Willow Creek Jasper Mine Field Trip

Willow Creek Jasper Mine, Steve Schaps/Larry Ridley Field trip

The first two Willow Creek Jasper Mine trip of 2025 will be May 17 and May 24, led by Steve Schaps, Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology (IMMG). The trip is limited to 25. Members of the IMMG receive free admission. Non-member fee is $20 plus the Eventbrite fee. Children are free with a minimum age of 7 years.

--Steve will meet the group at the Little Gulch Parking area at 10 AM where he will conduct a mandatory safety meeting, review waivers, and organize the carpools into 4WD/High Clearance Vehicles. Vehicles are limited to 6-8 cars, so pack accordingly. If you bring a folding camp chair, make it as compact as possible.

--Steve has approval from Avimor for motor vehicle access on the specific dates of this field trip as long as weather permits (no muddy roads).

--1st stop will be at Willow Creek Canyon overlook and Sue Newbie Memorial Cross. This will a be short stop-30 minutes-before we come to the mine at 11am.

--At the mine Steve will give a short geologic overview. Larry can talk about the mining process and the jasper and thunder eggs. People can buy gem-quality jasper from Larry for cash and pick through the tailings for interesting rocks. So bring cash ($30-$100) if you want to purchase any finished jewelry or other product from Larry. Most of the trip involves searching for jasper and other rocks in the mine tailings piles.

General Information

• · No children under 7 years old.
• · No Dogs or pets, No smoking, no alcohol
• · No running, horseplay,
• · Outhouse available at the mine
• · Attendees will bring water, and lunch or snacks if want to eat something.
• · wear hiking boots or sturdy footwear,
• · bring sun hat, gloves, eye protection,
• · bring rock hammer or small sledge hammer, day pack, sunscreen, ---- Carpool in 4WD or high clearance vehicle to the mine. ·
• ·The Museum will supply you with boxes for your jasper from the mine.
• If you have a 4WD truck or SUV or high-clearance vehicle, please bring it and volunteer to be a carpool driver (20 miles round trip).
• Not suitable for young children under age 7 and anyone with balance issues or serious heat sensitivity.

Directions

• Take Hwy 55 from Eagle up to Beacon Light-2 miles from State Street.
• Turn Left onto Beacon Light and go 1.6 miles to Eagle Rd.
• Turn Right (North) on Eagle Road which is now called Willow Creek Road
• Go 3.3 miles up Willow Creek and pull into the large dirt parking lot area on the right side of the road. This is the Little Gulch hiking/equestrian area. We will be carpooling from this location after signing waivers and safety discussion which is Mandatory.

This should be a fun and exciting field trip for people because we will never be more than 300 yards away from air conditioning. The same trip is planned for June 8 and 14, and more throughout the summer.

Willow Creek Jasper Mine field trip is led by retired Geophysicist Steve Schaps, and with the permission of mine owner Larry Ridley and the offset property owner, Avimor.

This adventure requires a Liability Waiver.

By signing up for this Willow Creek Jasper Mine Geological Field trip you agree to the following: The registered individual accepts and does hereby assume any and all risks for himself/herself and those on his/her ticket, for possible dangers and hazards involved in connection with the field trip designated above, offered by the IDAHO MUSEUM OF MINING AND GEOLOGY (IMMG), and does hereby SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS the trip leader(s), IMMG, Larry Ridley and the Willow Creek Jasper Mine, and the adjacent landowner (Avimor). As well as all officers and representatives of IMMG from any and all claims, losses, or damages, including attorney’s fees and costs because of said claims, on account of injury, death, property damage, and inconvenience or loss of money due to delay or other cause that may rise, by reason of my participation in the field trip. I understand that my use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and/or Medic*tion that would impair my judgment, balance, or coordination is not permitted and I will hold the IMMG, field trip leader, Willow Creek Jasper Mine, and Avimor, harmless from any claims arising from my use. I understand I am responsible for carrying my own automobile, life, and health insurance.

I understand that my attendance and participation in the pre-trip safety meeting is mandatory and I will not be allowed on the trip if I fail to attend the safety meeting at the meetup location (Little Gulch Parking Area).

Please contact b3BlcmF0aW9ucyB8IGlkYWhvbXVzZXVtICEgb3Jn if you have questions.

More about the museum at www.idahomuseum.org

Also check out other Meetups in Boise, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Boise.