailer or tent please use one of the back-in sites located at the top of the campground. The campground is first come first served. We do not take reservations. You're welcome to stay in the parking lot if the campground is full. Porta-potties are located adjacent the parking lot. Water is available at the "kitchen sink" by the flagpole.
Q: What do I need to bring? A: Play Clothes, sunscreen, camera, bug spray, rain poncho... Everything we do at Gem Mountain is outdoors and involves gravel and muddy water. We supply all of the tools you will need: wash screens, tweezers, wash trough, sorting tables, free stone evaluation and staff to help. We have cold drinks, candy and chips for sale in the store. We usually have some sort of frozen food, and sometimes have sun screen and bug spray for sale. You're best off bringing your own supplies, but we will do everything possible to make you comfortable.
Q: How long does it take to heat treat and facet a stone? A: Forever, plus a couple more weeks. Due to the large volume of stones we accept during our short summer season gemstone processing can take 6 to 9 months. Sometimes less, sometimes more. We accept over 20,000 stones during our short summer season. We process every order individually and promise to return the exact gemstone you left. The process takes time. Orders left at the beginning of the season are usually returned in four months. Orders left at the end of the season can take nine months or more.
Q: Are you open on Summer Holidays?
A: Yes, We are open 7 days a week from a few days before Memorial Day Weekend to the end of September. We close at 4 p.m. on the 4th of July and Labor Day.
Q: Is there someplace there you can eat?
A: The nearest restaurant is 22 miles away in Philipsburg. We have cold drinks, snacks and frozen microwave food available.
Q: Do you offer a Fee Dig? Trips to the Mine?
A: No. I am sorry, but due to Insurance and Safety issues we do not.
Q: Do you remove sapphires from the gravel before you bring it down from the mine?
A: No. The gravel we sell is straight from the mine and has no sapphires removed. We have run it through a wash plant to remove the large rocks and as much clay as possible. Every customer has the exact same chance at finding that big gorgeous cuttable sapphire as we do at the mine!
Q. Are your gravel buckets guranteed?
A: No. The gravel buckets are not guaranteed. But so far everyone who visits has found sapphires. Because the gravel is natural there is no guarantee on quality or quantity of the rough stones you will find. Only the Miners Pail and Mega Jug are guaranteed to contain sapphires. How can we guarantee you'll find sapphires, because we add sapphires from our mine into each package.
Q. Where can I get more area info?
A: The Philipsburg Chamber of Commerce website contains area information and complete list of lodging and dining establishments. Click on the link below.
