Hello all,
I probably should have done this back 5yrs ago when I joined just to ask a question about mica that I got overly excited about!
Well, I'm now fully established in San Bernardino, CA now & in the last 5 yrs have only been able to make it out 2 times! I'm hoping to change that & am "joining" back up on here to hopefully learn as much as I can & get pointed in the right direction!
Of the 2 times that I went out, I figured the further from civilization I went the better, so I hiked into so pretty rough terrain, worked my tail off, & only got a small flake the 2nd time. A descent size picker the 1st outing , started the gold fever... I don't / didn't want to be a lousy claim jumper, so I familiarized myself with LR2000, but now looks like the mylandmatters.org site is the way to go?
Now, after those 2 trips & getting a feel for how hard this new hobby is going to be, I am hoping for some sage advice. I'm prior military & I've never forgotten the lesson "go find the most experienced guy in the room, sit down, shut up & listen to every word he's got to say..."
So, if anyone has some guidance, I would greatly appreciate it!
I am on the southern end of California, & can go panning up in the Holcomb Creek area or Deep Creek near Big Bear, pretty claimed up though... I've also thought about getting a nice drywasher (thinking a Keene 151
) & going out in the desert near Randsburg. I'm even open to paying for a claim ($2500 or less) either local, or up in the Mother Lode area in NorCal if need be.
I've got a frau & two youngins that are getting close to old enough to throw a shovel around or tend to a sluice, so I would look at the claim investment as a designated family camping area that just happens to also be "prospectable".
I very much would like to join a local type of club, to learn from the more experienced folks first hand. I'll join GPAA, if suggested, but think a smaller club would be a better fit (& presume less worked over club claims)
Also, definitely open to paying for a "guide" or a class/outing to teach me, as I really realize I don't have a clue what I'm doing!
So, with that long, 5yrs late introduction, any advice or guidance?
Thanks in advance!
-Kodak
I probably should have done this back 5yrs ago when I joined just to ask a question about mica that I got overly excited about!
Well, I'm now fully established in San Bernardino, CA now & in the last 5 yrs have only been able to make it out 2 times! I'm hoping to change that & am "joining" back up on here to hopefully learn as much as I can & get pointed in the right direction!
Of the 2 times that I went out, I figured the further from civilization I went the better, so I hiked into so pretty rough terrain, worked my tail off, & only got a small flake the 2nd time. A descent size picker the 1st outing , started the gold fever... I don't / didn't want to be a lousy claim jumper, so I familiarized myself with LR2000, but now looks like the mylandmatters.org site is the way to go?
Now, after those 2 trips & getting a feel for how hard this new hobby is going to be, I am hoping for some sage advice. I'm prior military & I've never forgotten the lesson "go find the most experienced guy in the room, sit down, shut up & listen to every word he's got to say..."
So, if anyone has some guidance, I would greatly appreciate it!
I am on the southern end of California, & can go panning up in the Holcomb Creek area or Deep Creek near Big Bear, pretty claimed up though... I've also thought about getting a nice drywasher (thinking a Keene 151
) & going out in the desert near Randsburg. I'm even open to paying for a claim ($2500 or less) either local, or up in the Mother Lode area in NorCal if need be.I've got a frau & two youngins that are getting close to old enough to throw a shovel around or tend to a sluice, so I would look at the claim investment as a designated family camping area that just happens to also be "prospectable".
I very much would like to join a local type of club, to learn from the more experienced folks first hand. I'll join GPAA, if suggested, but think a smaller club would be a better fit (& presume less worked over club claims
)Also, definitely open to paying for a "guide" or a class/outing to teach me, as I really realize I don't have a clue what I'm doing!
So, with that long, 5yrs late introduction, any advice or guidance?
Thanks in advance!
-Kodak
