SILVER Owyhee Gold
Hidden in the remote Owyhee Mountains, Silver City was the site of a brutal gold and silver rush in the 1860s. Unlike the Basin, this was a land of hard-rock reefs and incredibly rich silver-gold alloys ("electrum").
The Reefs
War Eagle Mountain contains some of the richest silver-gold quartz veins ever discovered.
Electrum
The gold here is often alloyed with silver, appearing lighter in color but extremely specimen-grade.
Isolation
Remote and accessible only by seasonal dirt roads. High desert conditions require extreme prep.
Tactical Intel
Tailings Hunting
The old hard-rock mines on War Eagle and Florida Mountains left behind massivetailings piles. Modern detectors can find high-grade specimens that were missed by the crude separation methods of the 1800s. Focus on the contact zones between the quartz and the surrounding granite.
Jordan Creek
Jordan Creek drains the main silver-gold reefs. During the spring runoff, new gold is moved down the steep gullies. Tactical sniping in the creek beds below the main mine adits is highly recommended.
Deep Data Access
Silver City is a privately owned "ghost town" under historic protection. Mining is restricted within the townsite. The Owyhee Mountains are largely BLM managed, but mineral rights are very active.Always use the BLM MLRS to verify open ground.
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The Digger's Code
- Backfill all holes before you leave.
- Pack out all your trash.
- Respect fence lines and gates.
Legal Disclaimer
Land access rights, safety conditions, and public fossicking zones change. You are solely responsible for verifying regulations with local authorities (DOC/Council/BLM) and assessing river safety before visiting. Paystreak.io accepts no liability for injury, fines, or trespassing. Never dig on private land without explicit permission.
✓ Information last verified: January 2026
Owyhee Specimen Pack
The best metal detectors for finding silver-gold electrum specimens in rocky terrain.