Hiding Cherry Jewels: An account of collecting at the Ruby Jewel Mine in Hardwood Lake, Ontario

By: Michal Adamowicz, rockhound

Today i got for you an article regarding the Ruby Jewel Mine, outside of Hardwood Lake. This is a very good site but like most things it has some issues while you collect there.

Lets now talk about how to reach the site.

Our trek begins at the intersection of highway 28 & 514 in Hardwood Lake, east of Bancroft. At this intersection turn right onto highway 28 & drive southeast for about 4.5-5 kilometers until you encounter the bridge over snake Creek (there will be a sign for Snake Creek over the bridge). Just past this bridge on the right side will be a road leading south, it will be about 200 meters from the bridge to this road. This road leads to the mine. There are a number of turns so try to follow along.

- Log 0.0km. At the intersection of highway 28 & the mine road, proceed onto the mine road. The road will curve to the left at a small clearing a few meters from the highway. Continue to follow the road to the left.

- log 0.3km later turn right after crossing a creek.

- log 0.5km, junction: turn right.

- log 1.2km, the road bends to the left.

- log 1.7. Ruby mine on the right.

Now this log may seem overly easy to follow but the problem is that the road to the mine is heavily overgrown, you can forget getting you car further then the small clearing near the highway. There are multiple fallen tress that block the road, a large marsh you need to go throo on foot, the road goes up over hilly terrain, multiple small streams that cut through the road & seriously erode it, there is even a section that a marsh has flooded the road and you can only carefully go around on foot. Overall getting to the mine is a very hard and long trek, you can expect to take about an hour just to get to the mine. Going there after it has rained is not a good idea. Be aware, the road looks as if it has not been used by anyone except hunters. So you will be quite alone with the wildlife. There are a few scenic sections along the road, such as the swamp & a canyon that you go throo as you near the mine. To reach this mine a GPS would be a very good idea so you don't get lost, the area is very overgrown. The GPS coordinates of the swamp are 45.18727 N/ -077.38984 W , the GPS coordinates of the mine are 45.180617 N/ -077.387514 W. Alright, lets hope you are there, so now lets begin collecting.

Here are some images from the site:

Here is the road leading to the mine, with highway 28 in the right side & the bridge over Snake Creek in the distance.


Here is the swamp that has flooded a section of the road.


Here is the mine, beyond the trees


Here is me with the mine in the back.


Here is some mine dumps.


So now lets talk collecting. For starters getting to the site is the main challenge. Since the road is virtually unusable you really need to go there on foot. You can take a small bike with you but on the way to the mine it will be more of a burden then an asset, it will be more useful on the way back as there is more options to use it downhill. You might be able to use an ATV but there are some heavily flooded sections so i would think that you probably couldn't. Going on foot is the only options. Since you are on foot weight will be a huge factor. Take only what you need, fist aid kit, lots of water, some food, and you tools with safety gear. You definitely will greatly benefit from a GPS here. Don't forget some kind of communication equipment, cell phone is a must but getting a signal might be difficult. It would be really handy to have you tools attached on your belt to make walking easier, and to be less of a strain on your back as you return. Wear good boots, you will need them. Also bring lost of bug spray, in June-May the black flies will eat you alive and the mosquitoes later in the season will drain you dry. You are going through swampy terrain after all.

Now after reading so far you might wonder why you would want to make this trek to the site. Well the rewards are plenty of small cherry red garnets are all over the site in biotite gneiss. They average 3 mm long, but some are 1 cm and over & most are very well formed. The smaller the garnet the brighter & more well formed it is. You can find some loose garnets but you will have much better luck just breaking you the dump material. There is too much organic matter such as leaves on the ground obscuring any small loose garnets. You best bet is to just break up the gneiss material & look for garnets there. Do not forget to give the mine wall a look before you leave the site.

Here are some samples from the site:

Some garnets in matrix. (12.2 x 7.1 cm)


Loose garnets. Size range 3mm to 1 cm


Here is my summary of this site:

Advantages:
1.) Abundance of Material. There is a lot of rocks containing garnet at the mine, no shortage of collecting potential.
2.) Easy to find site. If you follow the main trail & directions or use the GPS coordinates you can't miss the site.
3.) Well formed crystals occur.
4.) Scenic route. The trail to the mine has some nice scenic points such as a small marsh blocking the road, large canyon marsh, and a small canyon near the mine.
5.) The road to the mine is easy to locate from the highway as it is the first one on the right (south) side of the highway right after passing over Snake Creek.

Disadvantages:
1.) Bug Problem. the trip to the mine goes through an abundance of marshlands, so bug encounters will definitely happen. Bring lots of bug spray & an abundance of stubbornness.
2.) Degraded road. The road is badly degraded unsuitable to vehicles, ATV and even bikes. If you wish to give it a try with an ATV go ahead, but it wont be easy especially after it has rained. The road gets very narrow in some sections and very muddy in others, on foot is best.
3.) Distance & Time of trip. The way to the mine is will take you about 1 hour on foot one way. The trail goes over hilly terrain & wet areas, so have appropriate gear.
4.) Limitation of sample removal. Due to the great distance & the need to carry anything you find on your back you will be severely limited to how many samples you can carry out with you due to the weight.
5.) Potential for Lost. Because of a number of side trail leaving the main trail, and the fact that all the trail look to receive an equal amount of use there is a chance of getting disoriented & lost. You really need a GPS with you on this trek.

Overall i like this site. There is a great amount of garnets to be found here. The problem of course is the limitation of how much you can take out of the site due to the long walk. This is one site that you must plan well before visiting, it can be a half day site so you do not want to rush things. If you decide to take the trek do not do it lightly as is more dangerous then most. Animal encounters are more likely to occur here, be prepared. Don't visit during hunting season. Its best not to do it alone. Remember to have fun and explore safe as you follow the trail of the beaten path. Rockhound Safe & with Determination.

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