Crystal Park

Montana

The mention of rockhounding at the motel in Twin Brdges had everyone asking if we were going to Crystal Park. We hadn't heard about it but thought it might be fun to check it out. We were given directions to the site by one of the locals. Crystal park is located a ways from the town of Dillon Montana up in the mountains. The cattle roam free in the meadows around there and we passed a couple of them in the roadway. At our destination we found the geologic history of Crystal Park is displayed in a series of billboards. We took the time to read about the crystals and absorb as much information as we could. The billboards showed quartz cystals and amethyst and their different formations. The first thing I learned about digging for the crystals is in order to be effective you need to have a good quarter inch screen and a shovel. I also found that my rock pick was useful to break up the dirt matrix that the crystals are formed in. There are pits everywhere in the digging areas so be careful if you have pets or kids. I found a spot halfway up the hill and screened dirt for an hour or so. I then went looking for my Mom and Aunt. I walked around the trail until I was getting near the parking lot, I was contemplating a trip to the car when I saw our friend coming up the trail. I waved and greeted her then we went for a walk around the trail until we came to the place Lynda and Shirley were digging. I poked around in their area and found a big crystal under a tree stump. I stayed and dug around there for awhile. It was getting to be past 4:00 and we all decided it was time to pack it in. We found a lot of crystals and it was good fun.