AZ Members Can I use my Mini Highbanker in the Superstition Mountain wilderness area?

[Frghtshkr]

Can anyone answer this? I have a mini HB that I wanted to try out on the Tortilla creek up past Tortilla Flats. Doubt I will find anything but its close for me and I wouldnt have to lug water.

I cant seem to get an answer on this. I know within the state park boundaries I cant do anything and removal of dirt out of the wilderness area I was told was only 2 handfuls.

Thanks

 

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[Desertphile]

The geology of the Superstition Mountains is not conducive to bearing gold. There is no gold in the Superstition Mountains worth the effort to extract.(The "Lost Dutchman's" gold did not come from the Superstitions.) To find gold you need to look around the base of the mountain range, to the southeast.

 

[Desertphile]

P.S. Have you looked to see if there are active claims in the area? That will help you answer the question. Tortilla Flats = TOWNSHIP: AZ,14,2,0,N,9,0,E,12,UNSURVEYED

 

[Desertphile]

Admin State = AZ
Case Disposition = A||ACTIVE, C||CLOSED, P||PENDING, V||VOID
Meridian Township Range Section = 14 0020N 0090E 012,
Geo State = AZ

Serial Num Mer Twn Rng Sec Quad Claim Name/Number Claimant(s) Lead File Case Type Status Loc Dt Last Assmt
AMC102246 14 0020N 0090E 012 SW,SE GOLD DIGGER WALSH CARROLL 384101 CLOSED 4/15/1980 1 9 8 7
AMC141462 14 0020N 0090E 012 SW,SE V. A. TUNNEL BORSELLA VALENTINE 384101 CLOSED 10/1/1981 1 9 8 2
AMC219359 14 0020N 0090E 012 NE RAFTER B BAKER GENE 384201 CLOSED 4/8/1984 0 0 0 0
AMC221213 14 0020N 0090E 012 SW TOPAZ PLACER MINE THOMAS PHILIP 384201 CLOSED 4/12/1984 0 0 0 0
AMC265198 14 0020N 0090E 012 SW DAISY #1 WALSH CARROLL AMC265198 384101 CLOSED 2/17/1987 1 9 8 8
AMC265199 14 0020N 0090E 012 SW,SE DAISY #2 WALSH CARROLL AMC265198 384101 CLOSED 2/17/1987 1 9 8 8
AMC265200 14 0020N 0090E 012 SW,SE DAISY #3 WALSH CARROLL AMC265198 384101 CLOSED 2/17/1987 1 9 8 8

 

[ikesdad]

I thought that a federal Wilderness Area was closed to mineral extraction, unless you are referring to the term in general as out in the boonies.

 

[Frghtshkr]

I know you can at least pan there but dont know the exact rules. I know chances of finding any gold their would be slim and I dont believe the the dutchman found gold there either maybe out surprise way maybe.
I just was trying to find something closer to home. I usually run up to Wickenberg area but its at least 90 minutes and I can only carry so much water so I might get 6 buckets of material ran.
I know there is some areas past the Supe's towards Superior that some people find gold but dont know where.

 

[Frghtshkr]

DesertPhile- I havnt got the searching for claims on the internet down. I will try and look at these you provided

 

[roadrunner]

Do you belong to the gpaa?
There is a claim owned by them out here.
There is not much water, if any in any of our creeks or washes out here right now.

 

[2cmorau]

this might be of some help

Wilderness

 

[DDancer]

In wilderness area's no motorized equipment is allowed. Pick pan and shovel only is the general rule; though detectors are not considered motorized equipment. Problem with a detector will be the potential of stumbling on artifacts. I cant remember where the site is but the USFS has an outline on rules in wilderness areas.

 

[KevinInColorado]

You can also bring a sluice into a wilderness area ...unless explicitly forbidden by the local authorities (which would be a very questionable ban given the fed law authorizing wilderness areas!).