New mining claim and some questions

[jason]

Hi,
I just got a new mining claim and was wondering what everyone here does when they first get a claim and what can you do to the land? Can I make a trail using a billy goat mower to get to it easier? I am in Cali.
Thanks

[Geo-George]

As I recall,......
Use of a motorized vehicle, of any type, is not allowed off of an established road.
You can clear a foot trail by hand as long as you do not remove any trees over 2" diameter.

[Hoser John]

If'n a tree falls in the forest and noone hears or sees it does that mean it never fell??? BLM manual at blm.gov says trail maintence is a legal work requirement for labor and egress and regress is mandated and protected under the mining laws and MUCH further codified under the Nixon administration(and yes ol' trickie Dickie did something right) BUT--god I hate that word--your land designation-ie--wild--wild and scenic-national monument-etc stc matter bigtime ---tons a au 2 u 2-John PS--make a trail and others will follow, of that you can bet on

[CalGoldDredger]

I put trail maintenance down on my BLM assessment work every year for each of our claims, I just leave out the part about the grading blade on the back of the ATV or the chainsaw for that matter.
Sometimes that is just about all I do for some of the claims.

Making a new trail, have at it, just be discrete with a touch of careful. Don't ask, don't tell.

Now lets remember they don't want the ATV's on the Forest Service roads or off of them, what, pretty much banned. Well at least to those who abide. Dumb arse road plans.

[jason]

Thanks for the info.
So when you guys got your claim(s), besides working it what were some of the things you did first??

[Hoser John]

Prayed loaded the gun and always watch your back mark your trail to id tresspass/thieves get a partner /trainee to mine with for safety sake LEARN your atv and ALWAYS wear a hot stinkn' helmet so ya don't have to post obits for those who folly to think their head is harder than a rock,toooooooo many deaths from atvs this year---tons a au 2 u 2 -John

[CalGoldDredger]

Sealed lips, loaded gun, and most important hard work. Hey good luck.

[jason]

Guess I need to get myself a gun? haha I had one but sold it years ago.
How do you guys clear a trail? And I was thinking of clearing a trail but leaving the first 10-15 feet of the entrance untouched so its harder for others to follow.
There is an old logging road thats overgrown nearby, are you allowed to put up a gate?? Right now the forest service has an overgrown mound of dirt there but my 4x4 has no probs getting over it.

[Hoser John]

NO GATES NEVER-the public has the right to camp,hunt,fish and play in your paradise. Their egress and regress is guaranteed through the mining laws just the same as yours are. DO anything possible to keep it rough as far as you can and go in/out on a different path as much as possible. BUY A GUN-.357 mag and larger as there are NO do overs in the hills,just happy critters a nibblin' on whats left. Keep your nose in the wind as this time a year ya smell skunk it ain't the critter it's the buds and it's war in kalif as in the wild wild west with illegal gangs killn' folks and burning down their homes whilst they're STILL ALIVE ,ductapped or shot in the head too -John