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 Cache Creek

The historic Cache Creek placer of Colorado has been acquired by the BLM and they have been working for the past few years, in conjunction with the Gold Prospectors of Colorado, to open and keep it open, for use by gold prospectors and the public.  Their goal is to provide an area for gold prospecting that is off the Arkansas River, to help manage the prospecting impact on the river. There are many regulations that must be followed for use of this area, and as long as people will cooperate, this area will be open to gold prospecting for many years to come.  However, be aware that if too many problems arise from this area, BLM can and will close it.  Please be polite and respectful of each other and we can continue to enjoy the experience of this long time gold bearing region for some time.  General information about the area is provided here, and updated as things change.  Please check back when you are coming, to see if anything new is happening that you will need to comply with.

 

Watch this page for 2010 updates as they become available.  Meetings are underway now concerning this season's regulations and restrictions.

 

 

Cache Creek BLM public prospecting is open from approximately Memorial Day weekend until the end of November.  The area can be found west of the Granite Store by turning west at the store and taking the road that travels behind it and around the hill to the west.  Travel this road until you reach the power lines.  You will find a road that travels south along the power lines known as the Power Line Road.  The BLM sign above will be at the entrance to this area.  Take this road to the Day Use parking lot.  You made it!  If you are camping in this area, please be advised that you may not camp or sleep in your car in the parking lot.  There are several camping areas near by, and the Forest Service will be encouraging you to use other camping facilities in the area.  Also, motorized vehicles are not allowed off road and must be parked within 30 feet of the road.

The parking lots are for day use ONLY.  Any one who was in the area in '09 please note that the no camping signs may be moved this spring approximately 200 feet farther back from the day use parking areas. This is to further separate the prospecting and camping areas and help with congestion on the road. The usual 14 day limit on camping used state wide will be observed.  The parking space directly to the east of the kiosk is reserved for the Camp Host, which is the only camp allowed in the parking lot and may be used ONLY by the designated host for the week.

Cache Creek requires a special 10 day limit use permit for motorized highbankers.  Permit papers can be downloaded from the BLM link below and sent in to be returned to you.  If you do not apply before you come to the area, you can fill them out and pay the fee in Salida at the Headwaters Group building.

New for '09:  Volunteer 'Camp Hosts' will be setting up at Cache Creek to help new people with questions and to help with any problems that might arise.  These hosts will cover the season as best they can, and will try very hard to be available from about 8:00a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  If they are camping, they will be the only camp allowed in the parking lot, and will be using the parking space directly to the east of kiosk. 'Camp Hosts' will have their camp or vehicle clearly marked, and they will have identifying hats to wear.  Some of these volunteers may be in the area when they are NOT there as hosts, so if you need the camp host, please make sure you know who those people are for that day.

The 'camp hosts' are not there for enforcement, but will be checking permits and be able to contact BLM or law enforcement should the need arise.  All of the volunteers are prospectors and are looking forward to working with all of you.

Also, there will be a port-a-potty (we have two now!) available for use this year.  We have worked very hard and long to get this facility up there, so do not abuse it.  The 'Camp Host' will be able to contact the potty contractor if problems with it arise.

The pond work was completed last September with a couple of small ponds put in to help catch sediments before they get to the pond.

GOLD was found in an old bank to the south and east of the parking lot in the late spring of '07.  Many prospectors brought out some very nice gold from this old placer area that the old timers left due to values being too low for them to process.  There are also several places where sluices ran over and spilled gold in their tailings.  The BLM has assessed the use of this area in the Fall of '07, '08, and '09, and has determined, in conjunction with the Gold Prospectors of Colorado, that they will implement some further restrictions for this area.  Since the area was acquired by the BLM with conservation funds, certain regulations must be adhered to, to continue to have this area open to the public.   They are developing them now, and have published the page below as a first step to that end.  We will keep you informed of the changes as they occur.  In the mean time, click on http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/minerals/locatable_minerals/placer_mining/cache_creek.html to see what is happening.   Further regulations will be implemented before permits or use fees are finalized for 2010.  Watch for updates.

The small stream that runs to the south of the parking lot seems to have enough water to accommodate prospectors if they cooperate with each other and not run it all out of the stream, but return it quickly.  Bonding and permitting for use of this area is in the process of being changed.  Be aware that last year's regulations will not be the same as this year's.

Campers will be required to carry their own self containing bathroom facilities and limit the impact of waste products on the area, as well as confining campfires to metal receptacles so that campfires are off the ground, not in the day use parking lot, or within the highbanking marked boundary area.  This metal receptacle fire restriction is being imposed on most of the Arkansas in Colorado, so be advised that you may be required to do this in all Colorado forest areas soon, if not now.

 

 DREDGING WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED IN THE CACHE CREEK AREA OR ON CACHE CREEK.  PLEASE visit http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/minerals/locatable_minerals/placer_mining.html for the newest forms for '09.  Click around the pages to find the various permits you will need for the season and their restrictions.

 

Jan '10 has begun but we are waiting for finalization on the new regulations for this season. Wood from downed trees is available for campfire use in the area, however NOTE:  This wood MUST NOT BE REMOVED from Cache Creek.  The wood is highly infected with beetle and canker, and removal would spread both of these woodland scourges to other areas, a fact that Boulder County is now realizing.  Also be aware that you are required to burn all firewood in a metal receptacle that is off the ground.  The fire danger in Colorado will be high for years to come due to the number of trees dead and dying from pine beetle infestation.

 

 

CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS will continue as they were last year, with campfires being prohibited in the day use parking area and marked highbanking area.  All campfires will be required to be contained in a metal container so that the fire does not come in contact with the ground.

 

 

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