Overview

The Big Creek Gemstone #2 Unpatented Lode Claim is a 20.66 acre claim located directly next to the Big Creek Gemstone #1 claim and is situated just west of the old settlement.

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This claim is known for extremely large garnets with many recovered in 1942-1943 that weight over two pounds!

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Additionally, Beryl, Mica, and Black Tourmaline are found on the claim.  

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The price difference between Big Creek Gemstone Claim #1 & #2 is because #2 does not have any Amethyst and the claim had not had wildfire recently so the trees and undergrowth make it difficult to walk and see exposed vein structures.

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Located in Albany County Wyoming with easy 2WD access and camping onsite.  A dozen or more surface pits and a few small shafts are ready to be brought into production.

 

This claim is ideal for a serious weekend warrior up to a small mining company

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The claim sits adjacent to two different old settlements built in the 1940's, in total there are 5-6 large cabins and one of the cabins has some sort of unique lookout tower built vertically from the ridge beam of one cabin.  Smaller outhouses and remnants of cans, tools, etc are scattered around the old settlements.  These settlements were obviously built to house a large amount of miners adjacent to the workings.

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The claim is scattering with surface workings in the form of pits and trenches all across the claim.  Different gems are clearly running in different parts of the claim. 

(read our geology section below for details)

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Recovery of gems could begin immediately by hand sorting and re-digging the pockets the previous miners opened up in these pits and trenches, re-timbering the shafts as well could lead to interesting deposits.

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Camping

Camping is allowed on the claim for up to 14 continuous days.  There is excellent camping adjacent to the access road complete with fire pits.  

 

 The road adjacent to the campsites is rarely traveled and not one of the main trails in the area making for a secluded location.

Access

Located approximately 6 miles from the town of Foxpark Wyoming just a short 15 minute drive north from the Colorado/Wyoming border.  

 

The claim can be easily accessed via 2WD vehicle and fifth wheels/trailers can access the site with very little difficulty.  

 

The road is dirt for approximately 4 miles into the claim that is well maintained for Forest Service RDS and has virtually no elevation gain or loss.

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 Geology Information 

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Material

Beryl

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Type of Material 

Ore

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Metasedimentary and Metavolcanic Rocks

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This pegmatite is in precambrian schist and contains chiefly quartz, microcline, and muscovite with accessory albite.  Punch and scrap quality mica is visible in a pot 25' to 30' long and 8' to 10' wide, and 3' to 4' deep.  The dike trends N55W

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Large garnets some of which weigh over 2 lbs have been found in a biotite schist body

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Claim also consists of a granite pegmatite dike with some beryl & Black Tourmaline.