Kevins own thread - a journal (but feel free to post random thoughts)

[DesertNuggets]

What do you use to separate your gold from the cons? You do a great job. Blue bowl?

 

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[KevinInColorado]

Just a 10" black finish pan and 30 & 50 mesh classifiers...no fancy tools needed. I do put the gold in a small green soap dish with a little water/Jetdry after panning. In the dish I do some final cleaning with the backwash and tap method and the swirl method to get the last of the black sands out of the gold. The super smooth surface of the soap dish($2 at Walmart btw) helps with that final cleaning so it only takes a minute.

 

[425jesse]

LOL Deutschland Uber Alles!

Looks like a great day digging!

Cheers.

 

[Duckwalk]

Can you post a picture of said soap dish? the only ones i found are tiny like the size of a bar of soap..

 

[KiddoTheMiner]

Got out again today. Built a new dam to have the sluice closer to the honey hole. prospector ran great. Gold was got.
...still doing finish panning so gold pics to follow

View attachment 1023135



View attachment 1023136

...that honey hole is fairly deep. It's down to the clay.

View attachment 1023137

...from the opposite angle.

*sarcasm* your hole isn't big enough*sarcasm*

 

[Prospector70]

Nice looking dig spot you got there sir!

 

[KevinInColorado]

*sarcasm* your hole isn't big enough*sarcasm*

LoL...right?! I actually worry I might get in trouble for this big hole!

Nice looking dig spot you got there sir!

:-)



...the gold on the far left is from my last trip.

0.12 grams this time . The rest of the gold is from recent outings 3/4 gram in total since mid last month.

 

[Jjhall68]

That is great looking set up Kevin
Thanks for sharing

 

[gunflintguy]

I will be in Denver metro area looking areas to run my BGT sniper later this week.

My son’s business trip went from 3 days in Colorado Springs to 5 days to include Golden. So it turns out that I have some time to run my BGT while he’s busy. I will be in the Spring’s later this week and Golden late Sunday till late Tuesday next week.

I have followed Kevin’s thread and other peoples responses and it seems to me that the below mentioned 4 places could be areas I should check depending on the actual time I have.

South Plate River-Grant Frontier Park 2300 S Platte River Dr., Denver I am assuming the access and parking is at the park itself. Correct?

South Plate River -Steel St. Park at Steel/ 78th Ave looks like Welby per google maps or on the edge of Thorton can’t tell which for sure. Where to access and park?

Clear Creek- Arapahoe Bar Prospecting Park, which is the better access -41st and Youngfield trailhead parking lot or on the South frontage road of Highway 58, East of McIntyre Street?

Clear creek -near Tymkovich Meats at 6811 Washington St, Denver, where to access and park?

Any one better than another? Any areas not mentioned? Any areas near the city of Golden?

I lived in the Spring’s years ago and it has grown immensely since I was there and used to travel up into the mountains, I don’t think much is open around there anymore.

At any of these locations what is the best plan of action? Type of footwear needed? I plan on taking the sniper, shovel, and buckets to the site. Either I will classify and pan off my concentrates or just bring them back to Minnesota to deal with them later, not sure which yet.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Prospector70]

My son’s business trip went from 3 days in Colorado Springs to 5 days to include Golden. So it turns out that I have some time to run my BGT while he’s busy. I will be in the Spring’s later this week and Golden late Sunday till late Tuesday next week.

I have followed Kevin’s thread and other peoples responses and it seems to me that the below mentioned 4 places could be areas I should check depending on the actual time I have.

South Plate River-Grant Frontier Park 2300 S Platte River Dr., Denver I am assuming the access and parking is at the park itself. Correct?

South Plate River -Steel St. Park at Steel/ 78th Ave looks like Welby per google maps or on the edge of Thorton can’t tell which for sure. Where to access and park?

Clear Creek- Arapahoe Bar Prospecting Park, which is the better access -41st and Youngfield trailhead parking lot or on the South frontage road of Highway 58, East of McIntyre Street?

Clear creek -near Tymkovich Meats at 6811 Washington St, Denver, where to access and park?

Any one better than another? Any areas not mentioned? Any areas near the city of Golden?

I lived in the Spring’s years ago and it has grown immensely since I was there and used to travel up into the mountains, I don’t think much is open around there anymore.

At any of these locations what is the best plan of action? Type of footwear needed? I plan on taking the sniper, shovel, and buckets to the site. Either I will classify and pan off my concentrates or just bring them back to Minnesota to deal with them later, not sure which yet.

Any help would be appreciated.

The Platte is still high, I would recommend the big bend 78th n steele.

South frontage road on the Youngsfield query.

Let us know when you are working! Someone will come by and say Hi surely.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Right now the best accessible gold is probably Steele St Open Space park just N of 78th. Second would be the Arapahoe Prospecting Park which is really close to golden so that might be good for you. Best access to that is to approach the creek from the south (just west of I-70)...the approach from the north is blocked by Coors and the state/county roads people.

Either way, I recommend river sandals or old tennis/running shoes rather than boots as the water is pretty warm. And shorts not pants

 

[gunflintguy]

Thanks for the quick reply's from both of you. Sounds like the Steele Street Open Space Park and Arapahoe Prospecting Park will be checked out. I will know better what time I have available sometime after Thursday, and leave a reply. Thanks Kevin for the heads up on the running/river shoes and shorts.

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Thanks for the quick reply's from both of you. Sounds like the Steele Street Open Space Park and Arapahoe Prospecting Park will be checked out. I will know better what time I have available sometime after Thursday, and leave a reply. Thanks Kevin for the heads up on the running/river shoes and shorts.

..Kevin is The Man.

Quite wise

 

[KevinInColorado]

..Kevin is The Man. Quite wise

(Blushing) awe, thanks!

Gunflintguy, like P70 said, let us know when you'll be digging and maybe you'll have some company

PS at the Arapahoe Prospecting Park, the best gold is usually IN the creek bed from center toward the north bank and about 1 foot down or so. You know you are in the good layer when the rocks coming up are black to dark gray color ( turn light gray when dry)...that's where the bigger flakes are usually

 

[Prospector70]

Take sunscreen! Mah Leeeegggsss! lol!
Yes yes, sensible river shoes, old sneakers work great.
May want to bring an umbrella too for the youngun's. Its been dang hot these last couple of days!
I'm booked solid through this up and coming weekend, hope you find lots of gold.
Best,

 

[gunflintguy]

Thanks for the info from both of you. No need for an umbrella. Only 2 adults on this trip. But will need the sunscreen for my legs. Our state bird the "mosquito" will still be out in force till mid August, so its almost always long pants season here. We leave tomorrow morning.

Kevin do you know if GOLD-N-DETECTORS in Golden carry's the gold cube? I would like to see one while on this trip if possible. I have seen the you tube video's but would like to see it myself.

I have a gold bug pro md and I know it can find 1 grain flakes of gold. Would it be worth my while to try that also at either spots or is the gold in these areas to small?

Thanks again

John

 

[KevinInColorado]

Thanks for the info from both of you. No need for an umbrella. Only 2 adults on this trip. But will need the sunscreen for my legs. Our state bird the "mosquito" will still be out in force till mid August, so its almost always long pants season here. We leave tomorrow morning. Kevin do you know if GOLD-N-DETECTORS in Golden carry's the gold cube? I would like to see one while on this trip if possible. I have seen the you tube video's but would like to see it myself. I have a gold bug pro md and I know it can find 1 grain flakes of gold. Would it be worth my while to try that also at either spots or is the gold in these areas to small? Thanks again John

Hi John, I don't think GoldnDetectors has the gold cube but contact the manufacturer to ask who has them in metroDenver. One of the inventors, Red Wilcox, lives right here in town so...maybe they can arrange a show n tell session

I say bring the gold bug md. It is fairly rare to see larger gold but a detector might lead you to it. Can you submerge your coil? We have a lot of iron sand too so finding an iron sand concentration would most like work with the detector and lead you to a pay streak...worth trying anyway!

 

[KevinInColorado]

If you decide to go over to the Arkansas River here is the info on the public places:
http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo...rals/placer_mining/Arkansas_River_Claims.html

 

[Prospector70]

Hi John, I don't think GoldnDetectors has the gold cube but contact the manufacturer to ask who has them in metroDenver. One of the inventors, Red Wilcox, lives right here in town so...maybe they can arrange a show n tell session

I say bring the gold bug md. It is fairly rare to see larger gold but a detector might lead you to it. Can you submerge your coil? We have a lot of iron sand too so finding an iron sand concentration would most like work with the detector and lead you to a pay streak...worth trying anyway!

I've often wondered why one wouldnt shrink wrap their coil so it can be dipped. I have a cheap MD, I may try to put it in a big trash bag hehehe! It may not tell me where the small gold is, but surely can tell me where the lead bullets and sinkers are in the creek/river.

 

[gunflintguy]

Kevin and P 70,

From what I understand a lot of the modern metal detectors are water proof up to the control box itself. My GP pro is and I have had it in the water up to a few feet down. My rivers aren't very deep.

I have a lot of iron ( hematite and magnetite) in my neck of the woods and most of the time I can ground balance it out. I am still learning how to follow the iron (Black sands) with the MD because where those concentrate, as we all know, I may find the gold. But again I am still learning as I go along.

P70 I spent a lot of time this spring finding bird shot (7's) along with all of the other stuff people leave. Coins, aluminum pull tabs, bottle caps etc.

Kevin thanks for the info on the Arkansas river and Red Wilcox, I will try to contact them.

Thanks again for all the help

John