The group poses for a photo in the parking lot, including the appropriately named camp dog "Rocky."  Photo: Jake Schaible.

The sign on the jeep says it all. Here we go by Oceanview on the way to Pala Chief…  Photo: Angela Cannon.

The folks at Pala Chief Mine have a great operation.  Screening racks are set up for their own day-to-day operation.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

One of the pleasures of digging at Pala Chief Mine is the fabulous view.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Garry Cannon sets off along one of the many trails and roads that spread like a web over the vast site.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

All right, then, let's get to work.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Lots of choices for rockhounds: for instance, screening and picking through the tailings by the side of the road along the hillside.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Or on the slopes in the rubble.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Or in an adit like the one from which Garry Cannon emerges.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Or in the tailings outside an adit entrance.  Photo: Jake Schaible.

Heavy equipment sheltered in an adit.  Inset: A happy rockhound finds a nice triphane specimen.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Irene W. finds some impressive triphane crystals.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Yowza!  That pale kunzite is gorgeous.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

A really nice bi-colored tourmaline.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Meanwhile, other rockhounds 'round the bend are also having good luck.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

This large piece of quartz presents an interesting crystalline form.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

What a fascinating internal structure.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Here's another interesting find—a deeply etched kunzite(?) crystal.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

A good day's haul.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

Some schorl crystals and chunks of lepidolite.  Photo: Angela Cannon.

A nice clevelandite specimen.  Photo: Angela Cannon.