California gold dredging question

[rebelrph]

I live in Mississippi and will be going to California in late July to drege for gold. I have been a couple of times in the past in the Auburn, alpha diggings, Downeyville area, etc. but that was 20 years ago. I have a small dredge and I know about the dredge permit in the state. Does anyone have any input on any local clubs in California that own there own sites to dredge?

Also, what type layer is gold trapped in? I know to get to bedrock, but for example in Georgia, you are looking for a white clay layer. What type layer are you looking for in California?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for sites for digging on land, old mine tailings, hillsides, etc. (such as the Alpha diggings)? Is prospecting still allowed at the Alpha?

 

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[josh97523]

golden carabou mineing club,is ok they will charge you about 100.00 for the season. they are on the feather river in northern california. In california, red hard pack is what i look for when dredging.

josh97523

 

[aarthrj3811]

Hey Rebelrph----Contact Pioneer mining in Alburn Ca for information. 530-885-1801......www.pioneermining.com......Art

 

[Colorado Bob]

Rebelrph,
There is no easy way to tell you what layer you will find gold in, or what color the layer will be, it depends on what creek or river your on and where the overburden is coming from. I have found gold from the top of the overburden all the way to bedrock, I have also dredged the first five or six feet of material off and found a paystreak in a the next two or three feet of grey hard pack and I have also had to go all the way to bedrock before finding any gold. Many times I have went all the way to bedrock and found nothing. I usually look for a layer of hardpack, which means that it has not been dredged and has not been disturber for a long, long time. Usually if the material is really loose, you can almost bet that its been worked. What I really like to work is the rapids, I have never ever worked a set of rapids that not pay me well. However if your not experienced in working under water and in very swift water I recommend that you do NOT do it. First off its hard to get a face or wall started in front of you, before you get blown out of the hole and swept down stream. You don't ever tie yourself off with anything or to anything. If you get blown out you will most likely drown if your tied off to something. I don't even tie my air hose to my body, I make a short horseshoe type loop, slip it under my diving belt and if I get blowed out I drop the belt, the regulator pops out of my mouth, I float downstream and swim to the nearest bank. By the way when working rapids we wear 105 lbs. of lead. Any other time, in normal water, 60 lbs... BOB

 

[joe of p-ville]

I am planning on a dredging trip on the American around that time . I live within an hour of the Auburn state rec.area. It's off of Iowa hill road, and goes down to the river. Great camping along the river. This is in the Colfax area, off hwy 80. If you might want to hook up give me an e-mail. I own a 4" dredge and will find out the rules on dredging, if they have changed. Joe