How to spot quicksand (on maps or in person)

[CreamyClayK]

I've been into mud/quicksand for a while now but I have absolutely no experience with actually going out and sinking. I realized pretty quickly that I have no clue how to find potential quicksand spots on maps or in real life. Any tips on how to identify good quicksand pits on google maps, or how to tell the different types of mud/quicksand apart?

[Mr Mudster]

Honestly, the only way to know for certain is to get into the mud! I've went into areas that looked to be extremely deep areas, to find I couldn't sink past my knees. And I've also walked into silty places expecting it to slowly let me sink, just to plunge to chest depth immediately!

As for using Google Earth or similar tools... it will give you a general idea where mud could be. But most areas change, sometimes daily! When I started doing this, I had topographic maps that I used to try and pinpoint places to sink. It worked to a limited extent. And while Google Earth has made is simpler to find usable roads and trails to get to the spot, actually finding good mud is like getting a winning scratch game ticket! Most of the time it will be a dud. But every once in a while you'll find a great spot.

Just remember half the fun is the exp0loring. And always be safe when heading out. Mud is great, but getting stuck (or worse, getting a snake bite or being mauled by a bear!) is not going to make for a good day.

[dlodoski]

....Just remember half the fun is the exploring. And always be safe when heading out. Mud is great, but getting stuck (or worse, getting a snake bite or being mauled by a bear!) is not going to make for a good day.

Very true.

It wouldn't be nearly as fun if good conditions were guaranteed.

[mud_dreamer]

A lot depends on the geology of where you are looking. Some areas do not have enough silt sized particles or there is not enough water flowing to congregate it into a basin of some sort. Silt will also mix with sand sized particles and if there is too much sand then it won't be nice for sinking.

On rivers that flow through areas with silt, look on the inside bend just downstream the apex of the bend. If there is a deeply cutback bank there, you may get lucky. My 2 best spots were created this way.

Good luck. Try not to get discouraged. Take up kayaking.

[mud_dreamer]

Another way that I have found places to scout is to look for public bicycle/walking trails that run by rivers etc.
This has the added benefit of helping you to avoid trespassing on private property.

Many of these trails are abandoned train railway beds. One of the materials that those trains may have hauled was clay for brick/tile/pottery making. They may also have hauled coal which sometimes is found over or under clay.

This is were doing a little research on the local geology helps. Is/was clay or coal mined there? Do a google search for "clay mining", "clay pit", "bentonite", "kaolin", "pottery", along with the area you are interested in. You may eventually get very creative in your searches. You may have to read a lot of material and cross-reference information. Consider that an investment toward finding future locations more efficiently.

Like most things, you will get better at it the more you do it.

[Bird320]

If you're in the US, many counties will have a publicly available GIS "Geographical Information System" that you can use. Just google "County name" GIS and see what you get.

You can use this to see who owns property, among other things. So you can check if areas are owned by the state, county, city/village/town, DNR, or privately owned. Not a way to find quicksand, but a way to see if you can (technically) be there or not.

These systems will sometimes have dirt and floodplain information as well.

Best of luck.

[ontmud]

I use google earth.When i see a area id like to explore.i check for images of the spot.
Whenever i explore a new location i try to combine it with a other activity like hiking because the odds are nothing will be found

[bogbud]

Also check web sites Geocachers use. There are some maps that can be filtered for caches that "require wading" or the description says something like "very muddy" or suggest wearing wellies. I have found some good areas to explore and to look further that way. And also you have a perfect excuse in case someone is asking what you are doing.

[enerj29]

Lots of good advice! I’m always looking and have used a combination of google maps/earth, scouting and hiking, and just being outside. I’ve tried to find things in or near parkland, just so I don’t need to even deal with property or trespassing issues. For where I live in Pa, most of the mud is going to be where water changes levels. If it’s a pond or stream that’s water level changed with rainfall, you will likely be able to find some mud when levels are lower. But if the water level is a relative constant, like a small dammed up lake, not much is going to happen.