Any gold in Jemez?

[Bigboyblue]

I recently went to find the spanish queen mine with no success , I stopped at soda dam and took a few samples of dirt. Nothing but a lot of mica was found. I live in Albuquerque. Are there any spots in jemez that has gold?

 

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[hvacker]

Historically Jemez Springs is mentioned in Sandoval County along with Placitas and Cochiti but nothing on quantity mined. This is from Northrop, Minerals of NM. 1959. I don't have anything on the Spanish Queen except that it's somewhere in the Jemez District. Santa Fe County seems to be more active. In the Sandia's Tijeras Canyon area especially Hell Canyon but I'm not sure how much of the area in on Kirtland.

If I were to try Jemez I would probably take hwy 4 up to where the stop sign splits and go right to the campground that has the waterfall. I'd pan under the fall. You might need to be a bit sneaky though.

 

[Bigboyblue]

I went today in the railroad tunnels in Jemez and found nothing.

 

[hvacker]

Those are not RR tunnels. No railroad ever there. Car tunnels. I guess I might expect no gold being it's a bit far from the mountain. When you sampled by Soda Dam was the flow slow enough to get under the the flow? That's where any gold might settle. For those not familiar, Soda Dam is a natural limestone dam and is worth a peek if ever close. Problem being, that is a very public area. Probably a bad idea. But even in dry times the flow off that rock can be impressive and that's why I suggested the waterfall a few miles upstream. Actually I might try it.
I'll have to call Snakeyes and see if he is a hankering.

 

[Bigboyblue]

Yes the rail road tunnels are called the Gilman Tunnels. Thats where i recently went after finding no succes with soda dam. But I might have to go check out that waterfall too.

 

[hvacker]

I know some people that are knowledgeable about mining in NM. I'll ask about the Spanish Queen.

 

[Bigboyblue]

Ill ask tomorrow too, Im thinking of going the GPANM meeting

 

[hvacker]

I just recently (Jan) joined the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral club. I was surprised how large and active they are. Meetings are the fourth Monday of the month at the Natural History Museum. 7: 00 PM. Check the web page if interested. I was surprised how connected they are with NM mines. A monthly field trip to places I didn't know how to locate or get access to. One coming up is to the San Pedro Mountains where there are gold claims. The mountains south of Golden and seems connected geologically to Madrid where the largest gold deposit was found in the early 1800's. It's still being mined.
Just thought I'd let you know.

 

[hvacker]

I did find this on the Spanish Queen. No gold though.

Spanish Queen mine, Jemez Springs District, Sandoval Co., New Mexico, USA

 

[andrew1957]

I have found a few tiny flakes over the years, south of the Girl Scout camp.
And here's a link to the Santa Fe Northwestern railway, that hauled logs through those same
tunnels, to Bernalillo.

Jemez Mountains Railroads, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico (Santa Fe Northwestern Railway)

 

[hvacker]

I have found a few tiny flakes over the years, south of the Girl Scout camp.
And here's a link to the Santa Fe Northwestern railway, that hauled logs through those same
tunnels, to Bernalillo.

Jemez Mountains Railroads, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico (Santa Fe Northwestern Railway)

That's interesting history. It seems all evidence of a RR has disappeared. Next time I go I'll look a bit harder.

 

[I wanna be a miner]

The Spanish Queen mine is directly across from my house. There seems to be a bit of debate about it's exact location, because on my property there is a copper mine from several years back. I have had several persons from different colleges in NM come to my house and ask to explore the area. Of course I let them, but only if they agree that I'm not responsible for any loses or injuries. I've found many copper pieces but no gold. It might be possible to find some gems around here, at least the college persons believe so.

 

[Goose-0]

Well, follow through with your name...'I wanna be a miner'. Look around and try to eyeball copper and maybe diamonds. I'll bet you find some goodies.

 

[Prospector247]

If anyone want to find gold there is gold here but plz make sure you have a permit.i live in Albuquerque New Mexico so get on I 40 east get off on tijeras go to north 14 about 16 miles to a road called golden turn east with would a right turn there will be a hill road don't drive to the top on bottom of that hill left or right will be a dirt road any where there will be gold.an make sure you bring water if your panning.there are also garnets there root beer garnets green garnets and others if you go further in the mountain you will start seeing crystals

 

[Prospector247]

I've searched all jemas mountains and found nothing except diamonds but if your looking for gold I also live in Albuquerque make sure you have a permit go to I 40 east to tijeras go north on N14 about 16 miles to a road called golden turn right don't go up the hill take the road to the left or right on bottom of hill any where there is lots of gold if your panning take water

 

[xxJimboxx]

Just curious how did you locate the area there off of N14? I want to check it out! Sounds great...

 

[hvacker]

I think he's talking about San Pedro mountain. I've gone to a claim there with the rock club to look for linerite specimens. The mountain is heavily claimed and has been for years.
The mine I was at mainly mined galena. San Pedro is next door to the Ortiz Mountain that was the largest gold strike in New Mexico and was still being mined but I saw no activity from Google Earth awhile back.

If you drive N on 14 the San Pedro mountain is just before the town of Golden E of the highway and bordered to the S by highway 344. Do your research because like I said it's heavily claimed.

 

[hvacker]

I should mention the San Pedro is almost all public land but with a large part being private. If you go to the BLM office they have a surface management map of the area for about $10. You'll need to get claim information from I think the resource division but it's been a long time since I had to do that.

 

[Sparklejwa]

Prospector247: Hello! I am intrigued by your Diamond comment and was wondering if it was a typo or if you’ve really found diamonds. I live in Jemez Springs and I’m always collecting. Recently I got it in my head that there had to be gold up here but have had no luck so far! However I too have found what I believe to be diamonds and am fairly sure they aren’t quartz crystals. Does anyone know if a diamond tester would work on a rough specimen, or if diamond testers only work on cut stones? Thanks in advance!

 

[Joeg594]

permit

Prospector. What kind of permit do we need?