The Many Lost Treasures of Mariposa, CA (Photos Added)

[EagleDown]

Wow! Ten tons of visible, hand-sorted ore!! That's a whole lot of oro! All the best, Lanny http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html

Absolutely!! Perhaps my memory is bigger than reality, but I still believe there would be at least 3 oz. per ton. And what could we do with 3,000 ounces of gold?? (Or better still, what couldn't we do with 3,000 ounces of gold)? (lol)

After thinking about it, there IS one thing I couldn't do with it; that is, carry the whole 250 lbs. in my arms. (lol)

 

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[EagleDown]

Ok so I did some research and u really got me thinking!!! So this refers to the story about the dead bodies in the cave/ mine. I believe its one of Joaquin Murrieta's hideouts! It gives the same details of a cave/ mine way up in a mountain type of cayon and the Murrieta gang had around $60,000-100,000 in bags on gold. This is the really crazy part.....the gang picked this specific cave because it had "many skeletons" in it and he knew that the countrymen were superstitious back then and would not look for the stolen gold or enter the cave because of "ghost." NOW TELL ME THAT DOESN'T SOUND JUST LIKE UR STORY!!!! I want to go now and help u dig this mine out LOL. I would be happy with just 20% haha

Interesting theory, and one that had never occurred to me. I know that Murietta spent time in Hornitas and went on excursions in the surrounding hills, including Mariposa County. Of course, Mariposa County was a lot bigger at that time, but, I don't know if his excursions took him up as far as the Merced River.

 

[3sell]

Ok so this cave/ mine is right near Bagby. Bagby is in the North fork of the Merced River.....This story of your's keeps getting MORE AND MORE interesting!!! I did my research from the 2nd edition of "A Guide To Treasure in California" and then from there I did more searches online to get more details. I think the person who told u about this mine that he had found actually found one of there hideouts. Of course this hide now being caved in and in the back woods probably has never been seen again.

 

[3sell]

Bagby is also about 10 miles Northeast of Hornitos. I think part of the town is now underwater because there is a lake now but I'm not sure. Bagby did have mines in the area so this connection could be it.

 

[EagleDown]

Bagby is also about 10 miles Northeast of Hornitos. I think part of the town is now underwater because there is a lake now but I'm not sure. Bagby did have mines in the area so this connection could be it.

The town-site of Bagby is totally under water when the "lake" is up. But, it is where the bridge crosses the river, not in the North Fork.

 

[calisdad]

Well, no matter, it seems that when you get your arm out of the sling, I'll probably still be trying to find the old mine. In other words, the BLM was no help at all. All they did, (typical gov. run-around), was refer me from one to another and talk in circles. I'm not sure yet of where to go from here. They kept telling me I'd have to have the location of mine before they could give me any info. I kept telling them that if I knew the location of the mine, I wouldn't need their help. (lol) The one thing they verified was that the roads have changed since 1984. New ones for fire control and old ones that have been abandoned for several years. Plus, they told me that a lot of areas around there have been designated "Wilderness" and are inaccessable to motorized anything. I didn't even attempt to find out if that included GPS or metal detectors. (lol)

I'm not surprised about BLM . AMRA just notified it's members that the claim they just filed on near Sacramento has already been claimed just that BLM lost the paperwork. geeze.


I'm pretty sure you are familiar with Google Earth but there is a historical feature where you can find older maps. Unfortunately they only go back to 1993 for the Briceburg area. Might be a help tho.


On another note- There is a fantastic book called "Gold Seeker". It's compiled from the diary of Jean Nicolas Perlot. Perlot arrived in Mariposa area in 1851 and prospected until he helped build the road into Yosemite in 1857. It's a great read for anyone interested in the history of the area.

 

[3sell]

Ya I saw some pictures, its a little creepy how the whole town is underwater and now u can see it. So that area isn't part of the North Fork?

 

[EagleDown]

Ya I saw some pictures, its a little creepy how the whole town is underwater and now u can see it. So that area isn't part of the North Fork?

Actually, they moved the buildings out. The only thing to see when the river is down, is the foundations of a couple of places. (And there use to be a couple of car bodies). Everything might be buried in sand by now. I haven't been down there in a couple of years. The North Fork is about a mile up river, on the North side.

 

[EagleDown]

I'm not surprised about BLM . AMRA just notified it's members that the claim they just filed on near Sacramento has already been claimed just that BLM lost the paperwork. geeze.

Yeah, from the way the BLM agent was talking, times sure have changed. When I was in LE, I assisted in a couple of Federal investigations and one thing I noticed was that they were not only meticulous in their record keeping, but they were redundant to the point of absurdity. Evidently, expenditures are not as important these days. (lol)

 

[Oakview2]

They are still anal, just not to anyones benefit but their agenda.

 

[3sell]

Ya I saw the dry lake bed on the news like last month now that I remember. Lots of foundations. So this could be the same place or at least area in my opinion. I think it at least narrows down the search.

 

[Rowdy Yates]

The one thing they verified was that the roads have changed since 1984. New ones for fire control and old ones that have been abandoned for several years. Plus, they told me that a lot of areas around there have been designated "Wilderness" and are inaccessable to motorized anything.

I don't know if the roads leading into your mine are under Forest Service jurisdiction, but every miner should carry this with them on public federal lands. Having to walk (instead of drive) 20 miles to your claim or prospect is an "undue hardship".

Regards,

Rick

 

[EagleDown]

I don't know if the roads leading into your mine are under Forest Service jurisdiction, but every miner should carry this with them on public federal lands. Having to walk (instead of drive) 20 miles to your claim or prospect is an "undue hardship". Regards, Rick

I've copied and printed it. Now it will be placed in my glove box in case I ever need it. I'm not sure, but since it's a government 'edict', it might also cover land "Ruled" by the BLM. I'll have to check it out further. Thanks Rick!!

 

[Rowdy Yates]

The owner of an unpatented mining claim cannot be denied access to his property by federal law (including the BLM). If a locked gate is preventing you from accessing your claim, the Forest Service (or appropriate agency) must provide you with a key. Or, if not, you can put your own lock on the gate (cut off a link in the chain and put your own lock on). As a claim owner (which is considered Property/Real Estate by federal law) you must do your yearly assessment work on your claim in order to continue to own it. By blocking the access to your claim, they are effectively forcing you to forfeit your claim. I'm not saying that there is an "agenda" by the federal government to eliminate our right to access our public lands, but us miners have many more rights than hunters or fishermen. Just sayin'........ Rick

 

[EagleDown]

The owner of an unpatented mining claim cannot be denied access to his property by federal law (including the BLM). If a locked gate is preventing you from accessing your claim, the Forest Service (or appropriate agency) must provide you with a key. Or, if not, you can put your own lock on the gate (cut off a link in the chain and put your own lock on). As a claim owner (which is considered Property/Real Estate by federal law) you must do your yearly assessment work on your claim in order to continue to own it. By blocking the access to your claim, they are effectively forcing you to forfeit your claim. I'm not saying that there is an "agenda" by the federal government to eliminate our right to access our public lands, but us miners have many more rights than hunters or fishermen. Just sayin'........ Rick

You're right, on all counts. :BUT: At one time, I just about memorized the 1972 Mining Laws. And, a couple of times, I had some 'in your face' stand-offs with the BLM. One time, one agent was trying to make me comply with his "wishes", which I knew he had no legal right to do. When I flat out refused, he said he'd be back with a couple of his co-workers to make me comply. I responded by reaching into the door of my camper, grabbing, then strapping on my ,357 in its fast draw holster and told him to come back armed and that they damn well better, be better shots than I am!! Needless to say, he didn't come back and I spent the rest of the Summer in peace. (lol)

But, back to the BUT. I also know that the 1872 Mining Law states that a claim owner can build any type of structure necessary to protect his mining claim and/or equipment. But I also know that in the '70's and '80's, the BLM burned miners cabins all over Mariposa County. They also evicted a few (who didn't know better) by telling them that they COULDN'T have cabins to live in while working their claims. Then they pulled the cabins down or burnt them.

Oops, I've gone off on a rant!! So, let's just say; Know the law!! If you are within the law, you can always beat them in court. (If you're fortunate enough to have the money and attorneys). But, I know that they count on our inability to fight them in court. So, they run rampant over our civil rights. A good example of this is the dredging moratorium. It has been held in Supreme Court that the state(s) cannot over-ride Federal Law. (Particuarly the mining laws). But, who's going out dredging so that they can fight them in court??

 

[Rowdy Yates]

I also know that the 1872 Mining Law states that a claim owner can build any type of structure necessary to protect his mining claim and/or equipment. But I also know that in the '70's and '80's, the BLM burned miners cabins all over Mariposa County. They also evicted a few (who didn't know better) by telling them that they COULDN'T have cabins to live in while working their claims. Then they pulled the cabins down or burnt them.

I appreciate your rant, but on an un-patented mining claim....."no permanent structures" are allowed. Unfortunately, it's their interpretation of what's "permanent". Check this out:

157 Acre High Sierra Ranch in Mariposa - Midpines area

I know this cabin well (I've slept in it a number of times). Now there's an issue of whether this "cabin" qualifies as a "Significant Historical Resource". If the fed's were to tear down or destroy this cabin, they would be violating their own laws.

Just sayin"............

Rick

 

[3sell]

Rowdy is totally right with what the law says. My dad use to work for the forest service for years and thats how they get u. My dad was sneaky like they are now but the way the law is still sucks. When it comes to the "permanent" structures I know each county sometimes has there own rules and stuff. Like here in Santa Barbara county if u were "grandfathered" in after a certain amount of years then the rules doesn't apply but it still has to meet certain codes. Thats where they get u and thats why it sucks how many loop holes there are. Or like u have stated about it being a historical site.

 

[rlucasm]

A little off topic, but this story might interest you guys.

Ants Prove Useful in Detecting Gold

 

[chupacabra]

157 Acre High Sierra Ranch in Mariposa - Midpines area

That cabin is also on private property, it's owned.

 

[chupacabra]

I am going to post some video i have from pendola gardens ranch it will amaze some

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTouttjsD_4&feature=youtu.be