I need a quick geology lesson...

[Darshevo]

I pick stuff up in passing when I read and occasionally I commit something to memory that is either incomplete or outright wrong. Some where along the line I have come to the conclusion that from a geological stand point a dendritic drainage is a good place to start a search for gold.

I have recently located an area using google earth in Idaho that has a good looking dendritic drainage. Using geoCommunicator I have found there were lode mining claims in the upper reaches of the drainage (they are now closed) There are no current or closed placer claims in the area. Am I crazy to think that if there was a lode claim in the upper areas that through the course of time dust/flakes/nuggets would now be lurking in the lower areas of the drainage?

Sadly I am a real newcomer to the prospecting hobby. I am much better at tracking down info than I am at running a gold pan. I think I am gonna pack the family up in the morning and at least go check the area out for myself, if nothing else we'll have a nice family day in the forest

-Lance

[dave wiseman]

For a real quick test,clean out the visable bedrock cracks..breaking them open as far you can.Pan slowly and check the quartz before discarding it.

[TerryC]

Dendritic drainage aside, if there has been gold taken from the watershed... high or low... chances are you are good to go. The main theme is go where it's been found before. You and I can rely on the "oldtimers" to have done the hardest part... finding the pay streaks. TTC