See further down the listing the Buying Process and how to purchase my claim.

See with the pictures maps and satellite views.

Click on the top listing picture then arrow right to see all.

Located at the base of Mt. Bradley, where Winter snow thaw deposits gold and gems as go up the mountain side.

Yellowstone National Park is less than 2 hours southeast.

The TV series Yellowstone with Kevin Costner is filmed just West of this claim.

A mining claim is an affordable way to enjoy the beauty of the land combined with the adventure of panning for gold, using your rock hammer, chisel, and shovel looking for gems up the mountain ridges on the claim.

Owning a mining claim is having access to a lifetime of great family fun and recreation, in a very beautiful, natural setting.

You would be acquiring an experience that will give you a good feel for what the old time prospectors must have felt during the days of the original Montana Gold Rush.

Our claim is located in the Tobacco Root Mountains being well known for gold and gem discoveries.

The TV show, American Gold: The Legend of Bear Gulch, on the Fox Business Channel, takes place in these same mountains.

The TV series, Yellowstone with Kevin Costner, was filmed just West of this area.

The movie, The River Runs Thru it, with Brad Pitt, was filmed not too far away.

A great plus is having Yellowstone National Park less than a 2 hour drive South.

The Willow Creek Reservoir with boating and fishing is 15 miles away.

National Forests remained open at all times during the virus with a televised invitation by the Director for families to visit them as safe places for family recreation, making our mining claims some of the safest places for your family to enjoy and get away from all the nonsense.

A lode claim differs from our placer claims, as on a lode claim you can dig into the mountain side and can even go to the extent of building a mine shaft.

Having a lode claim is an advantage as you can dig into the claim with a mine shaft if you choose that is not allowed on placer claims.

A quartz/gold vein was discovered on the claim extending thru the claim.

Our lode claim has veins of valuable minerals including gold in veins (called lodes) cutting thru rocks. Quartz and gold are frequently found together and digging into the quartz vein is called chasing the vein.

A vein of quartz/gold runs South to North thru the middle of the claim.

On the claim I found a quartz vein with gold traces in the rock.

Pick and shovel, rock hammer and chisel, metal detector, and is hard rock mining.

I did not expose the whole vein, though was able to follow it going through the claim, intermittently.

The process of lode, hard rock mining, is the process where gold is extracted directly from the lode vein beneath the ground. Dig down about 3 feet as go through the claim, then pick, shovel, and rock hammer working the sides of that hole. Filling in the holes when leave the claim as required by the national forest.

For the use of any machinery, you need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval.

Scratch your rock ore against an unglazed white ceramic streak plate.

If it's gold, it will leave a golden streak. Or scratch the surface of the specimen with a knife. Gold is a soft metal that will show scratch marks.

The claim is located in the Tobacco Root Mountains having a history of gold production.

It is a good sign that there are other claims in this area being worked by experienced prospectors for years.

BUYING PROCESS:

To purchase my claim, the process would be, I would need your name(s) and mailing address, where I would then scan and email you a signed contract.

Total price of $3500, paid in one full payment where your ownership is then transferred after receiving payment.

A $199 deed processing fee is paid with payment, total = $3699.

After receiving your payment, your ownership of the 20.66 acre claim will be legally recorded with the Montana Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder.

MADISON COUNTY: Down in Southwest Montana, sharing a tiny portion of its southern border with Idaho is Madison County. This mountainous part of Montana is wedged between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and its residents maintain their local traditions that are inspired by the natural landscape, like fishing, ranching, and all things outdoors.

The county seat is Virginia City, an interesting place split between the historic and the contemporary. Half of the town contains a vibrant, current-day population, while the other half is an abandoned mining town, preserved as a slice of history and a window into the lives of settlers from the mid-1800s.

While Virginia City is probably the countys largest touristic draw, the nearby town of Ennis is a delightful stop for passers-through, and is host to many annual events. Though it doesnt immediately border Yellowstone National Park, Madison County, and more specifically Ennis, can make a great base from which to explore the park.

SOUTHWEST MONTANA ROCKHOUNDING

Rockhounding is more than just a hobby; it is a lifestyle.

There's a reason Montana is known as the Treasure State and that Southwest Montana where our claims are located is especially rich for gold and precious gems.

Even today, you can tap into the euphoria of making a find in Montana.

A century and a half ago, these hills crawled with prospectors lured by rich gold strikes.

Aquamarine, sapphires, garnets, amethyst, smoky quartz, clear quartz scepters, jaspers, topaz, and even diamnonds are also to be found in this part of Montana.

Because of such an availability of gems to be found, there are many Mineral and Gem Clubs throughout the state.

The geology of Montana had a history of volcanic activity which is largely responsible for the wide variety of interesting rocks and minerals to be found here.

MADISON COUNTY

Madison County has some of the worlds best fly-fishing and endless other outdoor activities.

Close enough to Yellowstone National Park to visit, but far enough to be away from the crowds, this county has something for everybody during all seasons

throughout the year.

Amazing mountain views, spectacular trout fishing, and Cowboy Culture are just a few reasons to visit Madison Valley.

During the summer months, there are endless options for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, biking, and kayaking.

The Big Sky Ski resort is an hour and half SE with all the winter activities.

Nearby Willow Creek Reservoir is a fishing access site that also has camping.

Fishing and boating may be enjoyed on the lake with a boat launch provided.

MADISON VALLEY

The Madison Valley where our claims are located, is an area rooted in farming and ranching with blue ribbon rivers, majestic mountain ranges, abundant wildlife, and small towns with rural values.

Lewis and Clark crossed this scenic valley of majestic mountain ranges and the fabled Madison River in 1805, but not until 1864, shortly after gold was first discovered in the valley, did Madison County become part of Montana Territory.

Today, rural and community values keep ranching as the main way of life in the Madison Valley. Through conservation, the Madison Valley has sustained productive agricultural land, healthy grasslands, and abundant wildlife.

In addition to its old west charm, the Madison Valley has arguably the most superb fly-fishing waters in all the world and the Madison River may be our most glorious. Meriwether Lewis named the river in 1805 after James Madison, who was the US Secretary of State at the time. Starting in Yellowstone National Park, the river is 183 miles of perfectly moving riffles that are teaming with trout.

Ennis is the base camp of the Madison Valley, a colorful town filled with fly anglers and ranchers,

Ennis sits on the banks of the Madison River and is surrounded by 3 mountain ranges.

I am a retired teacher, and got into prospecting as a hobby with my family.

I am 74 and my wife 72, and we have gained the experience to select the best areas to locate claims.

We feel we are selling more than the gold and minerals on beautiful land.

Mining Claims as an investment: if you purchase a claim from us, at no charge, I would help you if you ever decided to sell in the future.

Mining Claims are a great investment, as claims go up in value over time, just as land does.

TOBACCO ROOT MOUNTAINS

The Tobacco Root Mountains lie in the northern Rocky Mountains, between the Jefferson and Madison Rivers in southwest Montana.

The highest peak is Hollowtop at 10,604 feet (3,232 m). The range contains 43 peaks rising to elevations greater than 10,000 feet (3048 m).

Much of the central part of the range is within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The range saw significant gold mining, especially during the 1880s to 1930s.

TOWN OF PONY

Pony, as a gateway into the Tobacco Root Mountains, may be categorized as a ghost town in much of todays literature about Montana, but it certainly has a lot of real people hanging around to be a ghost town.

Hidden in the Tobacco Root Range of the Montana Rockies is the historic gold mining town of Pony, Montana. It languishes in the beauty of the Deer Lodge National Forest at the base of Hollowtop Mountain. Less than one hundred families live in Pony today.

It's hard to imagine that during the gold prospecting days, over 5,000 people lived here. In 1860-1870, settlers coming West for the gold rush found this beautiful spot.

One was a man named Tecumseh Smith, nicknamed 'Pony' because of his small stature.

Gold mining in Pony between 1870-1880 was profitable. Five million dollars in ore was taken out. The historic 'brick office', assay office, is still standing and part of the town's character.

The Tobacco Root Mountains and surrounding areas are familiar grounds for elk, moose, deer, and antelope. And the bird hunting is great too: duck, geese, quail, turkey, pheasant, and more.

TOWN OF ENNIS

Ennis is surrounded by three beautiful mountain ranges: the Madison Range, the Gravelly Range, and the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to its majestic mountain view, Ennis also offers access to some of the finest river locations in the state by way of the picturesque Madison River. Ennis is a good-time western town and is full of cowboys, anglers and outdoor recreationists. It is the center for activities on the Madison River, which is renowned for its first-rate trout fishing.

ENNIS LAKE

The lake is 5000 acres and is just north of the town of Ennis,

Its nearness to Yellowstone National Park makes Ennis Lake and its surrounding region a great home base from which to navigate a southwestern Montana vacation.

The depth of the 2.5-mile long lake ranges somewhere between 8 and 20 feet, and the water is warm and ideal for a variety of water sports like windsurfing.

Ennis Lake is for all seasons and draws in water-loving recreation enthusiasts, and in winter it is especially popular for ice skating and ice fishing.

BOZEMAN

Bozeman is called the most livable place for good reason.

Enjoy world-renowned fly fishing, dramatic mountains for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, hunting, and backcountry exploring, Yellowstone National Park, and impressive wildlife.

When you are ready for a more city experience, dive into Bozemans thriving arts and culture communities, ranging from main street festivals, farmers markets, cultural centers and museums to symphonies, theaters, and art galleries.

Nearby Potosi Hot Springs is a rustic ranch resort along the South Willow Creek located in Southwestern Montana that offers fishing and hiking. Potosi boasts an outdoor hot springs pool, an indoor river rock soaking tub, and wood burning sauna. Accommodations are available.

Nearby Potosi Campground and Picnic Area is spread out over a very large space of land near the city of Pony. Drinking water is available during the Summer and Winter and there are also picnic tables, toilets, and parking.

If within one year you are not satisfied with your claim, you can trade for another comparable claim, just paying the BLM and County transfer fees which will be about $125.

You will also receive a free Prospecting Kit once you have paid for your claim that includes,

a Rockhounding Geology Hammer Tool, Rock Pick Axe, 3 PCS Digging Chisels Kit, with Musette Bag, and a Compass. See picture of that kit with the listing pictures.

Gold and gems discovered in our own prospecting along with the beauty of the area, makes for awesome camping and prospecting.

This is a 20.66 acre unpatented, gold and gem mining lode claim, the Willow Creek Lode #5, in the Tobacco Root Mountains that are part of the Rocky Mountains, and in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

The claim is legally registered with the Montana Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder.

You own the mineral rights, not sharing with others, on the 20.66 acres, and use your 20.66 acres recreationally for camping and prospecting in an awesome, beautiful area.

For any building like a shed, you need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval. For anything to live in, you would need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval, and to be considered, you would need to have developed a full-time mining operation.

For the possibility of constructing any building you for others could live in, you need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval, showing you have developed a full-time operation performing diligent mining.

You do not need a plan, permission nor a permit to camp and prospect.

You do not need to be a full time prospector to file a Plan for a shed type structure.

With an approved BLM Plan of Operation, a building can be built on the land: any building that benefits and improves the claim.

As stated by the BLM, this can be the "construction of a building, road, fence, or enclosure necessary for mining."

Current usage, is what the BLM calls, Casual Use: panning, shovel, rock hammer, metal detector, creek powered sluice box, where no permission nor permit is needed to camp and prospect.

On our visits to the claim, we gathered in the mineral vein, approx. 1/4 of an ounce of gold, being worth about $450. As the BLM does not specify the amount of gold to be found to locate a claim other than a valuable mineral needs to be discovered, we use this amount for a 20.66 acre claim as a projection of good gold potential. Someone with more time may find more.

Gold prices are over $3000/ounce. Though we could never guarantee what you will find, we did locate this claim in an historically rich area for gold prospecting.

Gold in just one year has gone up over $500 per ounce.

We also found some nice specimens of aquamarine and crystals on the claim.

You are allowed to post No Trespassing for Prospecting signs in and around the claim.

A mining claim owner may limit or restrict public recreational use of/or public access across claims or portions of claims that are actively used for prospecting, mining, or processing operations where public recreational use of a claim would endanger or materially interfere with legitimate mining pursuits.

Camp on your claim or area national forest campgrounds.

A claim owner does not need permission nor a permit to camp and prospect.

You can prospect as little or as much as you like.

Now that we have located the claim, you never have to declare to the BLM any gold or gems you find.

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20.66 acres = parcel size of 600 ft. x 1500 ft.

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This claim in this wonderful area has direct legal road access on a National Forest Road, with areas for camping, and gold and gems discovered in prospecting.

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BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST

Our claims are located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

The largest of the national forests in Montana, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, covers 3.35 million acres and lies in eight Southwest Montana counties.

The forest provides timber, minerals, and grazing lands. It also offers breath-taking scenery for a wide variety of recreational pursuits.

Whether it's wilderness trekking in the Anaconda-Pintler or Lee Metcalf wildernesses, driving the Gravelly Range Road or Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, or camping in one of the 50 small to medium-sized campgrounds in the forest, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge has it all.

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A transfer of ownership is a sale of legal, exclusive ownership of a mining claim site.

To be a legally recorded claim, a valuable mineral had to be found on the claim, which was completed by us, as we are the original claim locators.

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Your ownership is legally conveyed via a Quit Claim deed, and legally recorded with the Montana BLM and the Madison County Recorder. A Quit Claim deed is the required legal document per the BLM.

Each year, on or before September 1st, you need to file a simple form with the Bureau of Land Management, along with $200, or you can pay the fee online with the BLM by credit card.

By doing this, you keep the claim forever.

I have paid the fee, due again September 1, 2025.

You must be a current US citizen with a US address to own a mining claim in the US.

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An unpatented mining claim is a specific parcel of federal land, valuable for a specific mineral deposit or deposits. It is a parcel for which an individual has asserted a legal right of possession and the right to develop and extract a discovered, valuable, mineral deposit.

Mining claims are real property that you can buy, sell, or inherit.

After proving the existence of valuable minerals on the land, the claim is legally recorded with the Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder.

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The Willow Creek Lode #5 is an unpatented, gold lode mining claim, surrounded by beautiful Rocky Mountain ranges.

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Your 20.66 acres is located in the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and part of the NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 21, Township 3 South, Range 3 West, Montana Meridian, known as the Willow Creek Lode #5 mining claim, in the Tobacco Root Mountains.

BLM claim number: MT106322293

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

12 miles SW of the town of Pony.

Take Madison Street out of Pony,

to a right on Potosi Road.

then slight right onto South Willow Creek Road, which is the claim road,

going past the Potosi Campground and Hot Springs,

then using GPS coordinates below to the claim.

59 miles West of Bozeman where we fly into.

GPS Coordinates:

Willow Creek Lode #5

NW 45.5636, -111.9698

NE 45.5636, -111.9676

SW 45.5596, -111.9698

SE 45.5596, -111.9676

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The claim location monument has a 4 foot wooden post with copy of Location Notice attached, as required by the State of Montana.

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Gold occurs in gravels in the metallic state and when so found has various physical characteristics. Gold is dense and heavy, it has a characteristic metallic color, and it is soft and easily malleable (it is easily formed by hammering). These are the characteristics used by prospectors to identify gold in the field.

Lode gold occurs on the claim usually in quartz veins derived from gossan formed by weathering, and oxidation of the gold, copper and iron rich veins. Gold is derived from the erosion of mineralized fault zones on the claim.

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Additional Features:

Year round Willow Creek for fishing.

Beautiful Rock specimens for you Rock Hounds.

Located in one of the most beautiful mountain areas in the US.

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The Federal Government owns the land.

You are purchasing the mineral rights.

You own the mineral rights, including gold and gems on the claim, as real property, being the same legal ownership as for land and homes.

Prospect, explore, on the whole 20.66 acres.

You can camp on a claim while prospecting.

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BUYING PROCESS:

To purchase my claim, the process would be, I would need your name(s) and mailing address, where I would then scan and email you a signed contract.

Total price of $3500, paid in one full payment where your ownership is then transferred after receiving payment.

A $199 deed processing fee is paid with payment, total = $3699.

After receiving your payment, your ownership of the 20.66 acre claim will be legally recorded with the Montana Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder. The quit claim deed is the correct document to be recorded for a mining claim, as stated by the BLM. This is not a sharing with others of your 20.66 acre claim.

We live in Ohio. Our connection to the West is our daughter lives in Denver, though she is not involved with our claims. We visited her in September, then went to prospect and locate mining claims in other states, including Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, as we have been doing for a number of years.

And just a note of encouragement for you if purchase:

My wife and I have located, prospected on, and sold mining claims in

California, Colorado, Arizona, and now also in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, for now over 25 years.

You can trust we will process your notarized deeds correctly and quickly.

In that mining claims are processed thru the Bureau of Land Management, a Federal Govt. agency, not following thru per our legally signed contract, would be a federal crime. I certainly will do what I say, and would never put myself nor my wife in any legal jeopardy.

Also, we have sold properties on 3 sites online for over 25 years:

Landwatch, LandsofAmerica, and LandandFarm.

Our continued good status on these sites is due to our always following thru, as just one time we would not, we would not be allowed to sell on these sites ever again.

COMMENTS FROM SATISFIED CLAIM BUYERS:

"Living in Colorado, the purchase of our mining claim from you has been great for family fun and recreation. We have camped overnight a number of times, and panned for gold in the creek. We were even able to find gold flakes on several of our attempts. Thank you so much!."

I'm looking forward to having some time on the mining claim.

We used to go camping 4-6 weeks out of the year.

Even though I realize this is a retirement business for you. I wanted to say thank you for giving so many people over the years the opportunity to purchase your claims. I've seen them available for a long time, but never had the opportunity to purchase anything. They have probably brought many smiles to so many people. It will be the same for us.

"We purchased 2 mining claims from Michael Leu over the last 2 years, one in Montana, and one In Colorado. We have been to our claims on several occasions, and we could not be happier! They are exactly as described, and our camping on our claims and prospecting in the creek on each claim is the highlight of our vacations. You can trust Mr. Leu. If you are looking for a great time in the awesome beauty of the west, buying a mining claim from Mr. Leu will be a blessing."