Montana

Finding Gemstones on the Beach in Montana

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

Finding Gemstones on the Beach in Montana

Last weekend, my spouse and I got to experience something fun. We went hunting for “rubies” at Ruby Reservoir in southwest Montana. We had booked an Airbnb in Virginia City for a weekend getaway from Billings. Having some time to kill, I suggested we check out the reservoir. I’m a bit of a rockhound and it’s been on my list of places to visit forever.

Ruby Reservoir, located between Ennis and Dillon in Madison County Montana, is a hidden gem for gem enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Set against the backdrop of the Tobacco Root Mountains, it’s not only a haven for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking but also a popular spot for garnet hunting.

An old storefront in Alder, MT. Credit Michael Foth, TSM

Playing tourist in Southwest Montana.

We took the short drive from Virginia City to Ruby Reservoir, stopping for a couple of quick photos in the tiny hamlet of Alder. The paved road to the lake provided a picturesque drive, easily accessible by car.

A handful of boaters and jet skis were zooming around the lake as we parked and headed down to the only “beach” that was accessible without a boat.

There wasn’t really much of a beach at the BLM campground on the east shore of the lake, but we managed to find a sandy spot at the boat launch and plopped down on a couple of folding chairs.

Mrs. Foth probably won’t like me sharing this pic. Credit Michael Foth, TSM

We found our first garnet within minutes.

I didn’t expect to find anything, but not five minutes after we wandered down to the water’s edge I spotted the first reddish/purple sparkle of a tiny garnet. Eureka! I got the same adrenaline rush I get from hitting on a keno machine or when a trout strikes my line.

Credit Michael Foth, TSM

My improvised pan. Credit Michael Foth, TSM

No equipment? No problem.

We didn’t have a shovel, gold pan, tweezers, or even a bucket, but I improved with a plastic cooler lid. We spent the next couple of hours soaking up the sunshine and the pleasant afternoon, collecting a bunch of tiny red garnets in the process.

Credit Michael Foth, TSM

Most of our “rubies” were about the size of a coarse sea salt.

My improvised pan – aka cooler lid – showed countless specks of shimmering garnet, the size of fine sand. We collected about 20 that were big enough to pick.

Talking to locals after our adventure, they recommended visiting late in the summer when the water level at the reservoir is lower for best success. Others mentioned searching downstream from the dam.

Credit Michael Foth, TSM

If you want to feel like a treasure hunter too, stop by Ruby Reservoir next time you’re in southwest Montana and try your luck hunting for gemstones. It’s fun, free, and an enjoyable experience.

How 10 Montana Small Towns Got Their Interesting Names

Miners, railroaders, trappers, and homesteaders all played a part in creating Montana’s most unique town names.

Gallery Credit: Michael Foth

Riding a Train on Montana’s Southern Route

We hitched a ride on the BNSF Employee Appreciation passenger train as it rumbled across southern Montana in 2024.

Gallery Credit: Michael Foth

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Montana

Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 20

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6 hours ago

March 20, 2026

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Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 20

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Montana

Montana smokejumper Sam Forstag aims to flip House seat blue

Published

18 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Montana smokejumper Sam Forstag aims to flip House seat blue

Montana hasn’t elected a Democrat to the House since the late 1990s. Smokejumper Sam Forstag, who jumps out of planes into the remote wilderness to put out wildfires, is trying to change that. Forstag joins “The Takeout” to lay out his progressive campaign in the deep-red state.

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Montana

Amazing America: Smokejumpers share how job evolved through the years

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Amazing America: Smokejumpers share how job evolved through the years

MISSOULA, Mont. — In this week’s Amazing America, NBC Montana is highlighting smokejumpers and their efforts to keep our communities safe during wildfire season.

NBC Montana caught up with a current and a former smokejumper to learn more about the work they do and how the job has changed throughout the years.

Jim Kitchen was a smokejumper for 20 seasons, fought over 100 fires and raised his three daughters on a smokejumper base, where he served as base commander.

Kitchen says he’ll never forget his first jump, when he started training in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1987.

“I went, ‘That was amazing,’ and he goes, ‘Yeah,’ and I go, ‘Have you ever done anything as amazing in your life? I mean, we just made our first jump,” said Kitchen.

Kitchen told NBC Montana when he laughed his crew had to do 50 pushups.

Kitchen saw several changes during his career, including women entering a historically male-dominated field. He told NBC Montana Deanne Shulman, the first woman smokejumper, paved the way for the industry.

He recalled a time when he was on a trip to Washington, D.C. , in the early ’90s to coordinate emergency response, when a U.S. Department of State official asked him a question.

“He goes, ‘I didn’t realize men were smokejumpers.’ And I had to go, ‘Peter, I’ll have you know, there’s quite a few of us, and actually, it’s the women that are rare,’” said Kitchen “The early ladies in smokejumping, they always met and exceeded the bar, and they were instrumental in doing these winter details.”

Another change he oversaw as base commander, was moving from round parachutes used in World War II, to the ones used today.

“Ram-Air parachutes that inflate make the shape of the wing and they actually have about a 20 mph forward speed. And so you can you can fly those in much windier conditions, higher elevations,” said Kitchen.

Kitchen says the job requires you to roll with the punches and make quick decisions on the fly.

He said while training new jumpers, he taught them early to prepare and never hesitate.

“The only thing that we ask of you is that you take all the information that you can and then make a decision,” said Kitchen.

Nick Holloway, a current Missoula smokejumper, who’s been working for 14 seasons, says it’s important to rely on your training, stay positive and persevere.

“Having done this for a few years, it’s just trying to know that essentially every season is a marathon, it’s not a sprint. Just stay healthy, stay focused and keep having a good time,” said Holloway.

NBC Montana asked both men what they were most proud of during their time jumping.

Kitchen recalled fighting a fire near the Grand Canyon, when he and his crew decided to manage a fire instead of suppressing it when they ponderosa pine trees.

The crew let the fire burn to a plateau, “The Ponderosa pine has about a 20 to 30-year fire return interval in that area,” said Kitchen. “That’s one of the high points as far as land stewardship of my career is seeing fire on a landscape escape and not necessarily suppressing it but allowing it to burn, because then you’re saying it’s good for decades after that.”

Holloway told NBC Montana, while he has “too many to count,” he’s most proud that recently he jumped a 3- to 5-acre fire at Yellowstone National Park.

The fire grew to 8 acres, “So seven days later we got around everything, put it all out and essentially with a good product upon departure. So it’s just a classic example of a smokejumper fire.”

Holloway says staying fit for annual trainings, regardless of experience, is critical to staying fire-ready.

“Pushups, pullups, sit-ups, a certain amount and then a mile and a half in a certain time as well,” said Holloway.

Kitchen told NBC Montana he still does his pullups, pushups and sit-ups.

“Many of my colleagues are still in really fit shape even in their 60s, 70s and 80s,” he said.

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