mining claim rights, validation and/or violation of mining claim rights Options

[marbleskies]

Last week I completed my annual week long trip to the Arkansas River Valley to find some color and enjoy the experience of being with fellow prospectors. For many years I have made this trip to the same region covering Twin Lakes to Salida. This year I was appalled to find the following:
- the greatest dis-regard ever encountered for respecting mining claim rights. On a daily basis I came across prospector(s) working a clearly marked private claim. These events occurred on the Arkansas River north of B.V. (across and south of Elephant Rock and also at the river bend by Stone Cabin), the Mary Murphy Mine above St Elmo and Flume creek (connecting the Lost Canyon Mine to Twin Lakes). When I would inquire if they knew whose claim they were working the answer fell into the following buckets: this is a GPAA claim and they were GPAA members (so am I, but I also know where the GPAA claims actually exist), they were on a "disputed claim" and anyone could work the claim until the BLM settled the issue or they did not care whose claim it was cuz no one was there to tell them to stay off it. My approach to learning about their knowledge of the claims was to say "I want to make sure I am not working a private claim, do you know the status of this land?"
- the number of prospectors has significantly increased from the last two years. Perhaps driven by the economy and the price of gold, but the impact is seeing a horde of prospectors almost on top of each other. Another reason for this may be the water level on the Arkansas was low due to a recovery search that reduced flow earlier than normal.
- a large number of "holes" not being backfilled and a general disregard for leaving the land as it was found

The positive was:
- I wasn't skunked, but neither was it a banner year......
- I met some very nice folks who shared stories and helped enrich my journey
- Larry is still at Cache Creek, just off the Lost Canyon Road, and he is a genuine person unique to the area and has a true concern for helping people enjoy their prospecting experiences. BTW: seemed like a lot of activity at Cache Creek with folks being rewarded for their efforts, but you have to arrive early to claim a "hole". I was focusing on trying a new Mine Lab detector in the area (skunked in this attempt) so did not work the dig.

Suggestion: as we refer folks to areas to try their luck we may be wise to emphasize the need to understand, recognize and respect mining claims.

BTW: felt like the mosquitos were trying to carry me off at times, has been a wet summer in the Rockies and there is an abundance of the pests so be sure and bring the bug juice!

Good Luck!