Independence Mountain — Jackson County

Source: Tom Ashworth's Prospectors Cache (tomashworth.com / Mike Higbee / 49erMike). Author: Tom Ashworth. Original page: jackson_co.shtml. State index: https://web.archive.org/web/20040830075749/http://www.tomashworth.com/goldloc.shtml Area: Independence Mountain. Map coordinates are an approximate county centroid — not a precise claim site. Reported by: Tom Peden On the northern edge of North Park, is the ridge known as Independence mountain. This mountain has a 'cap' of gold bearing gravels, deposited on it through glacial action. There is no lode source of the gold found in this gravel. These placers were found in the 1800's. And is the site of an Indian raid, where a couple of miners lost their life. There are numerous old diggings, and cabins. One of the cabins I have found, is interesting, in that the fireplace is made of mud and sticks. Certain layers of this gravel is quite rich with gold. Look for the typical rust stained gravels, in areas unworked previously. I have found pea size nuggets in this area, so a metal detector should work, although I have not found any nuggets with mine, lack of experience. To reach Independence mountain, go north from Walden, to Cowdry, west of Cowdry towards the Big Creek drainage. After crossing the North Fork of the Platte, you will see the mountain in the north. BLM signs mark the roads. The best access is about seven miles from Cowdry, at the Lake John's road intersection. Turn north, and follow the road up the steep grade to the top. One mile from the saddle, is the Mitchel Placer. Most of the mantle in this area contains gold. Numerous test holes, have exposed that the gold bearing layer is quite large. Find the rust stained layer.