The Many Lost Treasures of Mariposa, CA (Photos Added)

63bkpkr said:
Eagle,
These will be printed today and sent tomorrow, 30April, in the late afternoon.

Regards.....63bkpkr
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Many thanks My Brother!! We can use all of the help we can get on this. Another case of Gov. suppression for the big money interests.

Incidently, I browsed a March issue of the ICMJ while in Mariposa. It has the new guidelines from Dept. of F&G for dredging. It looks like there won't be a lot of dredging going on in CA.

There are approx. 4,000 dredgers in the state, (not including ones from other states), and they intend to issue only 1,400 permits. Dredges will be limited to a 4" nozzle and has to have a reduction ring, reducing it down to a 3" intake.
Larger sizes MIGHT BE permitted after an onsite inspection. Yeah, Right!!

Eagle
 

Eagle I don't want to muck up your thread but wonder if you have ever had any experience with the Gold Grabber products, specifically the "mini" and the hand pumped Mini w/rocker box...a couple of us are thinking about investing a few bucks..
 

Sam 8 said:
Eagle I don't want to muck up your thread but wonder if you have ever had any experience with the Gold Grabber products, specifically the "mini" and the hand pumped Mini w/rocker box...a couple of us are thinking about investing a few bucks..
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No. Actually, this is the first I've heard of it. I checked out Gold Dredge Builders Warehouse after I read your post and it appears to be a new product. From what I've read so far, I would probably be interested in trying it out, but I wouldn't pay for the power and pump, as I'm sure I could come up with a less expensive way to furnish water.

I also didn't notice anything about how fast it could process aluvial materials. I'll do a little more reading before I can give you a more concise answer.

Don't worry about "mucking up" my thread Brother, I'm sure a lot of readers would be interested in knowing your results, should you purchase one. This is what I've been telling my readers; If you have anything you think others would be interested in, please don't hesitate to come in and share. (Just keep locations to yourselves). (lol)

Thanks for bringing this to my attention!!

Eagle
 

Eagle

How about some information on the trip? I know the weather was good. Sorry I didn't make it by your camp. We were up and over the hill from Briceburg the week before and the week after. As far as dredging, PLP has a case that may be heard within the next two weeks,and they seem to think they have a pretty good case, and if so, all dredging will go back to the 1994 regulations and permit fees. I have never dredged, but would like too and hope to secure a permit in the near future for a club dredging on two new claims. Happy Hunting.... PS I am wondering if you have ever metal detected the burned out cabin site of Miner Petes place. Perhaps he moved his polk before his passing, knowing that the feds would surely get rid of his cabin PDQ if he were to pass. I would think your Whites might serve you well there or up the mountain at his old mine site.
http://www.plp2.org/forums/showthre...njunction-overturned-Suction-Dredging-permits

http://plp1.org/home.html

http://plp1.org/legaldocuments.html Check out the 4/12/12 Petition of Writ of Injuction....
 

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Hemisteve said:
ICMJ.Com for Old Digger

Hi Eagle,
Still here following your adventures and listening to your sage advice. Can,t wait to read about your next journey, hope you can get out soon.
I am sure folks here would like to see your Opal work, I know I would. How about some pictures.

Thanks for your willingness to share with us and keep us entertained.
Steve
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Halito Hemisteve,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. I've been digging through my computer folders looking for some pictures of opals for you. Normally, I don't bother taking photos of my work, but this one is of a Black Opal I found at the Bonanza Opal Mine in Virgin Valley, Nevada. I made a ring out of it and liked it enough to take a picture. Sorry about the quality of the photo, it was before I learned about "Macro" on my camera.
 

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Hi Eagle,
Beautiful Setting. Are you carving and casting your own mounts?
I dug for Opals at the Royal Rainbow near Soldier Meadows in '04. Did,nt get any gem size but I dug into a vug and pulled out a piece of basalt that was shot through with fire opal. It might make an interesting cab if I can orient the grain right.

The Virgin Valley has been on my trip list for a long time. I just got a lead on an area that might have fire agate near there so a little prospecting journey might happen this year.
Steve
 

Hemisteve said:
Hi Eagle,
Beautiful Setting. Are you carving and casting your own mounts?
I dug for Opals at the Royal Rainbow near Soldier Meadows in '04. Did,nt get any gem size but I dug into a vug and pulled out a piece of basalt that was shot through with fire opal. It might make an interesting cab if I can orient the grain right.

The Virgin Valley has been on my trip list for a long time. I just got a lead on an area that might have fire agate near there so a little prospecting journey might happen this year.
Steve
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Thank you my friend,

I made all of it, except the leaf. After I had decided on the design, I realised that I needed something to protect the opal from bumps, so I dug through my findings and found that leaf. It's high enough that the opal is well protected, but still gets plenty of light. I don't have a kiln, so I either buy cast leaves or feathers or cut and etch them myself. I also make the ring shanks. That way, no two pieces of jewelry are the same, with the exception of earings of course and even then, a set is not exactly matched. (Though by eye, most can't tell any difference).

Right, I've found that the hardest part of working opals is to find the right alignment to gather the most fire. Sometimes, I'll study a stone for weeks before I take a chance on cutting it. And there's been some real disappointments. Like starting with a lot of fire, then having the fire disappear over half of the stone during the shaping and polishing process.

I hate to admit it, but I have no idea of where Soldiers Meadows is. But, it sounds like an area I'd like to visit. (lol)

Anyway, good luck with your basalt. I hope it works out good.

Eagle
 

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Hello EagleDown,
Work has been good though it is difficult for me to comprehend HOW 4 weeks has passed since I began working at Boston Sci!!
The work has also dulled my brain power somewhat so I've not been that active in reading posts and have Just read yours from April 29 about the DF&G article about the dredging regs. I've not even attempted to look up the article, just lazy, but was wondering if they indicated anything about highbanking?

OK, now for some sleep..........63bkpkr
 

Hi Again,
Feeling a bit guilty I decided to TRY and find the info myself on the DFG site and guess what, I found it. It looks like my rig might just see water this year!

MMS update: I have reached 15 drops each and I can understand the use of the apple juice!

Final Suction Dredge Regulations (March 2012) and Related Document

Mining Which is not Prohibited by the Moratorium


The moratorium established by SB 670 and AB 120 does not prohibit or restrict non-motorized recreational mining activities, including panning for gold. It also does not prohibit or restrict some other forms of mining, including, for example, practices known as high banking, power sluicing, sniping or using a gravity dredge, so long as gravel and earthern materials are not vacuumed with a motorized system from the river or stream. The method of mining known as booming, is prohibited with 100 yards of any river, stream or lake.
It is important for you to know that other environmental laws may apply to some of these mining practices. Be aware that Fish and Game Code section 5650 prohibits the placement of materials deleterious to fish, including sand and gravel from outside of the current water level, into the river or stream. Further, Fish and Game Code section 1602 requires that any person notify the Department of Fish and Game before substantially diverting or obstructing the natural flow of, or substantially changing or using any material from the bed, channel or bank of any river, stream or lake. Additional information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/1600/ .
The State Water Resources Control Board has authority for the protection of water quality and has recently provided additional information regarding highbanking. The Department of Fish and Game recommends that you review the Highbanking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provided at the following link:



Now, what kind of weather will we have for the rest of May and how will it effect the snow melt and when will the rivers be safe for ME to play in as I've a lot I would like to do this summer.

Have fun...........63bkpkr
 

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HI i live in fresno CA. and am new to the M.D.ing thing (But i got the fever now!)
and i was woundering if any one can tell me any thing about skaggs bridge?
thanks.
 

armyeod81 said:
HI i live in fresno CA. and am new to the M.D.ing thing (But i got the fever now!)
and i was woundering if any one can tell me any thing about skaggs bridge?
thanks.
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Halito armyeod81,

I'm a little pressed for time at the moment. I'll try to get back in here this afternoon. In the meanwhile, you can check out this link from Wikipedia: Kerman Photo History - Skaggs Bridge

You might also take the time to go to the Madera Museum. Also, check your local Chamber of Commerce for a Madera Historical Society. A little tip here; If you talk to a member of a Historical Society, be frank about your interest in metal detecting and how you would like to donate found artifacts to the Society etc. (If you would). You might be surprised at some of the (historical) information you might pick up. A lot of it could be about things other than the bridge, (things you might not have considered). (lol)

Anyway, gotta go! Good luck with your new hobby!!

Eagle
 

You are not far from me. I am in Prather, have done some prospecting on the San Joaquin, mostly at broken bridge. That river has a lot of fines, not many bigger pieces past the Friant dam. I would think there should be some good gold out there, as long as there is accessible property that is not private or prohibited. My son and I are going to do some MD on the San Joaquin today at a new and promising stretch of bedrock. PS...Since the end of April, the water released into the river has doubled if not tripled.... Happy Hunting
 

thanks for the info!!!!
going to hit skaggs on sunday and Calwa park today.
hope to find some silver.
 

Hi Eagle,
Soldier Meadows is roughly 50 miles SW of the Virgin Valley. Those opal mines are in the north end of the Black Rock Desert about 30 miles north of Gerlach. Most of the opal there is common, not gem quality, but still is pretty when kept wet in a vial.

Steve
 

Skaggs bridge is a bust!!!!
Sooooo! much trash!!!
did find a $1.19 in clad so not a huge fail.
going have to go back to roading park next sat.day
 

An interesting little artical. I did some calculating from the artical
and came up with these figures:

187.96 Troy Pounds @ $18.00 Troy Ounce = $3,677,174.20 (This mornings spot price, 24K).

Yreka:

IF the legend is true, it would be a nice little find.


Eagle
 

armyeod81 said:
Found a 1958 UN PESO in calwa park!
Is it silver?:icon_scratch:
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A 1958 Mexican Peso contains .0511 of an ounce of silver. They're probably worth $1 to $2, depending upon the seller.

Eagle
 

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DONNER TREASURE Part UNEARTHED BY A PROSPECTOR May 17, 1891

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