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Traverse Creek Special
Interest Area MAP
4.6 miles from G.T.
Easy, Mod. trails
Another excellent place close to Georgetown with plenty to see, easy
trails to explore, and gemstones to find is Traverse Creek. What more
should anyone ask for? This public land is managed by the Georgetown
District of the U.S.F.S. and special consideration is given for unusual
plants that have adapted to the unique offerings of Serpentine soil
(endemic plants). A kiosk near the parking lot offers information about
the unique geology, the botany, and the Native American’s use of the
local plants.
The area is also referenced in many Rock
and Mineral publications for the variety of rocks that can be found
here, including emeralds. It was a patented mining claim from 1918-54
when the Stifle family mined emeralds and sold them to Tiffany’s
jewelers in New York.
Bed rock mortars on the east side of the
creek lie in testament of the Native Americans who spent many moons
grinding acorns collected from the nearby Leather Oaks. Look for the
scruffy hardy miniature oak bushes endemic to the Serpentine soil.
Directions:
Take Highway 193 3.3 miles to Meadowbrook Rd. (before Black Oak Mine).
Turn Left for another 1.3 miles to where Meadowbrook Rd. ends at Bear
Creek Rd. The parking lot is on the left across the bridge.
Trails
are easy to follow looping around the
area with bridges provided over creeks. Thick chaparral (brush) thwarts
hikers from straying too far from the main trails, but many minor trails
present themselves for further exploring. The Mar Det trail
(moderately steep with easy sections) also leaves from this area
and goes all the way to Camp Virner (6 miles one way).
Serpentine Rock is associated with gold and a beltway of the rock traces
along the entire Mother Lode. Easy to recognize with its deranged
character of different shades of green, the stone enjoys the company of
mangled looking Grey Pines and Leather Oaks.
This trails of this area are unusually rocky and rough due to the nature
of the Serpentine. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended.
MAP
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