El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society

Stifle Memorial Claims are situated on Traverse Creek, 1.3 miles from Georgetown Road (Highway 193) just off Meadow Brook Road. The Claims are now part of Traverse Creek Special Interest Area.

William Stifle's mining ventures included gold and, in the early 1900's, he submitted a claim for vesuvianite crystals, which were thought at that time to be emeralds, causing quite a stir! The El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society managed the Memorial Claims from 1954 to 1995, when the club relinquished the Claims to the Forest Service. The area is now part of the Traverse Creek Special Interest Area.

The Stifle Memorial is part of the Mt. Murphy earthquake fault. It is located near the center of the El Dorado National Forest Special Interest Area used by equestrians, hunters, fishermen, botanical groups, rockhounds and people just wanting to enjoy nature.

Rockhounders search for variety of rocks and minerals including vesuvianite, grossularite garnet (massive garnet), diopside, idocrase, psilomelane, and tremolite, and pan for placer gold. The club hosts field trips and takes students from local elementary schools on study tours of this wonderful area.

There is not a fee for collecting on this site, nor is a formal permit required. However, jackhammer type digging is not allowed and over-collecting is prohibited. As with any site, care must be taken on the land to preserve it for our next generations.

As the Forest Service reminds us: PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAILS! For your safety and to preserve the vegetation in the area, please stay on the walking trails to get to the rock formations. One of the concerns in area is for Laynes's Butterweed, which flowers April through June below 2,000 feet. This plant is a very high priority sensitive plant and is officially listed by the Federal Government as threatened. This plant and others in the area should be left undisturbed.

For more information please check with the Georgetown Ranger Station, 7600 Wentworth Springs Road, Georgetown, CA 95634.

HISTORY OF STIFLE CLAIM MAP & DIRECTIONS CLAIMS MAP

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