hurthawk said:Large gravel and cobbles are swept in to the horizontal swirl holes and grind any gold there like a ball mill. The gold eventually gets to the consistency of talcum powder and is swept out of the hole. That is why I look for holes that slant back in to the bedrock. Compacted material will build up in the back of those holes and that is where you have a better chance of finding gold...even an occasional picker.
Rick