Hi Paul,

All 13 coordinates and a map for this Claims Group will be in the upcoming Pick & Shovel Gazette (which should hit mailboxes the first week of October). 

The Northwestern most corner of the group (just north of where the river runs into the claims grouping): 38° 3' 37.943" by -108° 9' 16.200"

The Southeastern most corner of the group (right where the river exits the grouping): 38° 3' 21.334" by -108° 8' 58.539"

Hope this helps for now. Keep an eye out for the next P&S.

-Greg

Awesome. Thanks Greg. That is exactly what I need for now. I am considering taking a trip up there next week.

Since I own the FLW I can tell you the best way to get to the site. First off go to the Online mining guide, it gives exact direction on how to get there. But the HWY coming out of Ridgeway 145 takes you right there, just don't plan on bringing a camper in there, you wont get it out. Travel passed the turnoff for Telluride and continue to mile marker 90-91, the claim is on the left and you will see the Corner Markers off the side of the road on the left. When you see the first one start slowing down because the turnoff is somewhat hidden. If you plan to camp bring heavy cold weather clothing, it gets butt cold at night as the cold air comes down the mountains. There are three islands you can dig but remember to stay two feet from the high water line and don't underbank or disturb vegetation. Be safe, there is a steep hill going to the river side and I always take a rope and tie it to a steel cable located near the concrete to lower myself down safely. You can do it without the rope, just watch yourself.

Caddis Flats Camp ground is just passed Placerville and has a great camp ground that is free to stay on. You can also go down to the Lower Beaver Creek campground that is just a few miles passed the FLW and River Gold 3&2, both are excellent camp sites. DO NOT PROSPECT on these camp sites, they are privately owned claims. I might come down and join you, I have another friend wanting to go down this weekend but I do have guest Saturday night. 4X4 is recommended but I have seen others go in with cars.

Happy diggings, and if you want to know a few other sites that are open to the public just give me a call. 970-773-0585.

 Benjamin

 

1. What is allowed?  Dredges, Highbankers, Hand tools only?

2. How deep is the water.  Is it wade-able?   In google earth the water appears to be deep and fast. 

3. You mention bring a rope to lower yourself down. It appears there a a couple of trails in that area leading off the road.  Are those available?

4. I assume snake boots are a good idea and how much of a problem is there with bears and lions as you had mentioned in your post about the Pinion Bridge site?

I am going to ask if you bring a dredge to let me know ahead of time, it can be very dangerous to lower a dredge down that hill, my wife was almost killed because somebody tied a knot wrong. You cannot highbank on the claim, but a river sluice and suction tubes are always allowed. The river is low right now because of the drought, so there are sections you can just work with knee high boots, but there is a very deep section to be weary of.

You can check the water level at this web site, https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=09172500&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

if it is over 200 do not attempt to cross the river, I have been sucked under and got very sick from swallowing a gulp of water before grabbing a hold of a rock and getting out. There are very shallow sections but as I said there is a very deep hole to watch out for. Some of the trails have been blocked by the BLM with boulders, so just use the trails available.

I have seen no Rattlesnakes on the FLW claim, only king snakes and garter snakes. But I was bitten this year by a Western Midget Faded Rattlesnake this year and it almost killed me on a near by claim. You can't hear them rattle because they are very small.

I always recommend carrying a side arm because lions and bears frequent the area, and there is a very old lion that they have been hunting for years that frequents the area.

Please fill your holes, stay 2 feet from the high water line, and don't underbank or disturb vegetation, this is Colorado Law. If you would please give me a situation report of how you did when you are done. You will find color, and bring a extra snuffer bottle to suck up mercury bb's off the bank, they are already amalgamated with gold. Just know what you are doing with mercury before you start and make sure you keep it under water in a air tight container. I can teach you the safe way to process it with a retort and reuse it. After all, we are cleaning up the river.