Stoneside:
If you haven't done so already; go to the KGC section and read everything there AND save all website links given by posters to study at some leasure time. You'll quickly be able to see who are serious researchers and searchers and who are naysayers and trolls. If you choose to put the naysayers and trolls on your "Ignore" list, you'll be better able to read the posts without distraction.
SOMETIMES it pays to read naysayers comments as a balance to your research, but they often do more to UPSET that balance than any help they might give.
I haven't been on the KGC section lately, but 2 of the people who seem to have a lot of experience are Texas Jay and Rebel-KGC. I will now add Hoss to that list as he's posted some straightforward and honest evaluations.
Build up a file on the known KGC symbols and codes and copies of posted photos illustrating code trees others have found. After you get started on your project, never, never, never move any symbolic items you may dig up during your trail tracking. Be very careful and leave them in position and laying just as they are uncovered. Do not move them in any way, shape, or form. Study them and then RECOVER them. You might need to come back to it later for more study.
Lastly, be very careful of who you trust with your info in the area where you live. Many folks believe, and I'm one of them, that there are still Sentinels at work today.