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Our nearby Idaho Star Garnet hunting area |
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March 7, 2018 |
If you had plans to take the kids or the
grandkids, or out-of-state visitors, or just
yourself, to the Emerald Creek Garnet area to
search for Idaho Star Garnets, our state gem,
then you need to be aware of some schedule
changes for the popular area.
 The
Emerald Creek Garnet Area will open for the
upcoming season on Friday, June 29, 2018; five
weeks later than the normal opening which would
be over Memorial Day weekend. The delay is
required to allow the Forest Service to excavate
and stockpile the garnet-bearing gravel for
visitors to sift through.
According to the Idaho Panhandle National Forest
website, "In the past, people would dig in the
stream bed in search of the garnets. Now, due to
concerns for water quality, aquatic habitat, and
public safety, the Forest Service provides a
stockpile of garnet bearing gravels from which
people can gather material to run through one of
two sluice boxes in search of garnets."
This excavation and stockpiling work is often
completed in the fall, so as to not impact the
visitor experience during the summer months.
Unfortunately, conditions this past fall were
not conducive to completing the excavation work
in a way that minimizes disturbances to water
and soil quality. The excavation work has been
postponed to begin in May or early June 2018,
allowing for drier conditions to conduct the
work with minimal disturbances to natural
resources.
Located near Clarkia, Idaho (south of St. Maries
in Shoshone County), the Emerald Creek Garnet
Area is a popular rock-hounding destination,
attracting local and international visitors and
families. According to the website of the Idaho
Panhandle National Forest, "There are only two
places in the world where one can find Star
Garnets— India and right here on the Idaho
Panhandle National Forests! The garnets found
here are called "star garnets" because of a
unique property that causes some of them to
display a reflection like a four or six pointed
star."
(Story continues below this map)
At the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, the Forest
Service provides garnet bearing material as well
as tools for sifting and sluicing to aid in
finding the gems. Fees are charged to help
maintain the facilities.
The area will be open this year from June 29
through Labor Day. Hours are Friday through
Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Note that the
area is closed on Wednesdays and on Thursdays.
Permits are available at the site and cost $10
for adults and $5 for children age 6-12. NO
credit cards are accepted. Fees can be paid with
cash or check only.
 A
half-mile hike is required to reach the area.
You can download the Emerald Creek Garnet area
brochure by clicking here.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3831205.pdf
For additional information, please visit
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ipnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5076397
You can also contact the St. Joe Ranger District
office in St. Maries at 208-245-2531.
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