SF American

[H&F909ORO]

Hi All,

It has been a while since I got to go on another prospecting adventure, but I got to go out this week. The South Fork of the American was a spot I probably would of went to when I reached the bottom of my list of places to go to. After a trip there it really surprised me. More spots to look for and find some gold.

With some tips, help, and directions I was on my way to getting some good gold. I was directed to a spot called "the bowl".

Once there the cold was noticed instantly. I felt like maybe I should stay in the car, but there was gold that needed finding. We hiked with our gear to the spot and arrived at the area.

We looked around the area for a good set up and did find a decent spot. I did a test pan to find it was ok to start.

During the course of the day I found more gold than I ever thought I would get. I did bring some dirt home to find more. Now when I say I have never seen this much to some of you that may be not a lot. I'm sure most of you have found much more but this was exciting. Despite freezing hands and being cold most of the time it was worth it.

Happy New Years!

 

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[azblackbird]

Way to beat the skunk!

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Hi All,

It has been a while since I got to go on another prospecting adventure, but I got to go out this week. The South Fork of the American was a spot I probably would of went to when I reached the bottom of my list of places to go to. After a trip there it really surprised me. More spots to look for and find some gold.

With some tips, help, and directions I was on my way to getting some good gold. I was directed to a spot called "the bowl".

Once there the cold was noticed instantly. I felt like maybe I should stay in the car, but there was gold that needed finding. We hiked with our gear to the spot and arrived at the area.

We looked around the area for a good set up and did find a decent spot. I did a test pan to find it was ok to start.

During the course of the day I found more gold than I ever thought I would get. I did bring some dirt home to find more. Now when I say I have never seen this much to some of you that may be not a lot. I'm sure most of you have found much more but this was exciting. Despite freezing hands and being cold most of the time it was worth it.

Happy New Years!

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1101594"/>

Awesome

 

[goldenmojo]

Great Gold! That river can be cold but it looks like you stayed with it for the win. Hope you are able to get out more often and get some more.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice Gold in that pan!

 

[mcordell]

Way to get after it. The fever shows strong.

 

[Hoser John]

I call it the river of death as massive flow increases in mere minutes have killed a GREAT friend and watched 2 others go to their maker there. Err on the side of caution as ending up crawdad food is NOT a nice way to go. You can feel the temperature drop fast as flow hits you. MFA(almost got me) also and S.F. of Yuba massive influxes cost many a dredge and friends equipment and painful injuries.John

 

[goldenmojo]

John Sorry to hear of the fate of your friends. I always check the flow chart before I hit the SF. There is a 7 hour difference between the release at Chili Bar and the immediate rise near the Salmon Falls/ Skunk Hollow Bridge. The water is continually dropping slowly through the AM hours then whamo your chasing your sluice. The water is very cold now. Safety First to all.

 

[Hoser John]

Amen man--live to fight yet another day. The releases are indeed dangerous and could easily be done MUCH more slowly,but what the heck more fun this way sic sic sic-John

 

[AuSomeness]

Nice. Good to see some Au in the pan, especially from the American. Goldenmojo, where can I find the flow charts? I love visiting the American, but was not aware that the scheduled flow releases could be treacherous.

 

[goldenmojo]

They can be depending on how aware you are of your surroundings.

Locations: Dreamflows Realtime Report

Chilibar Chart: So. American - At Chili Bar

The release is 7 hours difference to the Skunk Hollow Salmon Falls Bridge. From the Chilibar chart the water being released last midnight was at 700 cfs. They held it there and at about 5am started lowering it and it is at 650 currently. That equates to 650cfs at the bridge at noon. You also have to factor in how long it takes the tub to drain. The water will be lower by the chart but the river will be draining out so the water level will be higher than the chart number will continue through the AM dropping slowly. Factor in rainy days also as all the side creeks and gullies carry water unaccounted for which can be alot. Normal low level ran about 175cfs on hot days and the water was way down physically. Stay safe the water is cold cold cold.

 

[Goldwasher]

When I drove through Lotus yesterday evening she was going pretty good. I was thinking of this thread and how many funerals there would surely be this weekend

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Always great info GM

 

[goldenmojo]

Thanks. Want people to be safe. Don't want find anyone's hat after they went under....

 

[Hoser John]

At least the Water Master in charge of the Kern River has his signs posted-Killer Kern and the body counts of those who folly......John

 

[Oakview2]

Very BAD on the San Joaquin as well, hydro water release have sunk many a dredge, and warmed the wetsuits of many

 

[Duckwalk]

Good to see people watching out for other. Not only locals, but visitors alike. If i were to come out and visit i would have had NO CLUE as to how dangerous it could be down in the rivers. Now i not only know where to find charts, but i know to look out for rising waters (and other peoples sluices to hit me in the head) and keep an eye on others around me. Great info, and greatly appreciative of others sharing warnings and knowledge

 

[theseeker]

Good to see people watching out for other. Not only locals, but visitors alike. If i were to come out and visit i would have had NO CLUE as to how dangerous it could be down in the rivers. Now i not only know where to find charts, but i know to look out for rising waters (and other peoples sluices to hit me in the head) and keep an eye on others around me. Great info, and greatly appreciative of others sharing warnings and knowledge

Duckwalk, you are absolutely right. I will be traveling to Sacramento from Florida in early February for training and am planning on spending 5 or 6 days on the rivers chasing some color. I had no idea that they do water releases like that. I could easily have become a victim myself without this information. Many thanks to all you folks here for sharing all the knowledge and information that you do!

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Have a Safe Journey coming to the Motherlode of CA. There are many of us in the area, hitting the rivers often.

Make many AUsome memories, and please, pass some photos on to us as they approach.

 

[theseeker]

Have a Safe Journey coming to the Motherlode of CA. There are many of us in the area, hitting the rivers often.

Make many AUsome memories, and please, pass some photos on to us as they approach.

Thanks for the welcome GoldProspector! I used to live in N. CA in the 70's and still have family and many friends there. My Dad is retired military and lives in Fairfield. He's got my highbanker, pump and accessories in his storage shed. Always enjoy getting back that way! Maybe I'll get lucky and get to meet some of you folks on the rivers! I'll be getting me a BGT when I get there and am really excited to try that baby out! I will definitely post some pics of my stay when the time comes. Thanks again and heavy pans to everyone!!