Quarry.

[Bird320]

Some of you seem to insist on quarries quite good locations. Now, I was wondering if this quarry looked good to you.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1394346 ... a=!3m1!1e3

That one seems to be the least "populated" one and it is right next to a bike trail (trees block view though.) Maybe a nighttime visitation is required??

[joedeep130535]

It looks a great potential site. A bit close to houses but a night visit might do it. Be aware of security though

[Nessie]

It looks gorgeous. It looks like I could happily move in and live there.

However, it may be quite a project just to get in, and if you do, it is criminal trespass.

I am not going to tell you what to do, just saying, be very, very careful.

Now that you've posted the location...all the brave guys on this board know where it is! Maybe you'll find a buddy?

Nessie

[mudxdresser]

I see some ominous signs that it may be rather higher in sand content than clay, keep your expectations dialed way down. I've checked out quite a few places, hundreds, that looked this good or better on satellite view, only to find nothing. At best your odds are 10% of good mud, but hey, you have to play the game if you're ever gonna find a mudpit. Overall, I'd rate the odds of finding good mud actually present at any place that looks reasonably good on satellite view as only 2%-5% in the long run.

The problem is usually lack of clay in the surrounding strata, otherwise, the best you get is silt sorta like the dirt in your back yard only finer grained. Or worse, sand. I see a lot of sand in the outwash area at that site. Been to Milwaukee before, lots of glacial deposit type soil but didn't see much with a high clay content. Good hunting though, the only way to know is to go. If it doesn't work out, keep in mind there are known clay areas near Ottawa, Illinois and quarries in southern Indiana and Ohio where I have seen video taken there that shows nice clay mudpits.

[Jon Smith]

That's in Wisconsin, a bit too far away for me. Also, I find most quarries as too risky, although they are great. I am very brave about quicksand, wildlife, and environment, but not so much humans (unless I met someone from this forum, as they would understand what I was doing). If there was a decent quarry around Oregon, I would go. (As well as Washington and Northern California). The further away the pit is, the less likely I will get to go to it, that is also relative to other details about the pit.

[Kookus]

These are usually fun, one way or the other, but like mudxdresser said, you really cant' know until you make a visit.

On first blush, I'd say your best bet is the old settling pond on the eastern side of the south-western pit, and approach from one of the businesses along Main St. by hopping the railroad tracks and walking in; extra cars parked in parking lots draw less attention than those parked on back roads. Find the main entrance and case it for a while; figure out when their off days are -- some quarries don't work weekends; some take specific week days off; most take federal holidays off.

And has been mentioned, it is a crime if they decide to call the cops, so work up a good BS story for why you're there. I carry a camera and claim that I'm a freelance photographer working on background industrial or nature shots, depending on where I am. Got me off the hook twice. If you go that route, make sure to take pictures along the way so you can show them what you're "working on."

[Bird320]

I see some ominous signs that it may be rather higher in sand content than clay, keep your expectations dialed way down. I've checked out quite a few places, hundreds, that looked this good or better on satellite view, only to find nothing. At best your odds are 10% of good mud, but hey, you have to play the game if you're ever gonna find a mudpit. Overall, I'd rate the odds of finding good mud actually present at any place that looks reasonably good on satellite view as only 2%-5% in the long run.

The problem is usually lack of clay in the surrounding strata, otherwise, the best you get is silt sorta like the dirt in your back yard only finer grained. Or worse, sand. I see a lot of sand in the outwash area at that site. Been to Milwaukee before, lots of glacial deposit type soil but didn't see much with a high clay content. Good hunting though, the only way to know is to go. If it doesn't work out, keep in mind there are known clay areas near Ottawa, Illinois and quarries in southern Indiana and Ohio where I have seen video taken there that shows nice clay mudpits.

These are usually fun, one way or the other, but like mudxdresser said, you really cant' know until you make a visit.

On first blush, I'd say your best bet is the old settling pond on the eastern side of the south-western pit, and approach from one of the businesses along Main St. by hopping the railroad tracks and walking in; extra cars parked in parking lots draw less attention than those parked on back roads. Find the main entrance and case it for a while; figure out when their off days are -- some quarries don't work weekends; some take specific week days off; most take federal holidays off.

And has been mentioned, it is a crime if they decide to call the cops, so work up a good BS story for why you're there. I carry a camera and claim that I'm a freelance photographer working on background industrial or nature shots, depending on where I am. Got me off the hook twice. If you go that route, make sure to take pictures along the way so you can show them what you're "working on."

What do you think about the site for getting stuck? I am one of the minorities on here and although sinking is cool, I like to get stuck. Dangerous I know, but it is what it is. I know sand, unless it's quicksand, is not good for that haha but I dunno.

Also, would it be advisable to go during the day or night? I mean like an off day too, unless at night. The old pond that was mentioned seems to be far enough away from the activity but still.

And, I plan on actually using that bike trail that's there. I can park at one of the parking areas for it (if it's a day/evening one) or maybe just park someplace close to the trail and take that.

[Ace]

And has been mentioned, it is a crime if they decide to call the cops, so work up a good BS story for why you're there. I carry a camera and claim that I'm a freelance photographer working on background industrial or nature shots, depending on where I am. Got me off the hook twice. If you go that route, make sure to take pictures along the way so you can show them what you're "working on."

DUDE! I have done the EXACT same thing. I thought I was so fucking clever. Guy who caught me was super pissed, got all up in my shit, asked me what I was doing there. Explained, showed him the pictures of just various landscapes that I thought were cool, explained very rationally and apologetically that I had no intention of harming or stealing or damaging anything. He believed me and opened the gate that I had hopped earlier to let me out, didn't call the cops or anything.

[Jon Smith]

And has been mentioned, it is a crime if they decide to call the cops, so work up a good BS story for why you're there. I carry a camera and claim that I'm a freelance photographer working on background industrial or nature shots, depending on where I am. Got me off the hook twice. If you go that route, make sure to take pictures along the way so you can show them what you're "working on."

DUDE! I have done the EXACT same thing. I thought I was so fucking clever. Guy who caught me was super pissed, got all up in my shit, asked me what I was doing there. Explained, showed him the pictures of just various landscapes that I thought were cool, explained very rationally and apologetically that I had no intention of harming or stealing or damaging anything. He believed me and opened the gate that I had hopped earlier to let me out, didn't call the cops or anything.

That was a close call for sure.
Honestly, I like quarry mud, but it isn't worth risking breaking the law over. I won't let one of my hobbies make me a criminal. This is why I don't go to quarries.

[Boggy Man]

That elongated pit on the right looks to be a prime quicksand spot, worth exploring up and down, especially closer to the water! You can see how the sand is deposited there, as a water/sand mixture via a pipe, into the lower portion of that pit! I used to play in a sand quarry when I was young, back in the 70's (no fences, open access, people just asked not to damage the dikes that hold the sand/water that was being piled up there via a pump), and the features of that spot look like my old "quicksand area" in Manitoba, albeit much larger. The sand tends to be sinkable closer to the water, while higher up, the water drains away, making it more solid. But, be careful, because quicksand settles, and you could get stuck in solidified sand if you stay in it long enough for it to lose its looseness! Then you would have a lot of digging to do, and the onset of calf cramps while stuck can make you want to squirm out of your skin, and perhaps feel like you are in the process of dying! Then, there is the danger of vehicles/people approaching while you are trying to dig yourself out! So, be careful!

While that first spot should be a sure-thing for quicksand, you can also check out this spot, which may or may not have something worthwhile:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1420807 ... a=!3m1!1e3

Remember, that you will be trespassing on private property, and if caught, you could face criminal charges!

Good luck, and stay safe!