Exploring and prospecting the LSD area for gold... a fun time was had by all

[azblackbird]

Got out to the LSD area Friday for a day of prospecting. I’ve had my eye on some areas I wanted to sample and explore. Got out there and realized I didn’t have my “bushwackers” with me, so that kinda put the kabosh on doing any sampling work, as I like to be able to ride the Rokon up the narrow gullies and washes without getting too shredded by the native flora. No biggie... that left the rest of the day to do some major exploring.

Just for the heck of it, I thought I’d take the LSD all the way to where it ends. I thought this river/wash/gully was suppose to be the holy grail for gold? Once I got past all the claim markers, it was like I was riding in virgin territory. Didn’t see any activity at all except for a few dirt bike tracks. Oh well... guess I’ll have to come back and do some more exploring. There’s some areas of the upper LSD and its tributaries that look prime for drywashing. Whether there’s any gold there remains a mystery. I guess we’ll just have to find out.

Enjoy the video... make sure to watch it in HD for the cool scenery.

 

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[kazcoro]

Do you have a little back pack drywasher?

 

[Clay Diggins]

You really aren't going to find much gold above the dike swarm there azblackbird. The hardrock mines up there were mining other minerals, mostly lithium from the pegmatites.

The gold bearing gravels bear northeast in two forks out of the Little San Domingo wash just about at the patented land with the old dam and the "No GPAA" sign. There is a portion stranded on the Vulture Bait but it's not where you would expect it to be.

Follow those gravels and you will have some luck. They end up mostly on State land but there is a portion that crosses BLM. Last time I looked, about 4 weeks ago, some of that part was unclaimed.

Heavy Pans

 

[azblackbird]

You really aren't going to find much gold above the dike swarm there azblackbird. The hardrock mines up there were mining other minerals, mostly lithium from the pegmatites.

The main areas I'm really interested in prospecting are the upper drainage systems for the Iona and Trilby washes. I thought I'd check out what all the hoopla was all about for the LSD proper and follow it all the way back. Only saw a few spots that looked interesting. You're right about not all the mines in the area being strictly gold oriented. Lot's of mica and even uranium were mined in the area. There really aren't that many gold mines in the LSD area.

 

[azblackbird]

Do you have a little back pack drywasher?

I've got a dry washer that I can haul in with my Rokon. It's the same size as the Keene 140.

 

[Clay Diggins]

The main areas I'm really interested in prospecting are the upper drainage systems for the Iona and Trilby washes. I thought I'd check out what all the hoopla was all about for the LSD proper and follow it all the way back. Only saw a few spots that looked interesting. You're right about not all the mines in the area being strictly gold oriented. Lot's of mica and even uranium were mined in the area. There really aren't that many gold mines in the LSD area.

Part of that hoopla is based on the fact that Iona and Little San Domingo join when Iona has large floods. A lot of the LSD legend is probably based on Iona gold.

Drilling revealed that LSD west of hwy 60 has twice the gold of the areas you see all those old guys with ATVs pounding year after year. Max LSD depth to bedrock is 16 foot at the mouth.

Trilby is a much bigger system than LSD. Whole different story there. I'm glad to see you are doing your research. Getting out is good but researching and working smart will get you those unworked patches you will never find in the LSD.

Heavy Pans

 

[Lanny in AB]

Enjoyed your video.

It took me back to my desert gold hunting experiences.

Thanks for posting it.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[azblackbird]

Enjoyed your video. It took me back to my desert gold hunting experiences.

Thanks Lanny... what you write is pure gold. The hard drive in my head is full of tidbits that I pick up here and there from reading your many knowledgeable posts... same goes for Barry (Clay Diggins).

 

[russau]

WOW AZ that was great to tag-a-long with you this morning! it was great to just to get out ! Im suprized that you forgot your chaps!

 

[azblackbird]

WOW AZ that was great to tag-a-long with you this morning! it was great to just to get out ! Im suprized that you forgot your chaps!

I've got a pair of chaps, but when out prospecting they're just too hot and cumbersome to wear. I do a pretty good job of dodging all the thorny stuff. I wear knee/shin guards, heavy long sleeved shirt, heavy pants, boots, and a light helmet, so I don't get too thrashed when I'm out exploring. If there's something in my way, I usually carry my "bushwhackers" with me, so I'll just cut or chop it down if it becomes too much of a problem.

 

[djui5]

That's a cool video. I used to have two 40 acre placer claims in that area.

 

[fowledup]

Love the desert, wish we were closer to it. Not knowing your area, are those washes your following seasonal streams or old dried up stream beds

 

[azblackbird]

Not knowing your area, are those washes your following seasonal streams or old dried up stream beds

For the most part they stay dry year round unless there's one heck of a storm cell in the area, then they'll flow for a few hours and stir things up a bit.