Remote prospecting

[MadMarshall]

Having spent several years prospecting on the NF American river and not even close to seeing it all, I still get suprised by the amount of people I see digging so close to the parking area or right at the bottom of the trail. Every year same hole different people, It's always a nice easy place to throw in the sluice don't have to walk far and they will break their back digging for hours.. Every once in a while I'll take the time and engage in conversation and listen to some of the gold gossip most are eager to show their gold, and it's the same thing every time alot of hard work for little return.. Prospecting is hiking I don't care where you are if you are by some road or trail access then you are already in the wrong spot. One of my favorite places on the NF American River is accessed by Steven's Trail an 7.5 mile round trip trail, and even after that a prospector must hike some more. It's not uncommon for me to spend the majority of my day hiking. And I rarely do less than a pennyweight a day just panning.(mind you It took some persistance and a whole lot of day's/months with an empty snuffer) But now I would be horrified it I went out and got less then a gram. There is plenty of gold out there!! But for anyone who wants to find some good gold I'm afraid you will have to walk a ways to get it and maybe even farther if your in my neck of the woods..

 

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[Reed Lukens]

Nice videos, I subscribed. The first looks like down stream from Ponderosa & the second could be any number of places but I'm going to guess below Yankee Jims even though I'm sure that it's probably above Penny Weight I haven't been down Steven's in years & your pan on the American is why I switched back to steel for that river some 20 years ago hehe. Seems like anywhere I would drop a plastic pan, even if I just slipped for a second on that river, the pan would hit that only rock in the area that could break it... This pic is on the North Fork also so this is one for you to guess

 

[Hoser John]

Ifn' ya wanta see some righteous pics Reed just go to Bpkr63 Herbs posts as he's a mountain goat and knows that country better than anyone I ever met and posts fantastic pics here for years also-John just look under sluicing forum and best finds thread and heaven is there in Herbs pics

 

[Oakview2]

View attachment 720412
Nice videos, I subscribed. The first looks like down stream from Ponderosa & the second could be any number of places but I'm going to guess below Yankee Jims even though I'm sure that it's probably above Penny Weight I haven't been down Steven's in years & your pan on the American is why I switched back to steel for that river some 20 years ago hehe. Seems like anywhere I would drop a plastic pan, even if I just slipped for a second on that river, the pan would hit that only rock in the area that could break it... This pic is on the North Fork also so this is one for you to guess

Haven't seen one of your posts since the Miner Mikes forum shut down. Will nver forget your videos of the dredging and highbanking and excavation of the old sluicebox of a hydraulic operation, I believe in or around Forestal??.. Great chronicle over several seasons and finally mothernature reclaimed it all. Good health and good hunting..

 

[Vance in AK]

Nice videos MadMarshall, & the same principles hold true on the road system in Alaska.

Reed, nice to see you posting. I too have really enjoyed your videos in the past.

 

[Fullpan]

Yes, MM - I've posted posted here before - "the farther from the bridges, the better the gold"

Hey Reed, whatcha been up to lately?

 

[MadMarshall]

View attachment 720412
Nice videos, I subscribed. The first looks like down stream from Ponderosa & the second could be any number of places but I'm going to guess below Yankee Jims even though I'm sure that it's probably above Penny Weight I haven't been down Steven's in years & your pan on the American is why I switched back to steel for that river some 20 years ago hehe. Seems like anywhere I would drop a plastic pan, even if I just slipped for a second on that river, the pan would hit that only rock in the area that could break it... This pic is on the North Fork also so this is one for you to guess

I apreaciate it I just recently started somewhat documenting my activities. Anyway as of late all these vids were taken up river of Iowa hill in wild and scenic territory. I spend maybe two day a week at yankee jims when my father goes with me his age prevents long walks but he loves the gold so I make sure we head out at least a few days every week.

 

[MadMarshall]

Headed out again today with the intention to actually work an area I had prospected pretty much same area as other vids, and I really can't say how much I got but I'm really pissed. Now I have to hike in the big sledge and really put in some work. All I can say is thank god for all you prospectors tweaking your machines and getting your hands greasy buildin your gadgets and what not.. no time for ya to get out to actually look for it..

 

[MadMarshall]

Oh yea Reed, about your pic I stopped guessing years ago.....

 

[Reed Lukens]

Thanks John I'll check it out for sure.

 

[Fullpan]

When I was alone in remote places like that on SF Yuba, I swear to God I could hear the voices of the old-timers faintly echoing up and down the canyon.
BTW, think its a 10,000 fine for smoking(per cigarette!) - see Fish and Game Code 5653(a)para5.

 

[Reed Lukens]

Shoveling snow this week, hehe, then some detecting along with a little hard rock mining starting up since the snow hit. Been getting decent gold out of quartz lately, so I'm getting ready to go full out hard rocking this year if everything works. I'm heading back up to Idaho for a bit to dredge with Gene & then we'll be crushing rock after that if it all goes as planned.

 

[Reed Lukens]

Actually these are my first posts since that forum went down... lol. I don't have time for a bunch of forums, so I watched & looked at a few here & there. I chose this one because it hits on everything that I'm doing these days, has a great format, and I see all kinds of familiar faces

 

[MadMarshall]

When I was alone in remote places like that on SF Yuba, I swear to God I could hear the voices of the old-timers faintly echoing up and down the canyon.
BTW, think its a 10,000 fine for smoking(per cigarette!) - see Fish and Game Code 5653(a)para5.

Ya about those cigarettes' fish and game/blm/ ect ect have a lot of codes to bad they don't have any common sense and rarely visit the lands unless to pick up the parking fees But thanks for the info I don't really pay much mind to those folks. Good to know nothing's changed.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Nice videos Marshall.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[wa-au-nut]

Reed I have missed seeing you post also. Being up he in wa. cold and wet, I dream of something besides 38 and raining.LOL
Marshall wish I could hike back in places like that, alas 40 yrs of smoking got me. COPD and throat cancer and slight stroke. That tends to slow ya down some. I ain't even smart enough to quit. but at 60 i say screw it and stay in the easy areas now. Used to be a mt. goat. But Chemo and crap to a out outa me. But I have Pishfart and his brother to help me get to some places I can make it to. John

 

[MadMarshall]

just another day at the river my brother came along he happened to be on the gold me not so much but we also differ in are style's of prospecting.. sometimes It's easy to get tunnel vision anyway another pretty day getting more and more icy on the river makes walking a little difficult.

 

[Fullpan]

One crack down (guessing about 15-20 dollars) nine billion cracks to go - let's see, doing the math, hmm, about a Gazzilion dollars of gold still out there!