Overview
Featuring 879 linear feet of Cameron Creek flowing thru the claim.

This claim is located downstream of several gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and zinc bearing lode sources associated with the the Southern end of the Cross Creek Mining District and Northern end of the Quartz Creek Mining District.

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Additionally, the bulk of the claim is outside of the glacial drift zone, creating a predictable area for gold prospectors who may lack experience finding gold bearing paystreaks in areas of total glacial drift.  Consequently, pay streaks remain in-situ and readable outside of small previous miners workings dating back to the late 1800's during the initial boom years of the Tincup mining district.

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Glacial drift on the northern edge of the claim from within the Quaternary age unit. is a source of felsic gneiss and a secondary rock type of mafic gneiss within the early proterozoic age classification surrounded east & west by a primary rock type of granite and secondary rock type of granodiorite also within the early proterozoic age unit.

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Fine gold is the most commonly found size of gold with some larger flakes occasionally intermixed.  The key to finding the highest concentration of gold on this claim is to locate a false bedrock layer comprised of a blue to red hued clay that sits approximately 3-4 in depth from the topsoil.  The topsoil on this claim is black, loamy, and full of organics.  This layer contains no gold values. 

 

Below the topsoil and above the clay layer sits an unconsolidated gravel layer.  Due to the lack of consolidation, this layer is spotty for consistent gold deposition.  Yes, you can find ultra fine gold in the layer, however, it's not a true pay streak and most of the heavy materials have sunken deeper on or near the clay layer below.

 

The creek itself does have water all season long, outside of spring run-off which artificially increases creek flows generally the creek is 6-12 inches deep and 3-4 feet wide in most areas.  There are several small turns and re-directions in the creek layout which do carve deeper holes in the streambed and create higher probability zones for gold to be deposited in greater quanitites.

 

This claim is one area I highly recommend having a perfectly dialed sluice box designed to capture fine gold.  Additionally, a well setup shaker table for concentrate finishing is a recommended accessory to separate the fine gold from large amounts of black sands / base metals.

The road system does go thru the claim making for easy access to the stream and the surrounding benches.  This claim was worked small scale by previous miners with rudimentary methods dating back to the late 1800's as were most placer creeks in the district.  There is remnants of their work in the form of a few old cobble hand stacks and dilapidated miners cabins scattered across the claim.

Most of the gold is going to be in the fine to flake gold form and generally quite pure at 91 fine.  Gold found in this creek has been within the creek bed.  Unlike Cross Creek, the high benches have not produced worthy gold.  This is likely due to the lack of glacial input across the entirety of the claim.

As with many other creeks in the district this claim has a blue / reddish hued clay layer that acts as a false bedrock.  Most recreational miners hit this false bedrock and stay on top of this layer.  To get beneath this false bedrock layer a mechanized style of mining would be needed with supporting mining permit.


History
The Union Park area was located by a group championed by Fred Lottes in approximately 1861.  Once discovered the Union Park area was worked by rudimentary small scale means into the early 1900's.  After WW2 the area has sat predominately idle outside of small independent mining interests such as the dredge on West Willow Creek several miles to the East of Union Park.

The gold was found in free milling in quartz and associated with limonite and malachite.  The source vein is a replacement ore body associated with the Ordovician Fremont limestone what is located below the Devonian Parting Formation, also commonly referred to in the district as Fairview Shale.

Small flat lenses of copper-iron sulfides in quartz and calcite gangue host much of the lode source mineralization.  Ore zones were 10 to 15 feet long and 3 to 6 feet wide.  A known indicator of ore emplacement is a 10 foot thick sill of hornblende monzonite porphyry which occurs in Devonian rocks just above the ore zone.

 

Claim Topo Map
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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​Access
UTV / ATV access recommended!  The final 3.75 mile approach to the claim is fully consumed by super sharp and angular rock on the Cameron Creek Road.

 

Trailers, low clearance vehicles, and dually pickups will not likely make it to the claim.

  The road system from Taylor Reservoir to the beginning of the claim is approximately 6 miles 

Taylor River Road > Union Park Road > Cameron Creek Road

Camping
Camping is allowed for up to 14 continuous days.  If you camp in a towable camper it is recommend to camp between Taylor Reservoir and the Lottis Creek crossing which has ample dispersed camping spots on the Northern side of Union Park. 

These Northern side dispersed camping spots can accommodate large fifth wheel style campers without issue, to then commute several miles to the claim each day with more ideal vehicles.

Mining Permits
Any surface disturbance greater than casual / recreational usage will likely require a mining permit & plan in place before beginning operations.  Contact us for mining permit consultant recommendations should you desire to go beyond metal detecting, gravity river sluicing, gold panning, etc.

High Banking, Dredging, or any other similar activity will absolutely require a permit before operations can begin.

Seasonality 
Due to the high elevation nature of this mining district (10,200') the general season dates are May 15th thru October 15th of each year.  Occasionally, claim owners can work into the end of October to the beginning of November if the cold can be tolerated.  Outside of the above listed mining season the claim is inaccessible due to the sheer amount of snow volume this area receives over the winter months.

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Satellite Claim Map

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The yearly maintenance fee is paid up till 09/01/2027.

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Recommended Gold Recovery Methods

Gravity River Sluicing & Gold Panning
 

Land Ownership Status

Forest Service​​​

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What Is Included In The Purchase

1. Quit Claim Deed

2. Google Earth Map

3. Waterproof 24X36 hardcopy 1:24,000 Map

4. Corner & Discovery Point GPS Coordinates

5. 2 Hours of Free Complimentary Consulting

6. Certificate of Location Copy

 

Prospecting Disclaimer

The Union Park Gold 012 Unpatented Placer Claim CO# 106812437 is an Unpatented Federal Mining Claim.  Any form of mining or prospecting is barred without prior approval from Gunnison Gold Prospecting Company prior to purchase without express written permission.  This website listing does not constitute or convey approval from Gunnison Gold Prospecting Company to mine or prospect the claim in any capacity.  Mineral theft is a Federal offense and is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as listed in the 1872 Federal Mining Laws. 

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Next Steps

• Contact Me

• Setup A Prospecting Day if you would like to test the claim before purchase (Optional)

• Buy Outright or Finance In House

Contact Information

 

Tyler Long

Lead Prospector

Gunnison Gold Prospecting Company

Direct Line:  970-901-9043

tyler@gunnisongoldprospecting.com 

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Copies Of Original Placer Claim Location Certificate