Finding Gold

[kitt]

Hey guys. I hope soon once I can afford good used tires for my truck I'd be able to take qa chance at prospecting to pay off some debt and get my life back on track.
I'm not looking to hit it big but 1 ounce a month would sure be helpfull.
check you these maps and tell me what you think about that spot.

Edited:

 

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[kitt]

spot 2 is really hard to get to. its about 45 miles up river, the end of all roads and about a mile walk to get there

 

[63bkpkr]

Kitt,
Is this a known gold producing river? What time of year do you plan to prospect? What type of weather conditions are typical for the area?
How much water flow does the river have during "safe prospecting water levels"? (note: go to USGS Real Time Water Flow for your river)
What safety factors must you consider for the area (ex. bears, cats, snakes, other miners, claims, the state gov. rules)? Water is
dangerous treat it with respect: higher water more danger, big river more danger, narrow river with good flow more danger, cold
temperature of water is dangerous, getting the organic material into ones ears while digging underwater causes BAD ear infections (use wax
ear plugs from pharmacy).

Know the weather, the terrain, the water, the rules, any claims in the area, how to take care of yourself "Out There", how to camp, how to
stay dry, how to get dry, having safe camp fires (in rainy weather put a large section of sheet metal over the fire to keep the rain off of it and to cook on it needs to be flat not corrugated).

Begin with simple tools: small shovel, pry bars, simple classifier(think kitchen wire basket or hardware cloth in a frame), gold pan (if you can
afford one a Batpan works great batpan.com), learn how to read a river (enter into internet search bar reading a river for prospecting and other
phrases like it).

When you actually find gold you will want to share the stories of your good luck with others! WARNING do not talk about your finds
especially locally!

Gold usually travels from an inside bend to an inside bend in any river/stream/creek/crik (if cows are around), as Lanny says "Gold is
lazy" and will drop out of suspension as quickly as it can. Look on the down river side of boulders (big boulders, little boulders) anything
that obstructs the flow of water will have a low pressure zone on the down river side of it and that is where the gold will drop (most
typical place at least), a group of boulders is also a good pressure drop zone. When/If your river has a low flow, for me here in Northern
California that would be towards the end of summer, more of the river bed will be exposed opening up new areas of search. Check cracks along the river banks for possible entrapment of nuggets.
I suggest always backfill your dig site. 1) It keeps the place looking natural. 2) It hides the fact someone is working there 3) It's a lot of extra work but if you
want to keep the area open to prospecting you should back fill your holes. Also, do not leave any trash around your work site or camp
as you will be judged by others on how clean you are keeping this lovely area you are working in. Besides it is a lovely area so please keep it clean.

Other folks will have other thoughts but in general be safe out there so being in good physical shape and health before you leave home is
is mandatory to having a good time. Be careful as rocks tend to fall and can crush your feet/hands/you, think before you do something!

Your river looks wonderful, have a great time..........63bkpkr

 

[kitt]

Bears, cats, scorpians are all a factor. The water temp is cold cold cold. During the summer even to swim in, its so cold it hurts your head. Yes it is a gold producing river I have a top bucket sifter that i can classify 5 gallons in 10-15 min depending on my pace. One guy here was pulling out 1 ounce nuggets at one point. Others pickers and nice size placers.
Even at 5 miles up the river if you sluce or about an hour and pan it you will find about $5 in your pan.
I havent been up yet but I have tried the creek behind my dads place and have gotten super small specs and a gem stone.
The rules allow me to sluice without power. If I want to use power I would have to get a permit.

The bears I'm not to worried about, cats on the other hand is like that old saying, curiousity killed the cat. They will come right up behind you, but if you run its more like your lunch. Makes me wish i still had my tazer or my wolf dog. For some reason animals dont like the sound they produce.

 

[Goodyguy]

First thing is that you showed everyone exactly where the property is. Second do you know if it's already claimed?

 

[Fullpan]

As GG said, you showed a little too much in your pics - but since you don't know if the creek at spot 2. is gold bearing,no real harm done. I would pack in from Spud Rd. for an
overnite exploratory. If you don't find claim markers up the creek, test the small gravel bars up there with a sluice and pan. If you find some nice gold, you
can double check for valid claims at the county recorders office. You will have to do better than 5 dollars/hr. to start getting your bills paid - 8-10 dollars an
hr will help if you can camp out and not have to commute. Good Luck!

 

[wa-au-nut]

I think that area you going to find is ALL CLAIMED. Not much of that area isn't IF not WITHDRAWN. I spend at least a week in that area every summer and have a hard time finding dirt to work that's not claimed

 

[kitt]

Jackpot!!!!

So im still looking around for a public place to do some panning and some sluicing.
I decide to check a different river. These rivers are a couple miles apart so I figured, same mountain same dirt. Look at this gorgeous spot with all these rocks protruding from the ground!!
Theres head size cobble stone, body sized boulders, car sized boulders, house size boulders!! and a deep hole right before a sharp corner. The worst of flood season has ended. 6 more months I should be right on that spot.
Hell i might even go tomorrow if the sun is out.

 

[kitt]

I think that area you going to find is ALL CLAIMED. Not much of that area isn't IF not WITHDRAWN. I spend at least a week in that area every summer and have a hard time finding dirt to work that's not claimed

Have you tried the Umpqua river? Thers bedrock coming out almost every where in that river.
I dont know much about it, if its claimed or partial claim or what not. I think its state owned so if you can swim there you might be able to set your sluice in the river or scrape some cracks.
Heres a short vid, there is gold there. these guys are in a bad spot.