Salmon River Gold Claim
20 Acre Placer Claim in Siskiyou County, California
Claim Description
This epic 20-acre placer mining claim featured approximately 1,600 feet of the North Fork Salmon River in Siskiyou County, California. Located in the heart of California's historic Motherlode region, this claim offered exceptional access to one of the state's most productive gold-bearing rivers.
The North Fork Salmon River is renowned for its consistent gold production, with a history dating back to the California Gold Rush. This particular section of the river featured multiple promising gold trapping features including exposed bedrock, natural riffles, and varied terrain that creates ideal conditions for gold deposition.
The claim included year-round water flow, making it suitable for various mining methods including panning, sluicing, and highbanking. Test pans from the property showed consistent fine gold and occasional small nuggets, demonstrating the claim's ongoing production potential.
Location & Access
Located in Siskiyou County in Northern California, this claim was situated in an area known for its rich gold deposits and pristine natural beauty. Access was via well-maintained forest service roads, with a bridge crossing providing easy entry to the property. The claim was accessible most of the year, though winter access might be limited during heavy snow periods.
The property featured a mix of forested areas and open riverfront, providing both privacy and excellent working conditions. The surrounding National Forest land ensured a peaceful mining experience away from development and crowds.
Historical Production
The Salmon River has been a significant gold producer since the 1850s. This area was extensively worked during the Gold Rush era, with numerous mining operations extracting substantial amounts of gold. Modern prospectors continue to find gold in this river, with reports of both fine gold and occasional nuggets being recovered.
Test pans from the claim showed promising results, with visible gold flakes recovered from multiple locations along the claim's river frontage. The geological features of this particular claim, with its numerous natural gold traps and exposed bedrock, made it especially promising for continued production.
Sale Details
Claim Features
- Approximately 1,600 feet of North Fork Salmon River frontage
- Year-round water flow
- Multiple exposed bedrock sections with natural gold traps
- Proven gold recovery from test pans
- Good access via forest service roads with bridge
- Suitable for panning, sluicing, and highbanking
- Located in historic gold-producing region
Market Analysis
This claim sold quickly, reflecting the high demand for quality placer claims in Northern California, particularly those with good river access and proven gold recovery. Claims on the Salmon River are particularly sought after due to the river's consistent gold production history and relatively good access.
Similar claims in the area have sold for between $2,500 and $5,000 in 2025, with prices varying based on specific features, access quality, and documented gold recovery. This particular claim's sale price reflects its excellent combination of accessibility, river frontage, and mining potential.
Listing data sourced from eBay. Original listing sold on April 10, 2025.
California Gold Claims provides this information for market research purposes and was not involved in this transaction.
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