J Clapp Mine

[skyhawk1251]

I've posted Google Earth images of the J Clapp Mine before, but after viewing some YouTube videos I've noticed that some people are unable to associate Barry Storm's story about Jenkins Lost Lode with the place where the J Clapp Mine is now located. I've included Barry Storm's photo along with GE images of the mine. GPS coordinates for the mine are found at the bottom of the images. The mine is up Willow Creek, west of Hackberry Mesa. The mine adit looks to be mostly collapsed. I've been advised that there are other diggings above the mine, but I can't verify if that is true.

 

[Red_desert]

Looks interesting, is this in AZ?

 

[markmar]

Skyhawk, if you look better at the Storm's picture, you will see the dump was already there when the picture was shot.

A lot of "cream" was added from Storm around the story of the Jenkins lost gold ledge/mine. Keep a small basket while you are searching for a mine from Barry Storm publications. He wrote some accurate clues in every story, but all the other was something to write in regards to complete more pages.
IMO, all Jenkins stories written on paper or spoken in videos, were altered on purpose or because the lack of accurate informations. But if someone would know the actual location of that mine, would realize how in every story there have been revealed few clues which describe the area or the exact location of the gold mine.

Now about the "Jenkins map". Was not made by Jenkins because is a coded Spanish/Mexican treasure map, and for sure is not for the region shown in Storm's photo. Maybe was taken from a Mexican body after a massacre led by Apache. The map is for the same region of Jenkins mine, but not exactly for his mine.

 

[skyhawk1251]

markmar,

The quality of Barry Storm's photo as it was printed in "Thunder Gods Gold" is too poor to see a mine dump on the slope below Hackberry Mesa, so I can't agree that the dump was there when the photo was taken. I'm inclined to believe that it was not. I do agree with you, however, that Barry Storm only revealed some tantalizing clues in his tales, while keeping the real "meat" of the stories to himself. In some cases, his tales could be complete fiction.

What is important is that a mine is now there and the site can be explored by anyone who has the motivation to do so. There is a trail leading up to the mine, but the way is blocked in spots by heavy brush that will need to be cleared away to make the trail passable. Anyone who can get there might want to continue up towards the mesa to see what is there.

I think someone who lives locally could have on-the-ground photos of the mine site, but I have yet to see any such photos shared online. That is also true for many other interesting places in the Superstitions, including things noted in a video by Jack San Felice, who did a hike above Canyon Lake. His route map is shown below. There are places on that map that have undoubtedly been photographed, but the photos have never been shared publicly to my knowledge.

 

[skyhawk1251]

Red_desert,

Yes, that place is in AZ. Drive Apache Trail toward Canyon Lake. Jenkins, according to Barry Storm, parked just past the bridge, then he and his family hiked south along Willow Creek.

 

[Red_desert]

Red_desert,

Yes, that place is in AZ. Drive Apache Trail toward Canyon Lake. Jenkins, according to Barry Storm, parked just past the bridge, then he and his family hiked south along Willow Creek.

Ok Superstitions, familiar with a couple stories but not this one. There was a retired scientist name Roger Brown Ph D who lived in Phoenix. He was able to set up the mineral IR satellite with setting to identify quart vein producing alteration zones. Basically, in the LDM area the vein producing geology is more or less a diamond shape. Two places quartz zone goes out from diamond shape, the longest narrow stretch toward Weavers Needle.

 

[SPARTANOC]

Red_desert,

Yes, that place is in AZ. Drive Apache Trail toward Canyon Lake. Jenkins, according to Barry Storm, parked just past the bridge, then he and his family hiked south along Willow Creek.

Skyhawk

In my studies of the Jenkins Ore (gold, mine), my theory has Jenkins going into the Supes much deeper than thought of before. Remember, there are more than one Willow Spring(s). I remember reading that there used to be an old road that went from First Water (First Water road) past Second Water and further in, leading one past Garden Valley? So, if Jenkins started from Canyon Lake - couldn't he of drove further in using that old road that no longer exists, to reach one of the two other Willow Springs? The other one mentioned is way further in, near Old West Boulder Canyon. Of course that is quite the distance for a days trip. The closer Willow Spring is South of Apache Vista Point, which seems reasonable to reach within a couple of hours maybe less.

-SpartanOC

 

[SPARTANOC]

Red_desert,

Yes, that place is in AZ. Drive Apache Trail toward Canyon Lake. Jenkins, according to Barry Storm, parked just past the bridge, then he and his family hiked south along Willow Creek.

Skyhawk

Here is the Lat and Long for that closer version of Willow Spring: 33°30'26"N 111°28'04"W

 

[skyhawk1251]

SpartanOC,

Unlike some of his other stories contained in "Thunder Gods Gold", Barry Storm is very specific as to where Jenkins parked his car and began hiking with his family along Willow Creek from Apache Trail. The place where Storm's photo was taken was easy to find using Google Earth. The fact that an abandoned mine is now located opposite where the photo was taken indicates to me that someone saw something of value there sufficient to do a lot of digging.

 

[SPARTANOC]

SpartanOC,

Unlike some of his other stories contained in "Thunder Gods Gold", Barry Storm is very specific as to where Jenkins parked his car and began hiking with his family along Willow Creek from Apache Trail. The place where Storm's photo was taken was easy to find using Google Earth. The fact that an abandoned mine is now located opposite where the photo was taken indicates to me that someone saw something of value there sufficient to do a lot of digging.

Personally I'm not convinced 100% that it's the same spot.

How do we know, that Storm's photo he took, is the area in question. To me it originally sounds like a theory of a possible location. Did Barry have any other huge clue that had convince him, that where he took the photo is the correct area to look at? I ask this, because of the multiple Willow Spring/Willow Springs.

Sorry - not arguing, just working theories here. 😊
-SpartanOC

 

[skyhawk1251]

SpartanOC,

It is possible that Barry Storm could have diverted attention to another place rather than the actual one where the ore sample was found, but if it was me doing the diverting I would have named someplace without using the word "Willow." In the first image below, your "closer version" of Willow Spring is placemarked. In the second image, the way to Hackberry Mesa is shown. The bridge is found inside the red boxes. If I recall correctly, Storm wrote that he went back to where the Jenkins family had picnicked and retrieved a glass jar, so he claimed he verified where they had been. It's a good tale, whether true or not.

 

[skyhawk1251]

SpartanOC,

See this thread, #10. There, you can read all of "Jenkins Lost Lode."

https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/what-do-you-expect.670108/#post-6964566

 

[SPARTANOC]

SpartanOC,

It is possible that Barry Storm could have diverted attention to another place rather than the actual one where the ore sample was found, but if it was me doing the diverting I would have named someplace without using the word "Willow." In the first image below, your "closer version" of Willow Spring is placemarked. In the second image, the way to Hackberry Mesa is shown. The bridge is found inside the red boxes. If I recall correctly, Storm wrote that he went back to where the Jenkins family had picnicked and retrieved a glass jar, so he claimed he verified where they had been. It's a good tale, whether true or not.

View attachment 2222524

View attachment 2222525

Skyhawk

About .74 miles (1298 yards) South of those coordinates, a shaft of sorts can be found. Using the timeline set at 2014 - the shaft (or what looks to being one) is clearly seen. I've also spoken with a fellow hunter and he has mentioned there are a couple apparently back in that particular area. Is it connected to any of what Storm had stated, I can't be completely assured of that - and more than likely - the area that Barry DID state to be legit, is probably the 'winning spot'.

SpartanOC,

See this thread, #10. There, you can read all of "Jenkins Lost Lode."

https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/what-do-you-expect.670108/#post-6964566

Skyhawk

Are we sure of the path/trail Jenkins and his family took - leaving their vehicle at the steel bridge, heading out using Apache Trail or do we think, there's another path they might have taken from the same starting point? In looking as to how one would make their way through the canyon(s) from the bridge - Apache Trail looks to be the only sure way of getting through that area. I don't see any other way - other than using Apache Trail in order for someone to make good time, just to have a picnic.

The only other option I can see using GE (the best it will show), is moving up La Barge Canyon South bound from the other steel bridge, arriving into Hackberry Mesa area - which Storm seems to be eluding to.

-SpatanOC

 

[skyhawk1251]

SpartanOC -- The easiest way to the Jenkins picnic area seems to be going directly south from the bridge along the bed of Willow Creek. After the car was parked, the family would have started walking at the west end of the bridge to get to the dry creek bed. The terrain is too rugged at the east end of the bridge just off Apache Trail. Jenkins did not have prospecting in mind and he had a wife and young daughter in tow. Jenkins reason for going above the creek bed was to get a better view of Weavers Needle.