Corner crossing experiences in 2025

[mad_angler]

Now that it is legal, who crossed corners in 2025?

 

[mad_angler]

My 2025 experience is that I checked out 2 corners.

At one corner, I found the USGS benchmark. There is a fence but the fence is clearly on public land. I will probably climb over that fence and cross that corner next year

At another corner, I could not find the benchmark. The cover was extremely thick and I didn't see any way to get over the fences. I will probably not return to that corner.

 

[LongWayAround]

Just to clarify this. You are looking for section corners, not benchmarks.

A benchmark is a point of known elevation, possibly with latitude/longitude coordinates. These are often set in fairly obvious high points and potentially drilled into a rock outcropping.

A section corner is a survey monument marking the intersection of divided parcels. Assuming the cap is present, it is typically marked with the section number, township, and range. If the cap is not present, it could be a large (1.5-2") iron pipe or rebar. Section corners will often be #6 (0.75") rebar, possibly bigger or smaller. Lot corners are often #4 (0.5") or #5 rebar.

 

[LongWayAround]

This is a benchmark, not a section corner.

 

[Deerhunter6250]

This is a benchmark, not a section corner.

View attachment 998359

Can a benchmark also be a section corner?

 

[cnelk]

Can a benchmark also be a section corner?

Yep. Absolutely

 

[LongWayAround]

Can a benchmark also be a section corner?

An established section corner could almost certainly also be used as a benchmark. I can't recall having personally encountered that in this context, but I don't see any reason not.

I think it would be unlikely that the monument would be a benchmark first though.

 

[Customweld]

I got one too! I know it’s a corner crossing thread but I love finding brass!

 

[AHayes111]

Can a benchmark also be a section corner?

I suppose it could, but I know of one bench mark that is maybe 20 from a section corner.

 

[Wrench]

 

[LongWayAround]

I suppose it could, but I know of one bench mark that is maybe 20 from a section corner.

That's where my mind went, but I couldn't recall a specific spot where I had seen it.

 

[mad_angler]

This is what I found.

What is it?

 

[LongWayAround]

This is what I found.

What is it?
View attachment 998800

That is a section corner.

 

[Janus]

I did cross a corner with a very tall folding ladder. Didn’t catch any flack but was concerned because 6 miles away there were other legal ways to access this public land. What do you guys think? If there’s another way I. Do I have to hike the 6 extra miles?

 

[Indian Summer]

I did cross a corner with a very tall folding ladder. Didn’t catch any flack but was concerned because 6 miles away there were other legal ways to access this public land. What do you guys think? If there’s another way I. Do I have to hike the 6 extra miles?

The reason you didn’t catch any flack was because the property has a straightforward access anyway. So no one cares how you get there. It’s the parcels that are completely landlocked where someone might question whether or not you crossed properly.

 

[cnelk]

It’s the parcels that are completely landlocked where someone might question whether or not you crossed properly.

Ummmmm.... If the parcel is completely landlocked there wouldnt be any corners to cross now would there?

 

[mad_angler]

Ummmmm.... If the parcel is completely landlocked there wouldnt be any corners to cross now would there?

It depends on your definition of landlocked.

Before the rulings in 2025, you could argue that all the corner-connected parcels were landlocked.

With today's understanding, they are only landlocked if all 8 parcels around it are private.

 

[S.Clancy]

I did cross a corner with a very tall folding ladder. Didn’t catch any flack but was concerned because 6 miles away there were other legal ways to access this public land. What do you guys think? If there’s another way I. Do I have to hike the 6 extra miles?

Based on the ruling, it only applied to areas that had no other legal access except crossing at the corner. So, you could get in a bind doing what you did.

 

[scottbot]

Based on the ruling, it only applied to areas that had no other legal access except crossing at the corner. So, you could get in a bind doing what you did.

No, just no

 

[S.Clancy]

No, just no

They wouldn't be "protected" by the recent ruling by the 10th Circuit because that ruling used the Unlawful Inclosures Act as a basis for that ruling. So, crossing at a corner where there was other public access to the parcels may not be treated in the same manner.