Prospecting bench placers

[KevinInColorado]

My latest website article
(deleted by mod for rule violation)

Of course I’d love any constructive (or sarcastic) feedback so I can make it better ...or at least inspire some humor to my fellow prospectors

 

[RTD-Tech]

Why is it called a "bench"?

Also, there is a place near where I live that kind of fits the description, only when the river is VERY high it is shallowly submerged. I have found gold near there, would this be a place that might have old gold? Or would I have to dig the 20+- feet down to bedrock to find anything?

 

[spillercanyon]

Good point! There was quite a bit of drift mining done on a bench Placer just south of where I used to live. I left it out because I didn’t want to have to go though all the safety issues associated with burrowing into a hillside that way. I know of two people in Colorado who have did by digging coyote holes into a bench Placer as they followed a pay layer. Yikes!

Not the first time I have provided too much information. It took 20 years but my previous boss figured out not to as me my opinion unless he wanted a very honest, thorough opinion. Love what you're doing out there Kevin, look forward to seeing some more.

 

[arizau]

Why is it called a "bench"?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bench_(geology). A bench may have remnants of an ancient river channel that is possibly gold bearing (a placer) on it. Look high for river rounded rocks that are out of place. Drainages that cut through the ancient channels may also be gold bearing.

 

[UncleMatt]

Loved the article! I just wish my favorite stomping grounds in the high country had not fallen prey to glaciers, which scrubbed away any such bench placers.