Clear Creek has an enormous amount of gold mining history and all of it is due to the Tertiary gravel deposits in the area. The main branch of upper Clear Creek is a wild and scenic river area, with bike paths and picnic areas, that are closed to mining. This tributary secures an area of BLM land between the wild and scenic area and private lands. It is an ideal set of mining claims tucked back in a remote area and behind locked gates - and we have a key!

Advanced Geologic first became aware of the area when one of the neighboring property owners called us up and asked for some consulting advise. During the conversation, he revealed he had a spot on his private property that was loaded with 1-10 gram nuggets and he had a collection of them. Upon coming to his house, he showed us his collection and it was STUNNING!!

Upon doing some background research, we learned that the land was part of a patented mine application that was applied for in the early 1990s and turned down by the BLM in the early 2000s because of 1) the Clear Creek Wild and Scenic River application was going through, and 2) the price of gold was below $300 per ounce, thus making it uneconomical to mine and, therefore, not acceptable for a patent. The patent applicant was furious and numerous arguments ensued, including a lawsuit. The decision went before BLM's IBLA for a hearing and, of course, they denied his patent. He died a year later unable to fullfill his dream.

There are two small seasonal creeks that flow through the claims that can provide water. There is a large pond that can be used for some water use, but the BLM now thinks this old mining feature has environmental rights. (good grief!!)

Below you will see loads of tailings and gravel digs. Advanced Geologic conducted a number of recon activities and have some photos here of one in 2014 where we processed ten buckets and got just less than a gram. We have always gotten gold here and you should too.

A fire ripped through here a couple years back, burning many of the digger pines and manzanita brush, the later of which is coming back nicely. There are a number of dirt roads that wind through the claims; some have downed trees and you will need a chainsaw to clear the road. Good to carry one down here anyway.

The best time to mine this area is just after a rain and during the spring. You should have no trouble with the locals and it is a safe, secure spot. There are three access roads, one of which comes in from the Wild and Scenic area and you cannot use a motorized vehicle there. The other two have locked gates and the current owner has a key that he will give you upon purchase.

This would be a good claim for a small trommel and backhoe. The BLM permitting process is relatively quick, if it is prepared correctly. Advanced Geologic can help with that. We can also show you where we have had good success in the past and can get you a copy of the patent analysis report that identifies some very hot spots.

If you want a good spot with lotsa gold, then this is the spot for you!

Location and History: These two adjacent placer mining districts are in southwestern Shasta County about 15 miles southwest of Redding. The South Fork silver-mining district lies just to the north. The region was first mined soon after the beginning of the gold rush. From the 1860s through the 1880s the hydraulic and drift mines were highly productive, especially the Hardscrabble and Russell mines near Igo. Many Chinese placer miners were here during this period. The expressions "I go?" and "Oh no!", derived either from the pidgin English spoken by the Chinese miners when they were told to move on or from statements made by a young son of the superintendent of the Hardscrabble mine. There was appreciable activity in these districts in the 1930s, much of the gold output having come from the use of power shovels and dragline dredges.

Click here Google Earth Fly To and see an aerial photo of Clearly Rich #2 and the claim boundries.

Google map it for directions to the claim.
Pinpoint is at center of claim.

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