Truck Camping on the Dolores
I want to be in the mountains of Colorado in the summers. I am getting tired of moving every two weeks. How do I do this with spending little?
Well, the virus check bought me a 20 acre placer mining claim. It will cost me $155/ year (maybe). I love metal detecting . Hunting for gold in the Dolores river for 5 months of the year seems like a deal. That will be $31/ month (maybe). That means that I will have to find only 3 grams of gold every year to pay for it. It looks like this may not be right. More trying to figure things out. It looks as though all I will need to pay is a “Maintenance Fee Waiver” of $15 and maybe an “Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work” for another $15. So $30 for the year?! Dealing with bureaucracy is entertaining. I don’t have the whole story yet.
The picture below was on the ebay site. I fell for it. In the description of the claim they said that 2wd could get close to claim. I have 4 wheel drive. Hope I can get very close. We’ll see. 
I own all of the minerals on the 20 acre claim. No one else can search for gold or minerals. However, anyone can be on the property, hunt on the property, fish on the property, camp on the property. I am allowed to camp out on the property for as long as I am mining. Everyone else can stay only 2 weeks. I have a gold detector, I have pans and brushes and digging tools. I bet it will take me several years to prospect the whole 20 acres.
I don’t think this area is a great gold source, but it is 20 acres to camp on next to a beautiful river for 5 months in the summer .
One extra fun thing about this purchase is the learning of government vocabulary. There are no gps numbers for any mining location. The claim is defined by townships and range and section and aliquot. A claim is also defined as lode or placer, active or closed. It took me a long time to figure this all out. Still learning. And I am excited. Excited to see if I can get to the claim, get any gold, excited to try a new activity and learn new stuff.
Truck Camper Hints 
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Let me help you! I have tons of gold equipment. I need to make sure my RV is working, but I can come down a weekend. I’ll test the RV this weekend. My regular email is habrfv@gmail.com Let’s get together.
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Thanks Hilary! Right now I am trying to figure things out. As soon as I can get to the spot I will let you know. I am camped at an area where I thought I could get to claim easily. Nope. Now figuring out secondary approaches. I think that the Forest Service has section maps, but they are still closed.
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Very wonderful news!.. I have a cousin in AK that sluices and does okay.. Much love,db
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This is really a sneaky way to camp on Forest Service land for more than 2 weeks at a time. But have found that I am loving the panning!
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Wow this is great news! Congratulations on your purchase, sounds like paradise. Way back in my younger days I spent a day panning up in Northern British Columbia, I actually got some small nuggets it was fun for sure. I wish you fun in this adventure, sounds like you have all the tools.
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I hope this all works out perfectly for you.
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Even with no gold the area is beautiful. I enjoy learning new stuff and between the government regulations and the act of panning will give me lots to learn.
Pickett
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Wow Pickett, so cool. What an amazing new adventure for you. Funny, I first thought you were above Rio Rico, AZ, and was thinking hot temps. Not Rico CO…it’s so beautiful and perfect weather for the summer. And I bet amazing wildflowers as well. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Yay for you 🤗
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Gives me goosebumps of pleasure to hang out in the San Juan NF next to a beautiful river. And that I might pay for it by finding gold makes me a very happy camper! Thanks for reading the blog, Cindy. Hope all goes smoothly for you in Pitkin County. ❤️
Pickett
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That’s so awesome! Lucky you. I almost bought a mining claim in Pitkin county. And the rules here were that all you needed to do to camp on your land was activity show that you’re looking for gold. And if you found gold you could build a mining cabin of 1000’. Who knows…you might strike the mothership, or at least have fun trying on your own piece of land in Colorado 😊💕🤗
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I think the rules are the same in the West. Alaska and east coast have different rules. I am so excited. Have been searching for meteorites so I have the majority of tools. I love putting around looking for stuff so this sounds right up my retirement alley. There are so many layers of rules and requirements that it is a bit daunting, but entertaining. At the moment I am unclear about some regulations, but am trying to learn. My fingers are crossed that this will be as much fun as I think it will be. Pickett
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Super excited for you Pic!! ❤️
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Me too!
Pickett
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What a great idea. Now you will have a place to go to and stay. Looking forward to hear more of some adventures and hopefully gold finds. When will you head out there? Looking forward to some photos of your own site.
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I will take pics and post. Thanks for continuing to read, Pip.
The claim is far out of WiFi and cell range, so the postings won’t be as timely as I’d like, but I will post!
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Above Rifle !!! That’s our neck of the woods. Have to find you on a map. Last summer came to Rifle Falls and Rifle Gap for a swim day with some friends. We could bring a picnic. You’re a place owner in Colorado! Yeah.
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Whoops Above Rico, not Rifle. I’ll correct blog. Must have been thinking of you!
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Wow, Pickett, you are getting
closer and have found a treasure. Congrats!!!
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am so excited. It may turn out to be a bust … no gold, too much snow, no way to get to claim, etc. But what fun!
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Oh what fun!! I have such wonderful memories of camping along the Dolores River above the old Dunton Hot Springs which used to be a fabulous place to go, rent an old miner’s cabin, soak in the hot springs, drink beer with the 3 brothers that owned the ghost town and generally shoot the shit with whoever was around. Now it’s a 5 star resort and you can’t even drive in! But oh my, the camping further up the gravel road is fabulous!! Love the thought of you panning for gold there. Can’t wait to hear about your experiences!
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I was camphost about 1 mile above Dunton for the last few years and totally fell in love wth the San Juans. The mine claim is above Rifle, heading towards Telluride. How beautiful, no?!
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woops. Thats Rico, not Rifle.
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WAIT! Did you already buy this? Even on mining claims they can still limit you to camping 14 days. That’s also if they find you! I have a Piglet highbanker and a sluice and all sorts of gold prospecting gear, maybe I can come down and help you get set up. There is a really helpful guy around too that can give advice although he is 100% opposite politically of you and me. He has claims on the Dolores. Me: habrfv@gmail.com 970-927-0407 970-379-6389. Get in touch and let’s talk. Check out findinggoldincolorado.com Kevin has a ton of free information about claims, keeping the claim active, etc.
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Nope, you can camp there in perpetuity so long as you are working the claim. You just cant set up anything permanent. The big help for me has been the geologist for the San Juan NF. Him and the site: https://thediggings.com/
I will keep you updated on the progress. I am ridiculously happy with this. Have learned much so far. Am moving out to the claim on Wednesday, if the snow is not too deep! It is above Rifle. I have found out much since the purchase, and there is so much more to learn. Thank you for Kevin’s info. I don’t mind people of a different political stance … so long as we don’t get into heated discussions!
Thank you.
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You may be right about the 14 days. Can’t find where that rule is spelled out. I t may be wishful thinking on my part. There is some discussion about a pending claim, also. Will post when I get official written word.
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I found this on the BLM Colorado site:
Can I camp on my unpatented mining claim? Yes –
Recreational camping is usually allowed on public lands; you
can camp if the area is open to camping. As a mining claimant,
you may have the right for extended occupancy on public
lands if it is approved by federal land managers. Check with
the local BLM or Forest Service office for specific regulations if
your mining operation will require you to camp for an extended
period of time or occupy an area closed to camping.
My guess is that if I keep a very low profile and don’t mention the extended camping to anyone the extended camping will go well. I think at some point I may have to prove that I am actually working the claim.
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Found this:
To occupy public lands for more than 14 days in any 90
day period, a mining claimant or operator must be carrying
out approved activities; work on these activities regularly;
conduct activities related to mineral extraction; perform
verifiable on-the-ground activities; and use appropriate and
operable equipment that is subject to reasonable assembly,
maintenance, repair or construction of replacement parts. The
claimant must meet all five of these requirements to occupy a
claim or site.
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