Panning in AZ. What do you think of this wash? What to look for.

[roadrunner]

Take a look at the rock and see if this is worth any more research.
The crevice in the pic is after I dug it out about 8-12 inches,then hit the bedrock again.
Took my sample home and found no gold at all.
Some very little black sands. Use a Garrett 14 inch pan.
This area has copper,silver, and gold mixed. Primarily copper mines.

You can see all the rocks in the wash. Would it be better to hit this with my metal detector, since every rock could hold up gold before it gets to where i was.
The part where the crevice was at, is after the part where it is flat, with all the rocks.

 

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[kazcoro]

Looks likea good area. I would skip messing around with any of the sand. Concentrate on vacuuming any material stuck on, or in any bedrock, especially cracks. If you can find gravels directly on the bedrock, that will likely be your best bet, as that bedrock looks really smooth. Deep crevices might hold a nice pocket, too. Good luck, post more pics. Keith

 

[roadrunner]

Will do some more checking in crevices and cracks.
The one pic in the center is the wash right before the bedrock picks.
I will go move some rocks and gravels and see how far down I have to go before I get to the same bedrock where the crevice is I showed.
Thanks guys.
Kaz,see your in Glendale. Im over here by queen Valley and superior.

 

[roadrunner]

Ok,went back today and did more searching with my MD. And also did some cleaning of crevices by hand and tested.
No luck. So picked up some rocks to see if i could sell any on ebay for people's lizard or snake cages.
The shell cases and pull tab all where found around 2-3 inches deep behind some of the rocks and boulders in the creek.
My MD is the Garrett Ground Hog. Master Hunter-ADS-vlf/tr.

I am showing the creek in both directions. My wife is along so I can put the rocks in her camelback so she gets more exercise for her diabetes to keep it under control.

Taken from my phone.





Here's a few of the rocks. The other pic was just bullet cases. 1 .22. 4 .38 special, and 5 .380.
So I can at least pick up objects with my detector 3 inches down that are kinda small. I also found a brass Levis rivet from the 1900,s, so that is small.

 

[TerryC]

The area, based on pics, appears very... sedimentary. Not considered good gold area. Figure out where the rocks came from, upstream, and try again there. As far as detecting, if you found ZERO flour, you probably will not find nuggets either. I have several books on the gold districts of AZ. If you can (will) tell us exactly where this area is, I can steer you torwards the nearest gold districts. Move to an area already known to give up color. TTC

 

[roadrunner]

Thanks for stopping by Terry C. Talked to Bunk and he offered me a visit up to see him.Terry S said If i had a chance to meet with bunk,and Az Outback,do it.
The are I am in is SW of superior,SE of Picket post.
Just a wash I located off an older road. No one goes out there except to drink beer. And shoot guns.
I have the booklet-Bulletin 168-Gold Placering and Placers in Arizona, by Eldrid Wilson. Care of the Az mines.
But anything you have is probably better than mine.

Talked to Kazco today who joined up with the roadrunners club, and he and I are going to go to the Hayden Placers, or to the LSD placers or claims in the next 2 weeks.
There was a Gold Mine up here,underground, from 1907-1941. 39,400 ounces of gold recovered.
Called the L.S. Superior, or Lake Superior, and also the Arizona Mine.
Anyway, I found the entrance. My boy went down a little to get a sample from the floor.
Nothing found.

On the USGS the primary product was Gold.
So, just looking around the area.
Am going to promack and talk to them about any clubs also.
I think the Superstion one is like $25 a year.
Just some where to start.
Cant afford the Roadrunners right now. Need more gold for that.

Added a couple pics of the rocks in the wash above.
33.1517.56 N
-1110715.20 W

You will see thw wide straight section with the cliff above it.
Was thinking about heading west from here to Picket Post.
Where the large area of trees are in the deep wash there.
Or just give this area up. Head to Promack, and also set up with Kazcoro.

 

[kazcoro]

No nuggets for me today. About a third of a gram. It's gold colored at least, right?

 

[roadrunner]

Any gold is better than being skunked.
I found brass shells. Color of brass.
Great Kaz, was going to ask how your day went.
Did you go to the LSD claims?

 

[TerryC]

Thanks for stopping by Terry C. Talked to Bunk and he offered me a visit up to see him.Terry S said If i had a chance to meet with bunk,and Az Outback,do it.
The are I am in is SW of superior,SE of Picket post.
Just a wash I located off an older road. No one goes out there except to drink beer. And shoot guns.
I have the booklet-Bulletin 168-Gold Placering and Placers in Arizona, by Eldrid Wilson. Care of the Az mines.
But anything you have is probably better than mine.

Talked to Kazco today who joined up with the roadrunners club, and he and I are going to go to the Hayden Placers, or to the LSD placers or claims in the next 2 weeks.
There was a Gold Mine up here,underground, from 1907-1941. 39,400 ounces of gold recovered.
Called the L.S. Superior, or Lake Superior, and also the Arizona Mine.
Anyway, I found the entrance. My boy went down a little to get a sample from the floor.
Nothing found.

On the USGS the primary product was Gold.
So, just looking around the area.
Am going to promack and talk to them about any clubs also.
I think the Superstion one is like $25 a year.
Just some where to start.
Cant afford the Roadrunners right now. Need more gold for that.

Added a couple pics of the rocks in the wash above.
33.1517.56 N
-1110715.20 W

You will see thw wide straight section with the cliff above it.
Was thinking about heading west from here to Picket Post.
Where the large area of trees are in the deep wash there.
Or just give this area up. Head to Promack, and also set up with Kazcoro.

Say Hi to Bunk (Calvin) for me. I only met him once... at a meteorite gig at Gold Basin. Great guy! I hope to meet him again. I have the Eldrid Wilson books too! I'll put together a plan for you and PM the results. I can also mail any of my books that you think you need to read. I'll work on it. Side note.... found some chunky gold today on Rose Creek today. Flows into the Stan. We did good today but wet and back problems made the day fairly short. I hope to run into Bunk again. Nice guy! TTC

 

[roadrunner]

These are the books I have right now.
Plus I have a couple on my wish list at Amazon.
These are what I want: Amazon
Fists Full of Gold,
Az rocks and minerals-A field guide.
Az lode gold mines and gold mining
Placer gold deposits of Az.

This is what I have:

Bulletin 168.
Prospecting for gold with a metal detector---Garrett guide to treasure
Basic coinshooting
Treasure hunting pays off---charles garrett
The art of drywashing-Finding gold in the desert---Otto Lynch---with plans
Gold panning is easy---Roy Lagal
Coinshooting III-----H Glenn Carson

It would be great to see what you have for the area around me,or farther. As for books, I have no idea which are the best for a beginner.
Bought my Garrett groundhog in august 2012,10 dollars at a yard sale in great condition,almost new.
Master Hunter.
Built a progressive sluice from plans.
Am building my drywasher right now.
Have Garrett 14 inch pans.

Know about back problems.I have 2 herniated discs.L3-L5.
Nice that you found some thing though.
Bought a few gold pieces from ebay from alaska to practice with since I dont have any.

 

[TerryC]

These are the books I have right now.
Plus I have a couple on my wish list at Amazon.
These are what I want: Amazon
Fists Full of Gold,
Az rocks and minerals-A field guide.
Az lode gold mines and gold mining
Placer gold deposits of Az.

This is what I have:

Bulletin 168.
Prospecting for gold with a metal detector---Garrett guide to treasure
Basic coinshooting
Treasure hunting pays off---charles garrett
The art of drywashing-Finding gold in the desert---Otto Lynch---with plans
Gold panning is easy---Roy Lagal
Coinshooting III-----H Glenn Carson

It would be great to see what you have for the area around me,or farther. As for books, I have no idea which are the best for a beginner.
Bought my Garrett groundhog in august 2012,10 dollars at a yard sale in great condition,almost new.
Master Hunter.
Built a progressive sluice from plans.
Am building my drywasher right now.
Have Garrett 14 inch pans.

Know about back problems.I have 2 herniated discs.L3-L5.
Nice that you found some thing though.
Bought a few gold pieces from ebay from alaska to practice with since I dont have any.

Roadrunner, I have dozens of titles and bulletins you may read. I am putting together a list for you... and others... to read. I will have it ready by tomorrow. TTC

 

[roadrunner]

Thank you. Maybe admin can make a sticky of your list to help all of us new comers.
This way we they wont have to search for individual titles that they don't know about.

 

[TerryC]

Thank you. Maybe admin can make a sticky of your list to help all of us new comers.
This way we they wont have to search for individual titles that they don't know about.

Here is a PARTIAL list of publications I have and will make available to you or others. I have MANY more but others are not relative to AZ. It is extensive:
Arizona Fluorspar Elenatorski 1971 (AZ Dept of Mineral Resourses
Gold Placers and Placering in Arizona Eldred Wilson Bulletin 168 1961
Follow the Drywashers Vol 3 (The Nuggetshooter's Bible) Jim Straight 1992
Successful Drywashing Jim Straight 1989
Advanced Propsecting and Detecting for Hardrock Gold Jim Straight 1996/2009
Nuggetshooting Dryplacer Areas (with insert) Jim Straight 1988/1997
Minerals, Fossils, and Fluorescents of Arizona Bearce 2003
Arizona Gold Placers and Placering Wilson Bulletin 142 1937
Arizona Lode Gold Mines and Gold Mining Wilson Bulletin 137 1934
Placer Gold Deposits of Arizona M. Johnson Bulletin 1355 (?) 1972
Octave Gold Mine Melchiorre 2008
Gold Hunter's Fieldbook Ransom 1975
Arizona Gold Treks Wielgus 2000
Mining statistics of the Rocky Mountains - Arizona (author and date unknown)
The Conclusion of the Original Peralta Stone Maps Clayton 2009
Mineral Resourses of the United States Part One Metals 1923
Fists Full of Gold Ralph 2009
Gold History and Genesis of Deposits Boyle (textbook) 1987
Gold Panning is Easy Lagal 1992
Where to Find Gold in the Desert Klein 1994
Gold Prospector's Handbook Black 1987/2008
Arizona Rocks and Minerals Lynch 2010
Gold Prospecting Instruction Manual Gold Prospecting Expeditions Inc 1997
Advanced Nuggetshooting McCulloch 2000
Stake Your Claim Silva 2007
Hiking Arizona's Geology Lucchitta 2001
Geology Underfoot in Arizona Abbott/Cook 2007
Roadside Geology of Arizona Chronic 1983
Where to find Gold Placers of Arizona Toole (unk date)
Rocks and Minerals Pellant (Smithsonian Handbooks) 1992
NONE are for sale but I will stuff as many into a "if it fits, it ships" box if you pay the postage ... and don't DOTE on those sent (like that phrase... don't dote). No disrespect meant but the sooner they come back, the sooner they can go "back out". I also have an extensive CA list.... and others at the RV. Let me know. TTC

 

[roadrunner]

Holy crap, I bet you have big library.
I will get back to you,that's for sure.
Have you checked the prices lately?
The large all you can fit box is $16.95.

Way cheaper to get a plain box and ship by media mail.
I sell on Ebay. Shipping is really hurting us sellers with weighty items.
I will send a pm with address and books.

 

[TerryC]

Holy crap, I bet you have big library.
I will get back to you,that's for sure.
Have you checked the prices lately?
The large all you can fit box is $16.95.

Way cheaper to get a plain box and ship by media mail.
I sell on Ebay. Shipping is really hurting us sellers with weighty items.
I will send a pm with address and books.

Well, not quite holy crap.... just years of collecting and reading. Many of the publications have duplicate info but ALL have something to add. I have only been "in the field" (prospecting) for about 5 years. much of my knowledge comes from the books I read and those here on TNet. A good library is a way to round out your experience but nothing beats being in the trenches. Let's coordinate. TTC

 

[TerryC]

Also note: Many of the publications I have are FREE pdf files available on the internet. Maureen Johnson (above) Placer Districts of Arizona, Placer-Nevada, Placer N.M., Placer CA, etc. Most of her works are VER BATUM copies of public records. Check the net for the free pdf files before plucking down cash for what is already available free. TTC

 

[roadrunner]

Now that is what I will do starting now.
I also have this one, although it say California, it is good information for anywhere for placer deposits.
Placer Gold Recovery Methods---by Michael Silva---special publication 87--1986
spiral concentrators, retorts, ect.

 

[roadrunner]

Went out today with my son checking crevice's.
Maybe there is no Gold in this creek because the whole creek is basically riffles.
Or,there just is not any gold.

Went to Promack in AJ yesterday and they have a club for $75.00 a year.
Plus they have claims by Stanton,congress,ect, but they actually have one by me by Hayden. 27 miles.
Hayden is right around the Dripping Spring Placers.
Need to get up to Bunk,and join there club up there also.

Couple pics of the creek. By the big rock on the right of my boy, in front of him, there is a 4 foot deep hole with water in it. When this creek runs,the kids jump off the rock into the water as it is about 8-10 feet deep.
Used my home made suction wand in the pool but no luck.
It is on the ground in fron of my boy.Black ABS.
Lots of black sands, and pyrite.
The pic on far right is the rocks on side of creek.

 

[TerryC]

Went out today with my son checking crevice's.
Maybe there is no Gold in this creek because the whole creek is basically riffles.
Or,there just is not any gold.

Went to Promack in AJ yesterday and they have a club for $75.00 a year.
Plus they have claims by Stanton,congress,ect, but they actually have one by me by Hayden. 27 miles.
Hayden is right around the Dripping Spring Placers.
Need to get up to Bunk,and join there club up there also.

Couple pics of the creek. By the big rock on the right of my boy, in front of him, there is a 4 foot deep hole with water in it. When this creek runs,the kids jump off the rock into the water as it is about 8-10 feet deep.
Used my home made suction wand in the pool but no luck.
It is on the ground in fron of my boy.Black ABS.
Lots of black sands, and pyrite.
The pic on far right is the rocks on side of creek.

View attachment 782100View attachment 782101View attachment 782102

These kind of places are exactly what you are looking for. Water just part of the year. Dry most. They did a study in Alaska and deduced that gold would fall out at the top of the stream pediments. That is the conventional wisdom but they cannot compare Alaska to the southwest because the areas like your stream has something they don't have in Alaska.... violent thunderstorms! The storms keep the gold up on "the wave" moving it down the stream quickly. That is why detecting in the southwest is so good. The gold can be anywhere! Find a spot by those big rocks and DIG! Break up some of those cracks in the rocks. I just went sampling on Rose Creek.... (feeds into Stanislaus) and found good gold in the cracks, even though it was heavily dredged years ago. Hammer, crack, dig, and scoop! It is there. Not easy work for me. But then putting my feet on the floor every morning is half the battle. The rest is easy! TTC

 

[roadrunner]

This is actually Queen Creek. Not like the first photos. In front of my son is mine property. Who owns the creek?
Magma, or us, the people, or the town of Superior, or the TNF. I found black sand and pyrite. Big flakes of pyrite, but it just moved with the black sands.
when I put my hand over the pan to shade it, the pyrite went dark no shine, so it was not gold.

I wonder if any gold might be down farther, at this point, it is a swirling madness of water, I will have to take a pic. It is a set up rapids that even a kayaker wouldn,t attempt.

I will keep going down stream. I went upstream, it is next to a road for the water company, but a sign said no trespassing, but it is full of bullet holes, and every one hikes up this road to the old tunnel anyways.
I had my pans hidden in a back pack. Me and my wife going on a short hike thingy.

Terry, I will take another shot of all the rocks that I think are acting like riffles, or any gold is moving down stream.
But I will keep checking a few more spots.
The club from Promack is:
Superstition Mountain Treasure Hunters.