Experience Québec
In the belly of the Gaspésie
Lovely lava
Treasures buried in the heart of an ancient volcano? A panorama that would make a blind man sigh? All that in Québec? And if I were to mention the Chic-Chocs wildlife reserve, what would you say? Well! With hammer in hand and boot-clad feet, you’ll waken the sleeping explorer in you! Prepare yourself for an unforgettable family experience, one of a kind in North America, at Mont Lyall. Explorers, let the treasure hunt begin!
Do you recall the archaeologist’s advice? Basically, it went like this: simply by grasping the tools and donning the boots, you ignite the flame of your inner explorer. After sifting through the earth at Pointe-du-Buisson, we’re adding a pick to our shovel and pail and setting off on a geode hunt accompanied by Danielle Duguay and Éric Bluteau, our friendly prospector-owners. 
Mont Lyall is a veritable open-pit agate mine. At an altitude of 936 m (3,070 ft.), in the heart of the Chic-Chocs wildlife reserve , in Gaspésie, it is the only deposit in North America open to the public. For over 350 million years, this unique site has been home to an abundant supply of semi-precious stones. Here, volcanic eruptions formed the incandescent rivers of the Palaeozoic era and left behind an incredible quantity of these famous geode.Volcano tears… or a volcanic bubble bath?
Some poets liken geodes to a “volcano’s tears,” but the reality is much more practical than that. They are, in fact, bubbles that formed in the lava at the time of the eruption and which were compressed by the pressure of gases. Yup, just like bubble bath or, for that matter, Aero chocolate bars!At Mont Lyall, the semi-precious stones are dispersed according to altitude. At the summit, you’ll find red porphyritic felsite, in the centre, basalt, and at the base, rhyolite. In other words, the stones you’ll harvest could have the sparkle of agates or amethyst, or perhaps the colours of translucent quartz or even the warmth of citrine. Stones with interesting names, like jasper, carnelian and chalcedony, appear like intact jewels.
Ready, set, dig!
Bring your lunch, a backpack, comfortable boots and work gloves, and get set to enjoy a unique and educational experience at Mont Lyall. There’s no need to be a full-fledged miner to delve completely into the fascinating world of the semi-precious stone hunters; a brief training session is offered to budding prospectors of all ages. Numerous services are available to visitors to make things easier: picnic area, lookout, free outdoor parking, souvenir shop, stone sawyers and guide.
Plan three hours for your treasure hunt, and don’t forget to top off your day with a brief visit to the stone sawyers, where you will be rewarded for your labours. The look of wonder on your little prospectors’ faces? Priceless!
Nature’s wonders
Getting your hands dirty not really your style? No problem! Sharpen your sense of observation, arm yourself with your camera and get ready to be intoxicated by Mother Nature and her spectacular panoramas. Wander about this part of the Appalachians at your own pace and leave the prospecting to others. In short, a visit to Mont Lyall is anything but dull! Prospectors and hikers, prepare yourself to ascend the mountain and experience a magical, unique and emotion-filled adventure!
| Getting there |
 Coming from the north, via Sainte-Anne-des-Monts (57 km / 35 m.), or the south, via New Richmond (80 km / 50 mi.), take route 299 towards the Gîte du Mont-Albert to the junction of the Route du lac Sainte-Anne. Next, head in the direction of Murdochville (1.5 km / 0.9 mi. on a gravel road). |
| Mont Lyall in a nutshell |
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Karine Miron & André Quenneville
Photos: Mine d'agates du Mont Lyall
2009-05-28
