Visiting Glacier Peak Mining Claims
Amazonite and Smoky Quartz and Pegmatite Mineral Collecting
Operations are beginning for 2012 season. Visits may be available during operations, generally the month of June. Hopefully, we will see you then. Please note the claims are not open unless you have scheduled a visit with us. We had some unscheduled "visitors" this past summer and again lost some of the pieces we had mined. Contact Krystle or me for future possible visits.
Visits must be arranged by clubs or individuals through Krystle at Glacier Peak Mining or by calling (719) 685-4479. Only some of the claims are open to visits. You must sign a permission to collect and liability release form.
These are operational claims and we do not have a concession permit for a "tourist mine" which is required by the Forest Service for fee digging. The insurance costs and Forest Service special use fees make this impossible.
I do arrange with clubs for digs, and when I am on site, people are welcome to visit. Otherwise, no digging or mineral trespass is allowed. Digging of any kind and picking up minerals of any kind violate the Forest Service and State permits and Federal law. Unless you have specific written permission from me, Joseph L. Dorris, you do not have permission to dig or pick up minerals on any Glacier Peak properties.
Generally we will be operating with mechanized equipment from early June through July. This is the best time to visit (except Sundays). I may also be doing reclamation work at other times. Club trips may be arranged at any time depending on weather and accessibility; however, I will not always be available to fit your schedule. E-mail your requests early.
If you are in the Crystal Peak District, you can recognize my claims by the red- and white-topped posts. (Please note that I am not the only claim owner who uses this marking. Make certain you know whose claims you are on.)
Although some collecting can be done on the tailings and quite satisfactorily from near your car, serious collecting is arduous. This is about 8,800' elevation. The terrain is steep, rocky, and dangerous. I do not recommend trips for children under 6. See additional cautions in the Safety Briefing
Directions to Forest Service Work Station or Access Gate to National Forest
I (or my representative) will arrange to meet you at either the Lake George Forest Service Work Station or at the National Forest access gate. I will escort you to the selected area from that point.
From Colorado Springs, take U.S. Highway 24 west to Lake George. Immediately before Lake George, turn north on Park County Road 94. Go approximately 100 yards to the Forest Service Work Station on right side. (Park along road if necessary. Do not block access to the work station.)
If meeting me at the National Forest gate, continue past the work station on Park County 94 (also Trail Creek Road). Stay on Trail Creek Road about 4 miles to the private gate. You will see a sign that points left and a brown plastic Forest Service marker for F.S. Road 201. Turn left and follow Road 201 about .5 mile to the National Forest gate. Note that private property is on both sides of the road until you pass through this gate.
Road 201 is drivable to the national forest access gate with a regular car; however, beyond the F. S. gate, the road is best accessible by 4WD. Usually people park within the gate and buddy up in 4WD past this point.
Tools to Bring
If you plan on serious digging, most collectors prefer a rock hammer, screwdriver or wood skewers (for collecting pockets), shovel, pick, and cracking hammer. (You should arrange with others in your party to ensure you have sufficient proper tools.) Additionally, you need safety glasses, gloves, hardhat and ear protection (if visiting or entering the excavations) (I will have a few spares), good boots, and appropriate clothing for weather (heat to snow and rain). Also bring water and sunscreen. Afternoons often cloud up and we have thunderstorms. You need to also bring a bag or pack, wrapping paper, and possibly a 5-gallon bucket, for collecting specimens.
If you are surface hunting or going through the tailings, most people find a small hand rake and a rock hammer sufficient.
Also be prepared for hiking through difficult terrain.
Fees
This is not a fee-dig site. You are always welcome to visit and observe the operations when we are on site. If your club arranges a "digging" visit, you are my guest and may be able to help me for a short while in the excavations. For that, you must have a hardhat and good boots. Otherwise, you will be given a designated area where you can dig on your own or search the surface for amazonite and smoky quartz.
Remember when digging, fill your hole when finished unless you have cleared it with me to leave it open.
You are allowed to keep what you find on the tailings or surface.
If you are digging and encounter a crystal cavity, you must report this to me. If possible, I will inspect the pocket. If it is a significant pocket, I or Glacier Peak personnel will assist in collecting. If it is a combination amazonite and smoky quartz pocket, I will retain the pocket (Otherwise, most other pockets you will be allowed to collect and keep.) I will attempt to clean the pocket as quickly as possible and give the finder(s) a piece or pieces. Generally, I will return some of the lesser pieces to the finder(s) as well. If exceptional, and the finder wants, he or she will have first right of refusal on pieces when they become offered for sale.
Experience shows that everyone finds some decent stuff and gets to take home lots of specimens. You should easily find both amazonite and smoky quartz cutting rough. You should also expect to find a few crystals of each. If your club wants me to bring specimens to offer for sale, please inform me; otherwise, I will not bring any specimens to the claims.
Visiting clubs and individuals may help support the operation and keep the claims open to collecting by purchasing items from me at shows.
You must understand and agree to abide by the safety briefing and sign a liability release form. Permission Form and Liability Release
Hopefully you can arrange a visit and I will see you "in the woods."
Joe Dorris