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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS....

** Info about mine tours can always be found on the web site. Please take the time to read the information we provide. We are open Sundays, three Thursdays, one Monday and one Saturday per month. Check the reservation page for actual days.

** What are the mine hours? Sunday only from 10:30AM to 3:00PM for the general public.

** Where are we located? We are located in Pala, California. A map will be provided once you make a reservation request.

** Do we offer discounts? NO. It takes a lot of time and costs us money to set up for each group.

** What do I do if I need to know things? How can I talk to someone? Start by reading the website. We almost never get asked a question that has not already been asked. You can find your own answers and remember the week of your mine trip we will call you to go over more details. You can ask us questions then. We always call if your reservation was valid.

** I cant find the Liability Release Form. It is located in the VIP Download. If you have a legitimate reservation we will call you the week of your visit. If not you need to call us a few days before your visit between 4PM and 8PM PST.

** What if the date I'm looking for is not shown ? That means it is SOLD OUT. However, keep a eye on the Short Term Reservations link since spots do often open up a few days before. It happens nearly every week.

** What do I need to bring? Please read the other web pages as well as the downloaded map accessible after you make your reservation.

** What time should we arrive at the mine? 10:30AM sharp.

** What will the weather be like? Check the main digforgems page and click the temperature box.

** I cant find the map - Go to the home page and click the VIP download link.

** What do I need to bring? Bring your own water and food. Also bring suitable footwear to take the mine tour. This is outlined in several places on the website as well as the VIP Download.

** What happens if it is going to rain? Check the website the morning by clicking the Current Dig Status link on te main web page.

** What if I have to cancel? Please email us your reservation name and scheduled date of attendance as soon as possible.

** Can my children go in the mine? If and only if a hardhat fits them properly. No exceptions.

** Do you offer group reservations? Contact us directly with your reservation request at 760-415-9143. We will consider opening any day if there are 15 or more people.

** Can we dig inside the mine? NO. Digging is only allowed outside at the screening area.

** Should we bring food and water? YES. The mine does NOT provide these but we do have picnic tables and shade. We are also selling water now for $1.00 per bottle.

** Does the mine have restroom facilities? YES. Two fully functional restrooms onsite.

** Does the mine have parking on site? Yes we have plenty of room.

** Does the mine have items for sale? We have minerals, tshirts, gemstones,and jewelry for sale. Credit cards may be used for gift shop sales only.

** Do we need a printed out and studied map, release form, copy of our reservation and cash for fees? YES.

** Does my reservation request guarantee a reservation? NO. You must be contacted back by us before the trip.

** Can I let my pet roam around? NO PETS ARE ALLOWED ON SITE.

** Can I bring my camera? Sure. The mine will not be operating while you are screening. You might catch a shot of a hawk, mule or deer.

** Do we need to bring digging tools? NO. We supply all tools, buckets, screens. Bring your own storage containers. Bring shoes to the mine tour - no sandals allowed in the mine due to safety.

** When is the dig over? 3PM sharp. Visitors should be packing up and heading back down the mountain.

** Is this the mine featured on the Travel Channel? YES

** Am I allowed to come up before Thursday or Sunday? NO. Please dont this is private property. Respect our neighbors!

** How long should I wait for a confirmation? A few days generally but no other information is provided until the week of your visit when we confirm that you will actually show up. At that time you will be given a password for the VIP Download.

** Do we allow observers? NO. All visitors must have a paid reservation.

** What is a Family Four Pack? You get one table with two sets of screens. One adult and child per screen to share. It runs $200 total vs $220.

** If you have a question that is not addressed here do not submit a reservation. Please email us at freespool1@cox.net

** Do you get to keep the gems we find? YES. What you screen you keep. However, there is no removal of material from inside the mine at any time.

** What if I sent in a reservation and have not heard back from you in a few days ? Please check your spam folder make sure it's not there. Computer glitches happen. We are booked right to the numbers and have no room for error!

** When will you call me ? We call each group starting Sunday night and by Monday night you will have heard from us! If it is the week of your mine visit, and you are on the list of course.

** If you have children under 12 years old and they fit into a hardhat they can take the underground tour. If they can not properly fit into a hardhat they can only participate in the outside screening.

** The road to the mine is passable by passenger car. The road is graded regularly. No 4WD necessary but low riders will not make it.

** What do i do if i need to cancel? This is important we always have others who want to come ,so please let us know as soon as you know ,if its thursday let simon know if its a sunday let jeff know ,remember we put alot of work into each set up filling tubs of water mending screens ect,if your not going to show up we are losing time ,water ,and money we are on well water also and dont like to waste it ,we dont require deposits (yet) so relize how much work we put into each reservation ,and set up thanks Jeff

** We do ship mine tailings anywhere in the USA ,right to your door call Simon Kingat 619 991-2226 for details to order

** What is the bring a scout deal ? Easy - Scout troops,will get a discount $80 for both parent and scout working together on the same screen we will do our part to make this something scouts can afford min-of 10 people per group pleaee

** what do i do ,if its the week of my mine trip, and i have not heard from you ??? #1 please listen to your messeges on the phone number you provided at when you made your reservation ,9 times out of 10 we are waiting for you to call us and check in so we can provide you your password,IF your contact info is not there please then send us a email i will find out why right away thanks