I-4 SOUTH FORK OF INDIAN CREEK CLAIMS

LOCATION

RIVER:Indian Creek

COUNTY:Siskiyou County

STATE:California

Can be located by traveling 7.4 miles up Indian Creek Road From Happy Camp, and turning left to drive across the Indian Creek bridge (South Fork Road). The South Fork road splits .1 of a mile up from the bridge. These claims can be accessed going in either direction. You can reach a good camping area and creek access point by taking the right fork in the road, and traveling .4 of a mile, to turn left onto a primitive access road. This road will lead you to the creek and camping area. Watch for New 49'er directional signs. Following the left hand fork of South Fork road will put you on Forest Service road #17N32. Shortly thereafter, you will cross another South Fork bridge. The New 49'er South Fork claim is located .6 of a mile further up the road, on the right. The lower boundary is posted on the side of this road, and is also posted down along the creek, just upstream from a steel cable which crosses the creek. The upper creek boundary adjoins private property and is very well marked. There is also a side creek which enters South Fork from the left side when looking upstream. It is located near the upper end of the South Fork claim. This side creek also carries gold, and is part of the south fork claim. Watch for New 49'er directional claim signs.

The entire South Fork claim has been producing excellent gold for our members using dredges. The gold has been found in hard packed streambed along the bedrock. Much of the upper end of the claim has been dredged. The lower end may still be pretty much unworked. Look for hardpacked natural streambed. The gold is nuggety and jewelry grade. Also, the side creek carries good gold, and for the most part, has not yet been prospected or mined. Several members ere highbanking up this side creek and did very well. You can still see the excavation if you go look. Overall, the prospects in this area are very good in the areas which still have hardpacked streambeds in place.