Materials: Quartz Crystals, Amethyst, Fluorite
GPS: 48.76098, -118.83903
When using GPS coordinates to navigate to locations in the backcountry sites like Google will often make mistakes. Please watch this video before venturing out. https://youtu.be/hQr1l7dnCE4
Tools: You could just surface pick this location but if you want to do some hard rock mining you will need prybars, chisels and hand sledges.
Vehicle: 4×4 is highly recommended for this location such as a truck or SUV
Date Visited: August 2021
Additional comments:
Any Location Updates Since Visit: Over the years there have been a number of people who have expressed to me that they are upset about my visit to this location and these upset people have made a number accusations ranging from claim jumping to criminal trespass. At the bottom of this page these accusations are addressed in full.
Our visit to the Silverbell Mine:
This area has a number of active mineral claims as well as a patented claim. These claim owners are very protective over this region and attempt to discourage people from visiting the area.
Because of this I would like to share with you some GPS locations we were at since they are on public land, not located on the patented claim, and not located on private property.
I am also aware that there is an easement as you turn off of the West Fork Trout Creek Rd. and head west through the patented claim. I would also add that at the time of my visit those locations given below showed no clear signage of being under claim and were without notable monuments.
I have attached a map (GaiaGPS) with those pins laid out on it and you can clearly see that they are outside of the patented claim area.
Pin 1: 48.76029, -118.83569
Pin 2: 48.760980, -118.839030
Pin 3: 48.760653, -118.838608
Pin 4: 48.76016, -118.83554
These locations pictured above are on BLM and DNR land.
When in the field always follow posted signs that you might see such as claim markers and no trespassing signs. Then later when you are home check that they are accurate.
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