Ayers Claim

About This Claim

“Ayers Claim” 20 Placer Mining Claim

Sierra County, California - Gold Past Producer

The Ayers Claim is a past producing gold placer mining claim, measuring 20 acres, located next to the striking Northern Sierra Buttes in the beautiful Tahoe National Forest! Situated at the junction between two rivers, the Ayers Claim placer double-dips into two gold-rich streams! The Church Creek upon which the claim sits can be panned and mined year round, but it’s adjoining partner only flows seasonally in spring and parts of summer. Some miners might see this as a hindrance, but more enterprising miners will find the variability of the dry times to be a unique stroke of luck.

Known to be a gold-rich valley, the terrain surrounding the Ayers Claim is known to push gold down to Sierra City via its many rivers stemming from the Salmon Lakes, Stag Lake, and the aptly-named Gold Lake herself. The gold in the mountains, once captured by lode mines like the Lone Wolf Group, the still fiercely-guarded Monarch Mine, and the wonderfully well-understood Jamison Mine, now only reveal themselves from yearly rain and snowfall. Quaternary glaciers form new tills and moraines as they make their way down the mountains, using the weight of gravity and tons of ice to scrape off new chunks of gold and other minerals from the mountain, where melting ice and snow trickle and roll them into the local creeks, rivers, and lakes!

Because of this process, gold seems to keep springing up in these streams and lakes! Constantly renewing itself every year with fresh water and minerals, the Ayers Claim sits on coveted ground! Finding a claim on the local rivers can be hard, and being such a short distance from the beautiful Gold and Salmon Lakes, the Ayers Claim is the perfect place to camp close to the refreshing waters and fishing available on the lake while keeping distance from the summer crowds. Of course, being so close, you could rent one of the many cabins up at the lake and come down to your private claim to mine! The choice is yours…

But that’s not all. Wild deer can be seen tip-toeing through the claim if your eyes are sharp. And if the nights up in the Sierras become a little too cold, following the Gold Lake Highway South to Sierra City will provide you with warm beds, food, and drink as quick as a 15-minute drive!

Ayers Claim 20 Acre Placer Claim

Type of Claim	Unpatented Placer; CA106713089
Size of Claim	20 Acres
Commodities	Gold.
Past Production	Yes.
State, County	California, Sierra
Accessibility	Developed Mountain Highway
Deposit Type	Quartz-type, glacial deposits
Cell Phone Reception	4GLTE All Networks
Relics	No.

Discovery Monument & Claim Boundaries

The Four Corners

Ayers Claim

NE	39.649763°, -120.631546°
NW	39.649741°, -120.636206°
SE	39.647928°, -120.631546°
SW	39.647933°, -120.636208°

Discovery Monument

Monument	39.648861°, -120.635116°

Corner and monument coordinates (WGS84) read from the claim’s official Google Earth KMZ boundary file.

• View the claim on the interactive map
• ↓ Download the Google Earth KMZ of “Ayers Claim” boundaries

Economic Features

Type of Claim	Unpatented Placer Claim
Size of Claim	20 Acres
Commodities	Gold, Silver

Ore Body Information

Width	N/A
Ore Body Type	Quaternary Glacial
Development	Prospected
District Name	Northern Sierra Buttes

Development Status

Operation Type	Surface Placer
Development Status	Inactive

“Ayers Claim” Mineral Rights Transfer Process

A mining claim gives the holder the right to mine on mineral-rich land that belongs to the federal government. Mining claims are a tangible asset and show proof of all interests in minerals in the area. They can be bought, sold or used as collateral, just like any other piece of real estate.

A mining claim can be sold, traded, leased, gifted, willed, used as collateral or transferred in part or in its entirety just like any other real property using a quitclaim deed which is a recordable conveyance. Questions about the transfer process can be answered by contacting us anytime. All fees and paperwork current and assessment fees are paid through Sept. 1st 2026.

It’s easy to maintain this claim after purchase:

If you have less than 10 claims, you are eligible to file a small miners exemption and the cost to maintain is only $10 per year per claim. Contact us anytime for help maintaining your claim. Full details on maintaining your claim can be found on the BLM’s website here.

The filing and transfer service will be done on your behalf and completed within 48 hours after purchase. Buy this claim now with the Paypal™ link below.

Purchasing the “Ayers Claim”

Now you can buy mineral rights online and we handle all the dirty work! Contact us anytime to pay by cash or check.

• Full mineral rights transfer in 7-10 days for “Ayers Claim”
• Official certificates of location, claim location and digital parameter maps
• Email based support for claim maintenance and questions

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Owner-Financed…

… and other options available. Contact us to make an offer and more. See financing full terms.

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• Temporary conveyance of mineral rights
• You get full access to mine the claim during the finance period
• Email based support for claim maintenance and questions

After your purchase is complete you will be requested to fill out our new claim owner form with your name/address or add any additional claimants you want on the claim.

You’ll get digital copies of your COL and Map of Location in to your claim(s) will be delivered via email via PDF format as well as Google Earth™ KMZ map file with your claims discovery, corners and points of interest.

We handle all the filing and transfer services on your behalf. Expect to get official stamped/recorded copies of your paperwork mailed to you from the Sierra County Recorders Office and the California Bureau of Land Management officiating you as the new claimant within 10 days of purchase.

Access & Location

The Ayers Claim sits roughly 7.5 miles north-northeast of Sierra City along the Gold Lake Highway corridor, a well-traveled recreational route through the Lakes Basin area of the Tahoe National Forest.

• Primary access via the Gold Lake Highway — note that this route is seasonally closed in winter due to snow
• Sierra City — approximately 7.5 miles to the south-southwest, with fuel, groceries, and lodging
• Nearby recreation — Gold Lake, Goose Lake, Stag Lake, and Upper & Lower Salmon Lake are all within a few miles, offering fishing, boating, and cabin rentals for visitors who want more than a tent
• Two mapped water sources in the immediate claim vicinity — Church Creek and Salmon Creek

Plan summer and early fall visits for the most reliable road access; check current Forest Service conditions before making the trip in shoulder-season months.

Mineralization & Commodities

The Ayers Claim is a placer mining claim located in Sierra County, California, one of the richest gold-producing counties in the Golden State. Sierra County has a storied mining history dating back to the California Gold Rush of 1849, and continues to produce gold for recreational and small-scale miners today.

Primary and secondary commodities on this claim include:

Sierra County is underlain by a complex assemblage of metamorphic and volcanic rocks that host extensive gold-bearing quartz vein systems. Over millions of years, erosion of these lode deposits has created rich placer accumulations in the county’s streams and rivers. The Ayers Claim targets one of these proven placer environments.

Geology & Setting

The Ayers Claim is situated in California’s legendary Mother Lode country. The claim area is characterized by:

• Historic placer deposits in a proven gold-bearing watershed
• Gravel and alluvial deposits with potential for fine and coarse gold
• Bedrock exposures suitable for crevicing and sampling
• Historic mining activity in the immediate area
• Accessible location within California’s gold country

This claim offers an affordable entry point into California gold mining, with proven geology and a rich district history supporting its potential.

Claim Features at a Glance

• 20 acres of unpatented placer ground, per the surveyed claim boundary
• Unpatented placer claim in Sierra County, California
• BLM-verified — active and in good standing
• On Church Creek, with Salmon Creek nearby — year-round water access
• Sierra County, California — historic gold rush district with proven production
• Gold and silver potential — placer deposits from upstream lode sources
• Camping permitted on BLM land with proper notice
• All paperwork included in sale price — quitclaim deed drafted, notarized, and filed with BLM and Sierra County

About Sierra County, California

Sierra County is one of California’s most historically significant gold-producing regions. The county was established during the California Gold Rush and has produced gold continuously for over 170 years. The district encompasses the northern portion of the Mother Lode belt, with numerous historic mining towns including Downieville, Sierra City, and Alleghany.

The county’s geology consists of slate, greenstone, and granitic rocks that host extensive gold-bearing quartz veins. Placer deposits derived from these lode sources have been worked by prospectors using everything from gold pans to hydraulic monitors. Modern recreational miners continue to find color in the county’s streams and gulches.

The Ayers Claim sits within this proven mineralized environment, offering both the security of a historic district and the potential for new discoveries.

Why Buy Through Mountain Man Mining?

• 7+ years in business with hundreds of successful claim transfers
• BLM-verified listings — every claim is confirmed active before listing
• All paperwork handled — no guesswork, no missed deadlines
• Free consultations — talk through the claim, the process, and your goals before you buy
• Post-sale support — we’re available to answer questions even after you own it

Claim Setting & Local Gold History

The Ayers Claim is a surveyed 20-acre placer claim located in Sierra County, California, at the foot of the Northern Sierra Buttes in the Tahoe National Forest. Situated on Church Creek, the claim benefits from year-round water and sits within a short distance of Salmon Creek as well.

Sierra County is one of California's richest gold-producing regions. The terrain surrounding the claim pushes gold down toward Sierra City via drainages stemming from Salmon Lakes, Stag Lake, Goose Lake, and Gold Lake. Historic lode mines in the district — including the Lone Wolf Group, Sebastopol Mine, Wallis Mine, Great Northern Mine, and Young America Mine — once captured this gold in the mountains; today, annual rain and snowfall release new material into the local creeks and rivers. Quaternary glaciers continue forming new tills and moraines, scraping fresh minerals from the mountain bedrock and depositing them into the watershed.

The claim sits within easy reach of Gold Lake and Salmon Lake, making it an ideal base for prospectors who want to camp near refreshing mountain water and fishing while staying clear of summer crowds. Cabin rentals are available at the lakes for those who prefer a roof over their heads.