Mineral bar

[mjarvis]

Friend of mine and I went out to Iowa hill today, great weather, water, fun but not much luck. We went down stream about 1/2 mile down and worked the huge boulders and crevices. I had my sand an sucker pump and tools but not much luck. What a great area and I've heard that there's a lot of great spots but I'm not sure where I went wrong. Maybe I stayed in the same area to long, or I didn't work down stream enough. Not sure but I felt like I wasted time with just a few gold flakes to show for 4 hours of fun. Anyone out there with advice, happy to get sum. Thanks to you all!!

 

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[fowledup]

My approach to an area that has seen or sees alot of pressure, is not to follow golds conventional pathways. The conventional spots in most cases don't get enough time to replentish before getting hammered again. I look for places I think might catch a little gold and even less attention. Particularly hidden cracks and crevices. My theory is if I'm not cussing, bleeding, and in general having a hell of a time getting it cleaned out someone has probably beat me to it. Also don't stop on a crack your working until your scraping rock on the bottom, the majority of the gold will be touching that rock.
Three things I always carry when I'm crackin; hacksaw blade (one end notched into a hook), piece of leather or rubber (apprx 8"- 10" sq), and my favorite- a plastic cup (casino change cups are perfect) wrapped with a layer of duct tape. I can almost always get one end of the blade down in the crack and I'll use the leather or cup, which ever fits the crack to catch the scrapings.

 

[mjarvis]

I like it Fowledup. Great advice, I'm missing a couple of those pieces of equipment guess I need to get sum an head back out and try it again!! Thxs

 

[MadMarshall]

If you take the trail at the bridge downriver towards yankee jims and continue past the landslide area.. North Fork American River Rafting > Mile-by-Mile
Tounge and groove rapids begins the gold..(my experience with the river)the section of the river to Staircase has proven well for me.. Not only nice chunky gold but I have also found payable gravel though it seems to ride high above the waterline in the flood plain.. I am partial to cracking and the area has a good return for such work. Above chamberlain falls up high on the bedrock there is allot of broken rocks and decent gold though it is a difficult panning area and I think Sluicing is not an option but the all that gravel under those big broken shelf rock pays. Just a pain in the ass.


Tounge in groove area.. Still lots of decent gravel to work..

 

[KevinInColorado]

If you take the trail at the bridge downriver towards yankee jims and continue past the landslide area.. North Fork American River Rafting > Mile-by-Mile Tounge and groove rapids begins the gold..(my experience with the river)the section of the river to Staircase has proven well for me.. Not only nice chunky gold but I have also found payable gravel though it seems to ride high above the waterline in the flood plain.. I am partial to cracking and the area has a good return for such work. Above chamberlain falls up high on the bedrock there is allot of broken rocks and decent gold though it is a difficult panning area and I think Sluicing is not an option but the all that gravel under those big broken shelf rock pays. Just a pain in the ass. YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmBOMjuahAI YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaQX6OFM2ME Tounge in groove area.. Still lots of decent gravel to work..

MM, you are so generous with sharing info, you've inspired me to do the same here in CO! I sure wish you continued success on the creeks...

 

[Aufisher]

MM is a hero in these parts!

 

[mjarvis]

Thxs MM that's some great info, I'm guessing I haven't hiked far enough down the river. Now I'm eager to get back out there and go again!! The weather is going to change here very shortly and my window is closing fast. I appreciate the feed back, I'm hopeful I can get to use it.

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

There are sooo many very generous guys on this site! We are not the bent up selfish type that we are made out to be. I want everyone to find gold. That kind of excitement and adrenalin should be shared!...Of course i keep a few honey holes to myself.

 

[ALewis]

T Net !!!