Mining for Gold

Michael Beatley went mining for gold, Sunday morning.

The gold he was searching for was in Meadow Valley, six miles west of Quincy.

Meadow Valley has long been a place people have searched for gold. In fact, the valley still has several active mining claims … for the valued metal.

Though, Beatley searches for a different type of gold, that found on branches, forest floors and besides creeks, not in them.

He headed to Big Creek where 21st century argonauts still hold claims, though it is accessible by hiking or climbing down the hillside to the creek.

There, bigleaf maple, mountain maple, Indian Rhubarb, creek dogwood and alder are the treasures he sought, and found them noting to return in a week or two when the gold will be more easily found.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• Big Creek, Meadow Valley (3,600′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Directions: drive six miles west of Quincy, past Spanish Peak to Big Creek Rd (the lower road to Bucks Lake) turn left and continue 1/4-mile past the OHV staging area parking lot.  Big Creek is a small mountain creek running below the road.