Blewett Pass WA club claims, or nah?

[OwenT]

I want to get up to the pass area and do some prospecting, I did try some panning up there a few months ago but didn't really know what I was doing and came out empty handed. Anyway, are there good spots to go that aren't on claims, or should I join a club and which one is better? I was considering joining bedrock prospectors, they have a few claims on scotty and shaser creek which just seem cooler to me, and also N Central Wa Prospectors who have a few more claims but they're mostly all on the highway (boring). Also I heard that From Liberty Rd to the pass and within 200 ft of the highway is open to anyone, is that true and is there good gold to be found or do I need to head to a club claim?

 

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[et1955]

Hi OwenT, first check out this video on youtube "Liberty Gold Mine Geology" by professor Zentner. This will explain why 16 lb. nuggets are found there plus wire gold. Both clubs you mentioned are great and they have a lot of experience mining that area. You will have to make the choice, go it alone or join a club and learn all you can from the members and also you may make some new friends too plus find some gold, you will be richer in all ways. Ed

 

[Thurman]

Hey OwenT,

Not true as to the open areas near Liberty to the pass. That was true a few years back but the withdrawn area was closed and claimed up to a fair thee well. There is a prospecting club in Gold Bar that has several claims near Liberty and other streams (Prospectors Plus, is the name I remember - they have a web site). Might be worth contacting if you live nearby. Pretty tough driving to get to the better claims - and then the gold is iffy. Not like Oregon, Calif., and Arizona.

Good Luck!

 

[et1955]

Hi OwenT. check with the ranger station about that area, I know the area is open. Pm me and I will explain. Ed

 

[Doug Watson]

I heard rumors that the area along the highway is back open but not sure. Other than that it's really hard to find ground along any of the creeks that's not under claim in that area. A club would be the best bet.

 

[Clay Diggins]

Why listen to rumors? Try the Land Matters Washington Mining Claims Map with Land Status. You might be surprised.

Heavy Pans

 

[Doug Watson]

The area being talked about is an area that I believe has been withdrawn and open to the public so wouldn't be shown as a claim.

 

[SLNugget]

A check of the Master Title Plat should show any withdrawn ground. (I think)

 

[et1955]

This area has always been open to the public, not allowed to be claimed, it has been listed with the Gpaa and Wpma as open to the public, I have mined those areas with success. Land Matters does not show sadly such areas or the boundaries of the claims. So again check with the ranger station, good luck, Ed

 

[Clay Diggins]

Stan has it right. You need to check the MTP.

I did that for you.

The only withdrawal is the 200 foot withdrawal for Hwy 93 (Public Land Order 4518 August 28, 1968).

The land is not open to claim because it's not public land, it's reconveyed Railroad land since 1944. Until the Secretary of Agriculture makes a determination otherwise it's not open to prospecting or claiming. You can however apply for an oil and gas lease.

You don't have to take my word for it just look at the Master Title Plat yourself. You might just find something very interesting.

Heavy Pans

 

[Bonaro]

The withdrawn area on the liberty side of blewett pass is actually the right-of-way for highway 97. The property is owned by DOT not BLM and therefore not available for staking a claim. "open" is a different issue because the state DOT will probably not grant permission to mine, especially at the road crossings where mining activities may undermine the road

 

[SLNugget]

Just FYI - I was over at Blewett Pass area last Saturday and dredgers were shoulder to shoulder in the creeks. The creeks were very, and I mean very low in the higher locations. And it was hot I left AZ to get away from the heat and there's a record breaking heat wave up here. Fun time getting out an looking around anyway.