southern oregon black hole for gold

[kitt]

An acquaintance of mine did some panning along this river close to the oregon coast. They had a pretty good specimen bottle with at least 0.2 grams easy from panning. Wanting to do some panning and sluicing of my own I went straight to Google maps.
Quite a ways up the river I see this black hole where it turns from mid waist walking in the river to an oblivious hole.
Man I wish I could find out what's down there sitting on the bedrock of this hole.
I need to know!

 

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[russau]

A big dredge will let you know whats there!

 

[Hoser John]

Inner tube,with a 3 hp engine and a nice little ol' t-80 and hookah system will easily answer that question. Lotsa luck as ya never can tell what you'll find-John

 

[Oakview2]

If it is a gold bearing river, umpqua or rogue, might be somebodys dredge hole. Worth a look.

 

[delnorter]

Looks like the Smith River here in Del Norte County. If so, try to stay out of obvious site from the road with any mechanization. The gendarme tend to enforce pans and small hand tools only.

Mike

 

[Oregon Viking]

A big dredge will let you know whats there!

It would, but no dredges in that river, or state!

 

[kitt]

Yes it is the smith good guess mate.

You can still dredge in Oregon as long as its not a habitat for salmon

 

[delnorter]

Yes kitt, dredging is allowed in Oregon, but the Smith River that Oregon Viking and I are speaking of, along Highway 199, is, except for the extreme headwaters of the north fork, entirely in California.

Mike

 

[Oregon Viking]

Sure you can still dredge in Oregon....
http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/PERMITS/docs/SB 838 outreach december 2013.pdf

 

[kitt]

I got what your saying. This portion here is in oregon up always from Cali
I only pan and sluice, you still need permits for dredging here, and a dredge is a serious piece of mony.
I'd still like to know what's down there though.
I was trying to find a good place to pan around the smith, but the only place I can find is over an hour drive.

 

[delnorter]

Kitt, the river section you show in the Google Map window is not in Oregon. No part of the Smith River along the Redwood Highway is in Oregon.

I work that section of highway, along the river, for Caltrans, The Ca. Dept. of Transportation. I also have prospected this river for many years. There is good gold, even just panning.

Mike

 

[kitt]

OK your right, it is still CA ha!
How far up would you suggest going? I'd like to check it out and do some panning

 

[delnorter]

Kitt, you will likely find gold panning any of the low water riffles between the small communities of Hiouchi and Gasquet. With the low water you should be able to get to some good spots in the classic type of dropout zones for gold. The water this time of year is not so cold that you couldn't just wear tennis shoes. Might even try sniping the cracks with just a swimsuit.

Good luck,
Mike

 

[M.E.G.]

From the "Wild and Scenic" Rogue River; Ennis Riffle

 

[kitt]

That's some good stuff. Did you find it at the smith?

 

[M.E.G.]

Google Earth Rogue River Ennis Riffle. Find the boat ramp. There's a small island that is well exposed during low water times (such as now) about 200 feet down river, about 80 feet off shore. Google satelite image shows some greenery if one looks close enough. There's been ounces of gold over the years taken from on and around that island. It's a high water gold trap. The water/overburden depth is only 3-4 feet to bedrock.

 

[kitt]

I can try to Google map it. I only have my phone and no computer. Is that around grants pass?

 

[Oregon Viking]

Try Google earth. It's free, it's cool.

 

[kitt]

I love Google earth. But it would make my off brand Walmart android phone explode : )

 

[Oregon Viking]

I love Google earth. But it would make my off brand Walmart android phone explode : )

Use it on your desktop.