1. Where are the RRPC’s claims located?
2. How do I find the RRPC’s claims to go prospecting?
3. Can I check out the RRPC before joining?
4. How much does membership cost?
5. Are my spouse and/or children included in my membership?
6. Can I sell or transfer my membership?
7. Can I use any of the claims at any time?
8. Can I take guests with me to the RRPC claims?
9. How do I get access to the Member Only section of this website?
1. Where are the RRPC’s Claims Located?
All of the claims (approximately 200) are located in areas known for being rich in placer gold. Many desert claims, good for dry-washing, crevassing and metal detecting are located in each of the following areas; Morristown (Little San Domingo), Vulture Mine, Wickenburg, Rich Hill, Quartzsite and Hayden areas. There are also many high altitude claims located on some of the best gold producing creeks in Arizona, including; Turkey, Wolf, Copper Basin, Hassayampa, and Black Canyon; which are good for dredging and high-banking when water is available.
2. How do I find the RRPC’s claims to go prospecting?
When you sign up and become a member, you will be provided a “Map Packet”. Your map packet will have all the Plans of Operation (USFS and BLM), Dredge Permits, Club Rules, Member Badge(s), and Maps of our claims
Our maps are Topo maps (black & white) with roads, trails, and other landmarks to help you find your way to the claim. (Finding the GOLD is up to you.) Along with the maps, are other pages called “Claim Names and Topo Map Reference Numbers”. Due to the fact that many of our claims are in the same area, some maps list more than one claim. This reference page will assist you in understanding the map. The reference page also has information like, General Driving Directions, Roads Information, Type of Vehicle Recommendation such as 2-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive only, etc.; Best Methods of Finding Gold on the Claim (detecting, dry-washing, dredging); Camping Information, and Altitude.
3. Can I check out the RRPC before joining?
We would love to have you drop by and visit with us at one of our outings or meetings. You can get an idea of what the club is all about from mixing with the members as they prospect or at the monthly meeting.
If you would like to attend one of our monthly outings, simply contact the club office. (Contact Us) The outings are held on the third Saturday of the month, on one of our claims, and vary according to the weather and time of year. We like to go to our higher elevation claims during the summer, and then to our lower Sonoran desert claims in the winter. Just ask when and where the next outing will be held. You are more than welcome to join us.
If you would like to attend one of our general meetings, and listen to our guest speaker and see the club transact its monthly business; we would love to have you stop by. Our meetings are held the third Thursday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. The location is at the American Italian Club in Phoenix. (7509 N. 12th St.) Please don’t be shy and feel free to visit with our members. They are a wealth of information.
4. How much does membership cost?
The RRPC makes the payment of dues as easy as possible for its members.
When you join the RRPC, you have two payment options:
- The payment of your entire membership can be made in one lump sum of $1500. This gives you “lifetime” status, and no further dues’ payments are made for the rest of your life. (However, an Annual Claim Maintenance fee of $20 is still required.)
- A second option allows members to pay by the year. Most of our club members utilize this option. You would pay in advance at the end of the calendar year, for the upcoming year. You are then issued a yearly membership badge decal to identify you on the claims and at the club’s functions. This figure is $240. Also, in addition to the $240 annual dues, an Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) of $20 is also required.
Note: The initial, minimum cost to join the club is $285.00 ($25 initiation fee, $240 yearly dues, and $20 Annual Claim Maintenance fee). The total cost for following years will be $260 ($240 dues plus $20 Annual Claim Maintenance fee).
Now here is the really good part! You pay NO INTEREST on your membership payments. When you have paid a total of $1500 of dues’ payments, you become a “lifetime” member and make no further dues’ payments other than the Annual Maintenance Fee; which will remain due on a yearly basis. You can pay more towards your “lifetime” membership status, when you have extra money, or just the yearly figure. You only have to remain “current” in your payments toward your final payoff date to enjoy all the benefits of belonging to RRPC.
When you first sign up with RRPC, you will be charged for an entire year. In November following the date you signed up, you will receive an invoice with a pro-rated amount for the upcoming year. This will get you on a Jan-Dec payment schedule for the following years until your “Lifetime” membership is paid off.
5. Are my spouse and/or children included in my membership?
Of course, we want you to participate in this fun activity with your loved ones. Your membership automatically entitles you to bring along your spouse, and any children under 21 years old. We have many special activities arranged for the youngsters, plus those they seem to create on the spur of the moment, by themselves. Rest assured, it will be difficult to tell whether you or your spouse is more excited when you find a pocket of “pay dirt”.
There are sometimes friendly competitions between the sexes at our outings; and some events are oriented towards fun activities focused on the couples in the club. Also, don’t think for a moment that you won’t have anyone to do a little prospecting with.
6. Can I sell or transfer my membership?
All memberships in the Roadrunner Prospectors’ Club are issued for the exclusive use of the member-of-record for all of their natural lives. When that member has paid into the club an amount that brings them to “Lifetime” status, their RRPC’s privileges and benefits will extend to the legal spouse; and if the spouse survives the member, the legal spouse inherits the active membership for all of their natural lives. When the spouse dies, the membership becomes null and void.
No RRPC memberships purchased today are transferable to another party.
7. Can I use any of the claims at any time?
Most claims are open year-round. However, due to State and Federal regulations, some claims have usage restrictions. These limitations are listed in the Map Packet on the Claim Restriction Grid. Due to the drought conditions in Arizona, several of the National Forests may be closed during times of extreme fire danger.
8. Can I take guests with me to the RRPC claims?
Guests are welcome on the RRPC’s claims. Members are allowed to bring guest(s) to any club’s function, or to the RRPC’s claims, so long as the member assumes total responsibility for any applicable fees and the actions of their guest(s). Please refer to the Rules and Regulations for more information about quests.
9. How do I Login to the Members Only section of this website?
You must be an active club member in good standing and have an email address on file with the club. Simply send an email to the club office, rrpc-office@roadrunnergold.com requesting a login ID and password.