Hi Bill, After looking at the 1st post in this thread, I feel their may be plenty of stashes yet to find. I would look for a smelter,and that may lead you to one. I am sure you are far ahead of most since you prowl those mountains. Their must have been some kind of complex their to serve the miners and water source.{things you already know} I myself shortened my metal detector arm,so I could slide the coil it into shallow tight areas.I only use a Garrett 400,works fine. I located a shallow cave,concave shaped,goes in about 18ft,a little higher up completely surrouned by brown smooth rock with streaks of quartz,this was below the top of a mountain covered on the outside with a large tree. Found a pair of divening rods inside. I am not a hardrock miner,so it stays as is. Dont have photos. On a rant.