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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS....

** Info about mine tours,can always be found on the web site ,I you would please take the time to read the information we provide,we are open sundays for sure year round,other various days are also offered each month,and we always post info on open days where it can be found,if you cant find the date you are looking for ,we are not open at all or we have sold out that ,day and removed it from the list so we dont continue to get emails and phone calls ,for days we are not open or are sold out ,so please help us out by doing a bit of research before you send in your reservation request,we will always provide you with the info you need ,if you would please read it.

** When are the mine tours available? Sundays ONLY year round. Please check the reservation page for actual dates.

** 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.

** If you are planning a summer visit all Sunday dates are available. We choose to post only about 2 months at a time for online reservations.

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

** 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 covered. 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.

** Why aren't certain dates shown? We have enough activity taking care of near term reservations.

** 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 on Thursday between 4PM and 8PM PST.

** What if the date im looking for is not shown ? That means it is SOLD OUT. However, keep a eye on the website yellow box since spots do often open up. Check back Wed. or Thurs. Spots often pop up open again as spots need to be filled. It happens every week.

** Can I bring my baby(ies) along? Sure but you need to attend to them at all times.

** 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? At 10:30AM sharp.

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

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

** I cant find the day I want. That means the date is completely filled. Choose another date.

** How often is the mine open? Sundays ONLY and various other days to the general public but generally Year Round.

** 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 of your trip to see if the DIG is on.

** What if I have to cancel? Please email us your name and date of cancellation 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? Yes we do. The rates are NOT discounted. Please contact us by making comments on your reservation request.

** Can we dig inside the mine? Absolutely not. Digging is allowed outside at the screening area only.

** Should we bring food and water? Absolutely. The mine does NOT provide these but we do have picnic tables and shade.

** Does the mine have restroom facilities? Yes we have a fully functional restroom facility.

** 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.

** Who wins disputes at the mine? Sorry but we do. We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they disrupt our operations.

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

** 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. It is a distraction to all others that are in attendance.

** 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 the tools, buckets, screens. You can bring storage containers. Bring shoes if you plan on taking the mine tour though. No sandals.

** Are we open on other days? YES. Check the reservations pages. We are generally only open on SUNDAYS to the general public.

** When is the dig over? 3PM sharp. All visitors should be packed or 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 Sunday? NO, NO and NO. This area is on private property. Do not visit until Sunday!

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

** Do we allow observers? We have no way of telling so all participants must have a payed 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.

** Do we offer discounts? NO.

** 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. Whatever you screen you get to keep. There is no removal of material from inside the mine however.

** What if I sent in a reservation and have not heard back from you in a few days ? Please check your email again and your spam folder make sure it's not there. Computer glitches happen on both ends but if you're sure - send another asking about it so we get it right. We are booked right to the numbers and have no room for error. So together lets get it right!

** Are you ever open any days but Sunday ? Yes. We are starting to mix it up with some Saturday and Friday bookings in addition to the Monday holidays.

** When will you call me ? We call each group starting Sunday nite and by Monday nite 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 fit into a hardhat they can participate in the screening and underground tour. If they can not properly fit into a hardhat then they can participate in the screening only.

** The road to the mine is passable by passenger car. The road is graded regularly. No 4WD necessary.

** Only STOCK cars or higher clearance (like 4wd) will make it to the mine. No low riders will make it. Sorry.