SOOoooo, confused!! Options

[AuRush69]

Ok Clear Creek is fun and all but i want to get into some "Real" gold recovery, not just a speck here and there.

so I've been lookin around using Google Earth and using several different add-on mapper tools ( that me show me active claims, closed claims, and land patents with Serial #'s for all of the above) just so we're clear ,I know i'll need to get out in the field and Authenticate every thing to make sure it's open,valid and properly staked.

But for giggles let's say I Found a spot that is surrounded by 3-4 patented properties, has a couple "Active" 160 acre Association claims near by (consuming whole Quadrants) and 25 some odd "Closed" claims all overlapping each other in the said area.

But it seems I can SQueeze in a nice little 20 acre Placer claim, has FS Road access right thru it, has about lets say about 600 feet of creek running thru it.

lets say hypotheticly that Everything is perfect and I have every right to go poking around and I find some good samples in said creek and decide i want to make a claim.

Here's my problem, placers are generally Located using MTRS right ? but lets say i dunno 75% of the 20 acre claim probably will not produce anything . I Don't know any thing about Meets and Bounds except that's how Load claims are staked.

Can you use meets an bounds for a placer claim and in the process gain more creek (Cause it has more room till it hits a patented claim but it crosses over a boundry line on the MTRS grid) or would A MTRS type of claim be unacceptable and rejected by the BLM, because of "wasted land resource"( for lack of better words) ?

I'm kinda lost and have no idea how these things work :D any input would be greatly appreciated.

[swizz]

so I've been lookin around using Google Earth and using several different add-on mapper tools ( that me show me active claims, closed claims, and land patents with Serial #'s for all of the above) just so we're clear ,I know i'll need to get out in the field and Authenticate every thing to make sure it's open,valid and properly staked.

Let's try to simplify this process without the extravagant hypothetical scenario you presented.... one step at a time.
Starting with your claim boundary research:
Google Earth, mapping tools, and layers are not accurate.
If you want to learn, view, copy, and reference actual claim boundaries (Lode, Placer, Millsite) patented or not... you should pay a visit to the county clerk/recorder.
Every legitimate, active, and filed mining claim MUST have a corresponding map and claim boundary (corner marker) description included in it's public record file for you to view and copy.
Know the Claim name or Claim owner's name or CMC # OR Township, Meridian, Section, and Range of the area you're interested in prior to your visit.. this will help you narrow things down and communicate with the Clerk/Recorder to pull claim files faster. Once you pull the files it will be easy to identify existing claim boundaries, points of discovery, claim status, etc.... whether researching at home or in the field.
This should be the cornerstone for your initial research in determining YOUR potential claim boundaries and/or access if the area is surrounded by active claims, private property, or other.
It all starts at the County Clerk/Recorder's office, reviewing public record files... that's one of the things they are there for.