Greenhorn prospecting. Questions about material found in pan after first trip

[GoldHunter24k]

Greenhorn Hunter here! So after copious amounts of research, youtube videos, reading forums and speculating, my girlfriend and I ventured out to try our luck in a well known river location in southern California. This spot is famous for its placer deposits and I have seen and met folks who have done quite well in that area, so i know there's gold there. All you have to do is find it right?! We went about a mile up the river and found a 90degree bend, so we started digging on the inside curve. I found lots of big boulders about 4 feet deep that were covered in a clay like mud. Makes sense that gold would travel with the biggest boulders because they are heavier and carry the most centrifugal momentum when tumbling down the river in a flood. So I began to fill a bucket of the material under and around the boulder to see if there was any black sand and maybe even color! Low and behold there were glimmers at the bottom of the pan!

Now, the greenhorn in me got really excited because i had found my first flake of gold! Or was it? So after classifying and panning a bit I had put all the flakes I found in a small vial for safe keeping. After about an hour or so I looked into the vial and noticed that the pieces weren't quite gold anymore. They look a darker color, and weren't quite as gold and shiny as they were in the pan. What was going on here? Was this fools gold or some kind of dark mica or graphite that, when the yellow sun shown on them they looked to be gold? Well I didn't have much time to wonder because the clouds rolled in and it started to rain I had just spent the last hour digging and filling that bucket and now I was going to have to ditch the material because of the storm. Well the stubborn greenhorn in me braved the rain and classified as many bigger stones out of the bucket as I could and humped it back to the truck.

I brought the bucket home and began to pan the concentrate under a light. Well I ran into the same problem. At first I thought I was finding flakes and flour gold but after harvesting the flakes that looked golden in the light, I held the vial up and the pieces were the same dull color I found before. Can anyone shed some light on what i'm finding? It seems to have some weight to it because it falls directly to the bottom when I turn the vial over. Makes it very difficult to actually tell the difference from actual gold or these gold-like specs that i'm finding. Sorry for the long post but i hope that other beginners can learn from this. Thanks

 

[GoldHunter24k]

Hi Bell and thanks! That seems to be the consensus. I still haven't seen any up close only briefly when another prospector showed me his vial. I still feel like im washing away nuggets as I pan but I guess that's just something I have to get used to as I refine the technique. I feel really comfortable panning and using the correct motions so I guess the hole I dug was just not on the money. Next hole pls!

Hey Aurabbit79er that would be greatly appreciated! Your maps clear up a few things about the area, but my problem was i didn't have an actual map to mark the spots down or a gps and my smartphone had no service so it was difficult to figure out where I was actually standing. We sort of just picked a random bank to scale down and hit up the nearest bend because we didn't have much daylight left.

I've used Google earth and downloaded an old mining overlay that shows where placer deposits have been found and it also shows closed and open mines. I've marked where the fault runs through the mountains and i've marked each bend that i think looks promising. I've also been able to zoom in, because Google earth is virtually 3D, and look closely at where early floods have been and where sides of mountains have collapsed exposing old riverbed and bedrock along the river. There's a spot where the river drops 300ft in a really short distance with a few switchbacks that look very promising.

If everything goes as planned we are going to try to go tuesday and wednesday but we aren't sure yet. I should know by monday what the plan is. What time do you plan on arriving? We can PM any further details but i'm not sure if i will be able to stay on wednesday yet. We'll be in an '04 black Jeep cherokee

 

[Aurabbit79er]

Hi Bell and thanks! That seems to be the consensus. I still haven't seen any up close only briefly when another prospector showed me his vial. I still feel like im washing away nuggets as I pan but I guess that's just something I have to get used to as I refine the technique. I feel really comfortable panning and using the correct motions so I guess the hole I dug was just not on the money. Next hole pls!

Hey Aurabbit79er that would be greatly appreciated! Your maps clear up a few things about the area, but my problem was i didn't have an actual map to mark the spots down or a gps and my smartphone had no service so it was difficult to figure out where I was actually standing. We sort of just picked a random bank to scale down and hit up the nearest bend because we didn't have much daylight left.

I've used Google earth and downloaded an old mining overlay that shows where placer deposits have been found and it also shows closed and open mines. I've marked where the fault runs through the mountains and i've marked each bend that i think looks promising. I've also been able to zoom in, because Google earth is virtually 3D, and look closely at where early floods have been and where sides of mountains have collapsed exposing old riverbed and bedrock along the river. There's a spot where the river drops 300ft in a really short distance with a few switchbacks that look very promising.

If everything goes as planned we are going to try to go tuesday and wednesday but we aren't sure yet. I should know by monday what the plan is. What time do you plan on arriving? We can PM any further details but i'm not sure if i will be able to stay on wednesday yet. We'll be in an '04 black Jeep cherokee

Ok, I will be getting to the parking parking lot As close to 1:00PM as I can on Wed.the 14th. That is the earliest I can do. I'm staying til Sat. morning.
I am only going to explore Wed. I haven't checked very much from the Cattle Creek Bridge to the parking lot. I go to Heaton Flats and work from there north.
I wanted to avoid the week end crowds. Now I'm trying to do more mid-week excursions. Less people.
Could you send me that mining areas map?
Where did you find it?

 

[GoldHunter24k]

Its a file that you can use with Google earth. It was off of the U.S. Geological survey website, i believe. I'm trying to find where i found it again. I can try emailing it to you. I then used that along with a little geological speculation to make my own "treasure map," if you will. Is gold fever when you pan in your sleep? Cuz I think i'm coming down with a case

I hear you about going there midweek. I can't believe the amount of trash that is left there. When i was there last thursday it was so peaceful. I couldn't imagine what it would look like on the weekends and i can't say that i want to find out.

This time we plan on hiking a little further up and doing some sampling. Is that old camping area on that map you made still in use? Is camping allowed there? If we end up staying t'll Wednesday we will probably get an early start on the day, so if you see a younger couple digging and slinging dirt then it's probably us.

 

[mellowyellow]

Be up there on the 13th. East fork. I will be not humping that day and just gonna work near or just above the cattle creek bridge. You'll find me. Look for a black Chevy pick up near by.

Be happy to dig with u and show u some things. Only been digging a year but have learned ALOT.

All the best...
Mellow

 

[GoldHunter24k]

Hey Mellowyellow thanks for the post! I've heard about that bridge being a good spot as well but upriver has me really curious. There's a spot i really want to check out so we will probably be a few miles past the East Fork parking lot. It would be great to learn a few things and if we end up staying for an extra day we will definitely check that spot out. If not, then definitely on the next outing. More holes are better than one!

 

[mellowyellow]

Hey no worries, have a blast up river and hope you hit a few pockets. Been up there a few times myself... Found some decent color, last time up at east fork found a 1.3 gram nugget close to the bridge.. Me happy. Thanks shovel humper for that day! We had a blast.

Best of luck brother! Have a blast.

 

[Aurabbit79er]

I loved camping at Heaton Flats.
I've tent camped there many years with my Boy Scouts (That's another story), My daughters friends, and more than a few times just Me and my Dog Scully. She always warned me of trouble around camp or the dig. I'm a mit friendly sometimes too.
Scully was a much better judge of character than I.
Now we have a coach, no more tents.

 

[GoldHunter24k]

Hey no worries, have a blast up river and hope you hit a few pockets. Been up there a few times myself... Found some decent color, last time up at east fork found a 1.3 gram nugget close to the bridge.. Me happy. Thanks shovel humper for that day! We had a blast.

Best of luck brother! Have a blast.

1.3 gram nug? wow nice! Makes me want to go up there even more now hehe. Did you snipe it with a metal detector or did it pop up in your pan? Saw your other post about EF and what your cut was digging with 3 other ppl. not bad! If we get up there early enough we might stop by that bridge to do some sampling. Are you usually up river or down?

Aurabbit79er what kind of trouble have you run into over there? Any tips or precautions to take? See many snakes, bears, ect? Angry miners?

Would love to own a camper or RV someday. I saw all the RV spots on the way up there. I'd probably stay weeks at a time too I was even thinking of getting a small tarp tent or something in case it rains and even setting up a few lights to dig in the evening. I heard someone mention that they were only taking a few more trips up there before it gets too cold and inside I kind of chuckled. I'm from New Hampshire and we have very hardy winters with lots of snow and freezing temps, so when he said its going to be "too cold" well, i couldn't imagine conditions that would keep me from mining now that i've got the fever!

 

[mellowyellow]

Yes sir, i had a seasoned miner that day that actually pointed me the hole i was working. Thanks Shovel humper! Totally different than I am used to looking at. Look in places people won't. Gold can travel all over not just under rocks and in bends .

The nugget fell from my scoop on to the sluice. Boooyah! I know how rare it is to find a nugget there, actually anywhere, so I was/am VERY excited. 2 weeks after at Mojave I found a .75 gram nugget sitting in my classifier. I'm on a hot streak, lol. Hope it continues.

I will be just above (up steam) from the bridge and I will get there around 8-9 am. Hope to see you as you pass me walking/driving toward heaton flats where u are going. Be well!

M.Y.

 

[GoldHunter24k]

Nice! We definitely need to meet up in the future to do some digging then I've heard about Mojave being a popular place for prospecting as well. How much further is it from EF?

What kind of sluice do you use? Im trying to avoid ordering a pricey one online and i'd like to have one for the 13/14th, so im going go to home depot to try and hunt down some 1/4' mesh, square ducting and some kind of ribbed mat with carpeting or miners moss if i can find it. Have any experience with building sluices? Or can you recommend any miner supply stores nearby?

Also I was curious, I saw your post about purchasing a mining claim. Any luck with that? I've also read about staking your own claim for only a couple hundred dollars but lots of paperwork involved. I'd be interested as to the details of buying a claim as well if you find any

thanks for the advice and info, best of luck out there as well and hope to meet up in the future

 

[mellowyellow]

Nice! We definitely need to meet up in the future to do some digging then I've heard about Mojave being a popular place for prospecting as well. How much further is it from EF?

What kind of sluice do you use? Im trying to avoid ordering a pricey one online and i'd like to have one for the 13/14th, so im going go to home depot to try and hunt down some 1/4' mesh, square ducting and some kind of ribbed mat with carpeting or miners moss if i can find it. Have any experience with building sluices? Or can you recommend any miner supply stores nearby?

Also I was curious, I saw your post about purchasing a mining claim. Any luck with that? I've also read about staking your own claim for only a couple hundred dollars but lots of paperwork involved. I'd be interested as to the details of buying a claim as well if you find any

thanks for the advice and info, best of luck out there as well and hope to meet up in the future

Hey! I really loooove Mojave, still a lot of gold there and I like the desolation and freedom. Dry washing is my fav way to mine. You have to try Mojave. A few clubs have good claims there. PCSC, Orange County 49'ers, GPAA ect ect ...

Look up Red Chispas claim on YouTube. That a claim I go to a lot. Found the .75 gram buggy there. Found a lot of fine and flake. Well a lot for me, lol.

Pat Keene has his shop and manufacturing plant in Chatsworth. You can find ANYThING you need there. Prob pricey for a lot of people but I truly do like his quality of products, and if something breaks, Pat will help you to get it fixed. I bought the Keene A52 or its A51, can't remember, it's the larger sluice. I don't mind the weight, I carry junk on my back for a living. It was around 120 bucks, can't remember. Look on ebay and Craigslist as well. I have purchased a fair amount of my gear in those sites for very good pricing.

So u want a claim eh...... I did as well. Tried to buy a claim in eBay but ending up getting shafted Twice. So in done with that. No more EBay for me.. Not for claims at least. This is my opinion only. I have just started to seriously looking on how to stake a claim and bought a few books. TimC is on this site and he has a lot of experience with this. Once u get a handle on this staking a claim thing, I will relay the info to u. Keep this in mind as well, be nice to go halfs with someone in a claim. They are costly unless u stake it.

 

[Aurabbit79er]

I've had no trouble during the week. Animals aren't a problem.It's the weekend war parties.
It has been to say the lest, interesting at times. I posted about a Heaton Flats Holiday weekend that involved a near by camp and a Uzi machine gun, and the Sheriff.
That was maybe 7 years ago.
It seems much better now.
The real problems are when there are people involved.
And You can quote me on that. It is a wilderness area.
I believe in Strong Friendships, A good Big Dog, and a Weapon I can find in the dark.
My Grand Pa Al told me once"Ricky, Let me tell you what gun control is. Gun control is being able to hit your target."

Mellow, The desert is my other favorite place.
It just costs more to get out there.
I have a Keen Dry washer I want to use again sometime before I leave this planet.
And this dredge Prohibition has me thinking how to re-purpose my dredge into something else.

 

[mellowyellow]

Come on out ! Last weekend of November. A bunch of us are going to dry wash for the weekend. If u want details, go to GPAA.net and check out the outings section.

GPAA.net

 

[CT8620]

GH24k - In a pinch, there's a pawn/prospecting business called New Cal Gold that is about 4 miles south of the 39 off ramp on the 210. They have all the basic supplies there and a few sluices. I picked up a Le Trap there before going out to EF one morning and brought a dremel tool and a battery with me an made the river robber mod to it right in the parking lot. Wasn't the cheapest price I've seen on the Le Trap, but not paying a huge shipping charge evened it out. And I had it that day. They have a website ... just the name above with no spaces.

CT

 

[mellowyellow]

I will not go on the weekends unless the whole game shows up. We sometimes go to east fork as an outing. But other than that. No weekends!!!! Can't stand it, makes me sick actually watching these "people" trash the river literally.

I too, always keep my eyes opened for animals and humans, but have had zero problems with either. Up to the people if they want to carry...

 

[GoldHunter24k]

The mining gods were not kind to me this morning went out for a short bike ride and somehow the gears slipped and the bike sent me tumbling to the ground. Messed up my digging hand pretty good and took a good piece of skin off my bad knee. I'm alright but I hope this doesn't get too sore tomorrow and heals up before tuesday. Just my luck :P

I'd love to go out to the Mojave. Ive seen a few videos of some nice big nugs coming out of there. What makes you like drywashing the best? I'll definitely have to stop by the keene plant and pick up some supplies. I wasn't sure if they actually sold stuff there or if it was only manufacturing.

I've heard great things about the Keene sluices but i've also seen LeTrap work wonders. They are almost the same price give or take $20 so which one would you recommend? The keene sluices look like they are cheap to duplicate bu the LeTrap looks like it was specially molded with some interesting grooves that seem to catch the gold quite nicely. Not to mention its only 4lbs. Its a bit pricey for a piece of plastic though..

how much is GPAA membership? Is it worth it?

Thanks for the advice CT8620. How did LeTrap work for you? Have you been able to compare it to other sluices in the field?

wow an Uzi? I'm glad its gotten better! In NH we have real lax gun laws so ive had the opportunity to own a few and I believe that guns are a tool and should be treated that way.

How is the Keene drywasher? Is it true that no motorized equipment is allowed at EF? Does that include a small water pump too? Or is it just no dredging allowed?

 

[CT8620]

Just based on what I've heard, weekends are out of the question for us too. Just seeing the trash and graffiti during the week, especially around the Cattle Creek Bridge area, gives me a clear picture of what it's like on the weekends, so no thanks. I'd probably get my ass stabbed or shot not being able to keep my mouth shut with that going on. Last week Missouri Martin (old timer that's lived up there for 5 years) mentioned to us that he's had a problem with a bear coming around at night trying to raid his camp. So if you're going to camp out it's probably a good idea to have a can of bear strength pepper spray close by, at least. If you're going to hike up to the benches, I've had some pretty stern warnings that there are Mojave Green rattlesnakes up in the hills. We hiked up to "Ike's" bench once, and we won't be doing that again until we're equipped with rattlesnake chaps just to be safe. We didn't see any rattlers, but you've gotta hike through the brush in certain cases and that's just not a good idea unprepared. All we've seen so far are California Striped Racers, which are harmless. Now I have heard some stories of some rather unpredictable "tweakers" working the river way upstream, Bridge to Nowhere and beyond, but haven't personally had any contact, but something else to be aware of.

CT

 

[GoldHunter24k]

Just based on what I've heard, weekends are out of the question for us too. Just seeing the trash and graffiti during the week, especially around the Cattle Creek Bridge area, gives me a clear picture of what it's like on the weekends, so no thanks. I'd probably get my ass stabbed or shot not being able to keep my mouth shut with that going on. Last week Missouri Martin (old timer that's lived up there for 5 years) mentioned to us that he's had a problem with a bear coming around at night trying to raid his camp. So if you're going to camp out it's probably a good idea to have a can of bear strength pepper spray close by, at least. If you're going to hike up to the benches, I've had some pretty stern warnings that there are Mojave Green rattlesnakes up in the hills. We hiked up to "Ike's" bench once, and we won't be doing that again until we're equipped with rattlesnake chaps just to be safe. We didn't see any rattlers, but you've gotta hike through the brush in certain cases and that's just not a good idea unprepared. All we've seen so far are California Striped Racers, which are harmless. Now I have heard some stories of some rather unpredictable "tweakers" working the river way upstream, Bridge to Nowhere and beyond, but haven't personally had any contact, but something else to be aware of.

CT

I'm with you there. I'm all set with going there on the weekends. Id hate for that site to sully the serenity I felt last time I was there. Mojave Rattlers you say? Yikes i better keep my eyes open next time. I figured it would be too cold for them this time of year but ive only spent a few seasons in the CA wilderness so i'm still learning the flora and fauna. I'll keep an eye out for any crazies. Ive heard that there was a homeless problem recently that's why they started cracking down on innocent miners.

 

[CT8620]

GH - Sorry about your crash. Hopefully not bad enough to keep you from getting out.

The Le Trap works great. BUT, you need to do the river robber mod and I did and would strongly recommend you add a support board or two across the top. It flexes like hell when you pick it up for a cleanout without the board, plus with it you get a great handle to pick it up and carry it with and a perfect place to put a rock on to keep in from floating away. It's VERY lightweight and traps ultra fine gold if you classify. No messing with carpets or anything to slow you down. But it is fairly large and won't fit into a backpack.

I also have one of the new super mini bazookas. It's great if you want something small and no classifying is necessary. Being so small it needs less waterflow and fits into some tighter areas which is helpful. But because it's the really small box, you can't run material through it quite as quickly as a full size box. Fits nicely in a backpack for long hikes. I use both all the time.

The most significant advantage I find is that since the Le Trap is a riffle sluice, you can actually see gold flakes accumulate in the top riffles. I can sort of use it to test areas without breaking out a pan, which is slow. The bazooka is a trap sluce, so you've got no idea how you're doing until you clean it out and pan the trappings. So test pans are pretty much a must when running the bazooka. Although, if you have the right waterflow going with the bazooka, it kicks out most of the black sand, whereas the Le Trap keeps ALL the black sand that goes over it, so you've generally got a pan filled with black sand to deal with using the Le Trap and not the case with the bazooka.

Frankly, I'm no expert but I think all the name brand sluices work well and there really isn't one that's better than any other. All have positives and drawbacks. Spend the time finding the right place to dig, THAT makes all the difference, heh heh.

CT

 

[Aurabbit79er]

Goldhunter24K
Sorry to hear about your fall. You can ride the road to the end of Heaton Flats easy enough.
After that Portage over bedrock or ford the river. Tough with just a bike tougher w/gear.

"how much is GPAA membership? Is it worth it?"
It was for me and it is still only $67.50 a year.
GPAA has some good desert claims to work on.
Mine just expired, need to reup.