Rockhounding Montana, 2nd A Guide to 91 of Montana's Best Rockhounding Sites

by Hodges, Montana; Feldman, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780762736829
• ISBN10: 0762736828
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-01
• Publisher: FalconGuides

Summary

A complete guide to popular collecting sites in Montana and source-book brimming with advice on collecting and preparing gems and minerals .

Author Biography

Montana Hodges was born in California and was named Montana by her parents for no particular reason. The name fit, and since the time she was old enough to drive, Montana has found herself traveling across the Big Sky, seriously committed to summer rockhounding trips. Every summer, the rocks she brought home seemed to double. Rock and mineral collecting have been a hobby for years and inspired her to double major in geology and journalism at California State University Sacramento. Today, she and her Dalmatian, "Lucky," reside between Montana and California.

Robert Feldman is a retired public school earth science teacher who lives with his wife, Claudia, in Billings, Montana. Bob has three grown children, Barb, Tom, and David, who have frequently accompanied him on fossil collecting outings. He developed an interest in invertebrate paleontology at an early age and spends considerable time studying the subject. Along with his family, he has explored Montana's mining districts and fossil fields, intent on learning as much as he can about Montana's past.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Montana's Geologic Introduction	p. 4
Montana's State Gems	p. 8
Rockhounding	p. 10
Collecting Regulations and Etiquette	p. 11
How to Use This Book	p. 13
Safety	p. 15
Ten Vistas for Your Montana Journey	p. 16
Rockhounding Sites in Montana
Whitefish Mountains	p. 23
Troy	p. 26
Libby Creek	p. 27
Fishtrap Creek	p. 30
Vermilion Road	p. 32
Cox Gulch	p. 33
Bynum/Choteau	p. 35
Augusta	p. 37
Sun River	p. 38
Belt	p. 39
Superior	p. 41
Kalispell	p. 44
Craig	p. 47
Loma	p. 49
Neihart	p. 50
Dearborn River	p. 52
Mike Horse Creek	p. 55
Blackfoot River	p. 56
Coopers Lake	p. 58
Rattler Gulch	p. 59
Clark Fork River	p. 61
Helmville	p. 63
Lolo Hot Springs Area	p. 64
Snowbird Mine	p. 66
Eightmile Creek	p. 69
Darby Mine	p. 71
Marysville Mine Tailings	p. 73
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine	p. 76
Elliston	p. 80
Montana City	p. 83
Argo Mine	p. 84
Clancy and Strawberry Butte	p. 86
Deer Lodge	p. 88
Basin	p. 89
Flint Creek Hill	p. 91
Philipsburg	p. 93
Gem Mountain	p. 95
Homestake Pass	p. 97
Rader Creek	p. 99
Calvert Loop	p. 101
Quartz Hill	p. 104
Crystal Park	p. 106
Norris	p. 109
Dillon	p. 111
Argenta Mine Tailings	p. 114
Clark Canyon Reservoir	p. 116
Warm Springs Creek	p. 117
Sweetwater Road	p. 120
Ruby Reservoir	p. 122
Virginia City	p. 125
Rochester Mining District	p. 127
Benton Creek	p. 130
Castle Town	p. 132
Lemhi Pass	p. 134
Spencer, Idaho	p. 136
Gallatin Petrified Forest	p. 138
Bozeman Pass	p. 142
Hyalite Canyon	p. 144
Squaw Creek	p. 146
Big Sky	p. 147
Red Cliff	p. 149
Gardiner	p. 150
Daisy Pass	p. 151
Malta	p. 153
Dinosaur Field Station	p. 156
The Little Rockies	p. 158
Fossil Hill	p. 159
Bear Creek	p. 160
Yellow Water Reservoir	p. 164
Sidney	p. 166
Judith Peak	p. 168
Crystal Lake	p. 171
Yogo Creek	p. 173
Fallon	p. 176
Glendive	p. 177
Ryegate	p. 181
Roundup to Melstone	p. 184
Miles City	p. 185
Fort Union Formation	p. 187
Forsyth	p. 188
Castle Rock Lake	p. 189
Roundup	p. 190
Flatwillow Creek	p. 191
Lavina	p. 193
Riverfront Park	p. 195
South Hills	p. 197
Stratford Hill	p. 198
Red Dome	p. 200
Pryor Mountains	p. 202
Belfry	p. 206
Beartooth Chromite Mine	p. 207
Glossary	p. 209
Further Reading	p. 213
Finding Maps, Land Managers, and Information	p. 214
Rock Shops in Montana	p. 216
Index	p. 217
About the Authors	p. 219
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