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Finding Gemstones on the Beach in Montana

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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

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.

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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

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

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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

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

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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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Griz outlast power outage, surge to big win – University of Montana Athletics

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Griz outlast power outage, surge to big win – University of Montana Athletics


The power went out inside Dahlberg Arena on Wednesday evening, delaying the opening tip of the Montana men’s basketball game by nearly two hours. Once the electricity returned to campus, the Grizzly men lit things up inside Dahlberg Arena.
 
Montana reached the 100-point mark for the third time this season, winning 102-46 over the Salish Kootenai Bison.  The Grizzlies improved to 6-5 on the season with the win.
 
As a team, Montana shot 70.5 from the floor and 44.0 percent from three-point range. It’s the first time since 1968 that Montana has shot over 70 percent from the floor in a game. It’s also the 5th best shooting percentage by a D-I team this season.
 
Money Williams had a double-double, his third of the season, finishing with 10 points and 11 assists. It’s the second time in Williams’ career that he has finished with 10 assists in a single game.
 
He wasn’t the only Grizzly to reach double figures in the assist department. Tyler Isaak recorded his first career double-double with a new career high 10 assists to go along with 16 points. It’s the first time in program history that two different players have recorded 10 or more assists in the same game.
 
It was a highly efficient night for Isaak, who played just 24 minutes and went 6-of-7 from the floor.
 
It was a complete team effort for Montana with 10 of the 11 players dressed scoring in the contest. Connor Dick (15) and Amari Jedkins (13) both scored career highs in the victory.

 
The Grizzlies had seven players reach double figures, the most in a single game in program history. Te’Jon Sawyer (13), Brooklyn Hicks (13), and Tyler Thompson (11) joined the previously four mentioned players in double figures.
 
The assists played a big role in that with Montana sharing the ball plenty. They recorded 30 team assists on the night, the second most in a game in program history. The Grizzlies had a 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the night.

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The Grizzlies held Salish Kootenai to just 27 percent shooting and a 6-of-30 (.200) mark from three-point range. Montana’s size played a huge factor on the night as the Grizzlies outrebounded the Bison 47-25 and outscored them 60-20 in the paint.
 
Montana scored 16 points off dunks as they broke out into the open court on several occasions for highlight reel slams. They also owned a 22-0 advantage in fastbreak points.
 
Montana jumped out to a 13-2 lead before the first media timeout and never looked back in win. They set the tone early from the three-point line, opening the game 4-of-7 from the arc to help build the early lead.
 
It was a balanced first half offensively and the Griz were able to go on five individual runs of at least six straight points with nine different players scoring in the opening 20 minutes. The Grizzlies went 8-of-17 from the arc and shot 65.5 percent from the field in the first half.
 
Williams’ 8th assist of the opening half went to Amari Jedkins. The Grizzly forward knocked down a corner three to send Montana into the halftime break ahead 50-17.

 
The Grizzlies didn’t let up in the second half, going on two separate 12-0 runs and winning the second period 52-29 for the big victory.
 
Montana will get a week off before returning home next Wednesday night to face Montana Tech at 7:00 p.m. The Orediggers are 8-3 on the season.
 





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Live Updates: Montana State leads SFA 7-0 in the first quarter

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Live Updates: Montana State leads SFA 7-0 in the first quarter


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Frigid Friday – several inches of snow in parts of the area

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Frigid Friday – several inches of snow in parts of the area


A band of moderate snow has formed from the Cut Bank area, extending southeast across Chouteau, Fergus, and Judith Basin Counties. Be alert for low visibility and slick road conditions. Icy conditions continue in Lewis & Clark and Broadwater counties, where snow fell on top of ice after some freezing rain overnight. Up to a 1/4″ of ice has been reported on cars and sidewalks. Freezing rain may mix in again this morning as milder air begins to move back in.

Today’s Forecast:

Frigid Friday, several inches of snowfall in parts of the area-Friday, December 12

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It will be a frigid today, with high temperatures in the 0s and lower 10s across central and eastern Montana, and mid to upper 30s in Helena.

The snow band will continue throughout the day, bringing several inches of snow to areas east of I-15. The band of snow will gradually push east tonight, impacting Blaine, Phillips, and Valley counties overnight. Snow showers taper off by Saturday morning.

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Snow Forecast

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Expect difficult driving conditions through Saturday morning, especially east of I-15 and into the mountains.

Arctic air slowly retreats north on Saturday. Temperatures start off in the -10s to near 0 on the Hi-Line and in the 0s for central Montana, then climb to the 0s and 10s for the Hi-Line and 10s to 20s in central Montana by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, it will be a pleasant weekend in Helena with temperatures in the low 40s. A gusty breeze develops on Sunday, as temperatures warm nicely into the low to mid 40s in central Montana and into the 30s in northeast Montana.

Looking ahead to next week, mild and windy conditions kick off the workweek, followed by active weather returning midweek.

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