Gold Grubbin' Community

Search Sort Posts:  Oldest to newest Newest to oldest

07-01-2007, 7:33 AM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Greetings Gold Grubbers, Just returned from my annual trip to the central Colorado Rocky Mountains area. I have a home in Chaffee County in the heart of the "CMB', a.k.a. the Colorado Mineral Belt. Between days spent retiling a bathroom in my house I had a great chance to fish/prospect. Here's a run down: Day 1: Flew into C. Springs early on 18 June. Blasted 92 miles over to Buena Vista, known to the locals as "BV", and checked into my cheap hotel. Since I couldn't get into the house until the next day to start work...what to do? Sluice!! Loaded up my equipment and drove north towards Leadville, and turned off Hwy 24 at Granite, CO, and proceeded up to the Cache Creek area. This is where I went mostly last year prospecting. This area was the site of placer mining from 1859 to 1910 when they finally outlawed hydraulic mining in CO. Got to the stream, set up and was ready to start processing gravel/sand/dirt at 3 PM. I decided once again to work the bottom of the stream bed in the dry gulch just to the South of where I set up. I didn't want to lug buckets of dirt any farther than I had to...Last year I found some fine flour/specks/small flakes there...figured I didn't get it all and we'd had another year of rains and thunder showers to wash more gold for me to find into the crumbly decomposing granite bedrock. Right? Well, between 3 PM and 8 PM I dug, threw rocks and generally swept the bedrock with my assortment of brushes, wanting to get the deepest I could into each crack, crevice and gold holding point. The sun would not set until about 9 PM with the longest day of the year just a few days away. My Keene 16 inch crevice tool was the cat's meow. It was amazingly strong and allowed me to tear up the dirt and get into areas I could never go with a larger shovel or hand broom. Buy one! At about $7.99 plus S/H it's a steal and easy on the hands to use. The weather was hot (about 88-90 degrees) and clear and the sun was a scorcher at 9,500 elevation. Plus the setting sun in the West reflected off the stream into my face most of the day. I used a bandana to protect my ears and neck, slathered up with ultimate sun block so I looked like a snow man and worked on...guzzling water from my 4 water bottles. Glad I knew to pack in lots of water, which I kept nicely cool in the creek. I was using my new "Wolf Trap" sluice, as I left my "Le Trap" sluice home this year, as I needed one short enough to fit into a large 2 foot+ suitcase. The maker said "run it fast, use the high speed riffles, and just shovel it all in the front as fast as you can...the rocks will run thru and the gold will fall into the 1/2 inch dead space in the bottom". The promise here was to avoid time consuming classifification/screening procedures before sluicing. So, I dug dirt like a mad man...carrying and feeding 2 gallon bucket of material after bucket in machine-like fashion. I ran about 10 buckets in 1 1/2 hrs and decided I had the sluice completely packed with black sand/gravel. Cleaned up. Saw one small flake in the sands as I washed it out, so I knew I wasn't skunked! As the sun started sinking behind La Plata Peak at 14,336 feet, I decided to clean up and go. I was tired by then. I classified the cons from my 4 clean ups with a 1/8 inch screen and panned out the larger material -- dang, no nuggets. This area is known mainly for very fine flour type gold, with even pickers being a rare treat, so, not totally unexpected I was zero balance on a nugget my first day. I found numerous old rusted square nails and several lead bullets. This old me I was in the right areas for gold. I did a quick panning of several handfuls of black sand cons and saw numerous small specks/flecks in there, so I was happy as a clam! Hiking back up out of that canyon to the car was a heart pounding experience, carrying my backpack full of implements, my sluice, my folding chair, my tub &, my bucket with about 15 lbs of cons. Knew that thin air would get me, and it did. :) Days 2, 3 and 4: This was the second week of my BV stay. The tile project had some unexpected twists and turns, but now I was into the mandatory waiting cure periods between tiling, grouting and curing for final sealing. So, each of my 3 days left I flyfished from about noon to 3 or 4 PM, and blasted to Cache Creek to sluice late in the day until 8 - 8:30PM. Reason? I learned on Day 1 that about this time the shadows fell in the dry gulch and I avoided 1/2 the time out in the bright/scorching sun. The weather heated up to about 90 each afternoon, and it was plain dry. I chugged water on every other trip to/from the gulch to avoid dehydration in the hot, low humidity air. The last 2 days I had several thunderstorms build up late in the day from the uplife of La Plata Peak and got to hear some REAL loud thunder, real close above my head. No rain, but the clouds sure looked black/menacing above me! My prospecting battle plan was to go deep, scrub, scrape & clean the bedrock in every shallow place I could find in that gulch. Each day I worked a different/promising area. I used my hand brushes and that amazing Keene crevice tool to root out gravel below large rocks, in cracks and generally go where (I hoped) man had never gone before. After seening gold flecks on Day 1, I decided to not waste time panning out each days cons, but rather go for absolute volume -- and take home my cons to process after the fact. This opportunity to sluice on Cache Creek was just amazing to me. I got to see so much animal life during my hours on the creek...dozens of violet-green swallows flying above me all afternoon, several red tailed hawks watching my every move, stunningly blue mountain blue birds catching insects, a cooper's hawk slooping fast/low over me heading down the canyon searching for prey and my 3 pet brown trout. These 3 trout ( 6 inch, and two 4 inch) were living in the pool above my sluice. Each afternoon and evening I watch them rise and catch bugs on the surface or often by doing crazy mid air antics, like back flips and such. They seemed totally unafraid of me, often holding just 2 or 3 feet away, feeding. This is just one of the neat outdoors benefits, as the locale was so beautiful and picturesque. I enjoyed every minute... Surprise of the trip. The surprise was the night I packed up late to then fly out of C. Springs the next morning (29 June) I realized I had a HUGE collection of ziplock bags of cons built up on the floor! I had not really appreciated, all added up, how much this stuff weighed. This black sand is primarily magnitite, and manis it dense/heavy. I loaded it all into my little backpack, planning on carrying it on the jet as a carry-on, but could hardly lift it!! What to do?? Both my suitcases were already max'd at about 50 lbs each (with tiling project tools and my fishing/prospecting equipment) and I could not pan it with so little time. I decided to classify it down one size using my smallest screen there in the room and reduce the weight by removing useless rocks/gravel as much as possible. So, I filled my tub with water, set in front of the TV, and slowly screened each ziplock bag removing the larger (above 1/8 inch) rocks/material. After about 1 hour I had all the cons back into their double ziplock bags, removing an estimated 15 - 20 lbs of weight. I panned this to see if by chance there were any pickers/nuggets. Nada. I reloaded up my backpack, which I could now lift more easily, but not easily. When I got home I weighed the cons and saw they totalled 55 pounds! Yes, the TSA security folks were very interested in my 55 lbs of black sand cons, as their X-ray maching could not see through it. So, I got the benefit of a "special" screening by two TSA agents. Once they saw it was only dirt, and not some form of explosive, they were quite interested in my prospecting adventure, asking me where I went, how hard was it to find gold, etc., etc. I told them where to go and all, and in joining one of the local prospector organizations like the GPAA, LDMA and Colorado prospectors club. We parted ways in a friendly manner, imagine that... In summary, my annual trip to Colorado was very, very rewarding. I worked real hard on the house and in having fun. I got the bathroom retiled (my excuse for going), got to flyfish several partial days (with great success on the browns, rainbows and cutthroats) and got to spend many glorious hours playing hard on Cache Creek sluicing with my new Wolf Trap sluice. I Green Bowled up one bag of cons last night, and then panned out one big pan of material. I found lots of small specks/flecks of gold, 3 small pieces of lead and am totally happy so far. It will take me a LONG time to get thru those cons! After last night, I now plan to dry them, then use a large magnet to remove the copious amounts of magnitite, and then try to Green Bowl them slowly before panning. These black sands are the heaviest I have every dealt with, and the fine gold will hardly settle to the bottom of the pan! Wish me luck, and some day I will try to post a final "tally" picture of my results. I will post some pics on the Forum here real soon and will also post a equipment report too on the wolf Trap sluice after I get a senes of how much fine gold it really trapped for me. Happy prospecting everyone! Randy a.k.a. C-17A    Report

07-01-2007, 7:50 AM faaus Joined on 06-29-2006 Kentucky Posts 441 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Thanks for that excellent trip report!  It's rare to find such reports, where the reader really feels like he is along on the trip, but yours have that quality. Glad you had fun! Heavy Pans, faaus In the Land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.    Report

07-01-2007, 7:53 AM Herschel Joined on 01-30-2006 Monterey, Louisiana Posts 3,149 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Great to hear from you Randy. Glad you had a great trip. I really enjoy your reports. Herschel "Chief Instigator" Stop "Poly-Ticks" in Washington!! (definitian) Poly: many Ticks: blood suckin' insects    Report

07-01-2007, 9:44 AM twig/al Joined on 01-24-2006 Gadsden, Alabama Posts 4,627 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 C-17A, Great story!!! Makes me wish I had been there.... twig/al Alabama Prospecting Supply www.alabamaprospectingsupply.com Email: tom@alabamaprospectingsupply.com Southeast Treasure Hunters Forum www.southeasttreasurehunters.com    Report

07-01-2007, 12:40 PM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 GoldGrubbers, Finally got the server to allow me to post the matching pics. I selected 5 that tell the story best. Enjoy!! Randy    Report

07-01-2007, 12:51 PM GasCan/SW-GA Joined on 01-25-2006 Summerville, Ga Posts 654 Re: 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Great report and story, and the pictures are outstanding, but the GOLD is the icing on the cake!!!! Waiting for the "Rest of the Story"!!! GasCan/NW-GA, Formerly SW-GA    Report

07-03-2007, 6:24 AM admin Joined on 01-02-2006 Valdosta GA Posts 923 Re: 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Fantastic Story Randy!  I bet you can't wait to retire there and get to operate a small dredge in those hills, Brian Keeper of the Gold Grubbin' Nut House For Gold panning Concentrates go to http://www.goldgrubbin.com/wst_page5.php    Report

07-03-2007, 7:19 AM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Re: 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Brian, Yep.......I really, really enjoyed the views, fresh air and out-of-doors opportunities in the Colorado Rockies near my home.  I have seriously considered doing a part-time job offering summer vacationers/tourists a chance to go "prospecting" for a nominal fee......of course  :)  I'd like to guide flyfishing too on the local creeks and streams and high mountain lakes. There's so much gold mining history around that area (Granite, St. Elmo, Leadville, Monarch, etc.), and Buena Vista (BV) holds an annual Gold Rush Days event in the first week of August every year.  Lots of folks come to the BV area to hike, mountain bike, white water raft, flyfish, etc.,.....why not do a little gold panning/prospecting too?? Someone once said ......"Find a job doing what you love and you'll never work another day in your life".  I like that saying. Yes:  A small backpacker type dredge or a light-weight/portable highbanker/dredge combo would be perfect for all the small creeks.  A drywasher would be good too for all the dry areas, and there are a lot of them as well, as it is so dry most of the year there.  I really need to build my own gas powered vacuum to suck the crevases and bedrock cleaner than I could do with a brush in the gulches and bry washes. When I get there in a few years for good, come out with Jill and I'll show you around the area! Randy    Report

07-04-2007, 5:04 AM Buck Joined on 01-28-2006 Oklahoma Posts 438 Re: 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Randy I always enjoy your stories of your prospecting.  Dont know when I will be back up that way .  But you telling about your adventure's  sure make the fever get worked up.  Buck Be sure your right, Then go ahead...Davy Crockett    Report

07-04-2007, 2:52 PM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Re: 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Thanks Buck, I try to make my stories worth while and capture the flavor of the adventure... Lots of great places to prospect in Colorado! Randy    Report

07-04-2007, 6:32 PM rimmshot Joined on 01-23-2007 Posts 4 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Hey Randy If the gold panning doesn't work out, you can go into business writing short stories about the prospecting adventures of a weekend gold warrior. Great story!! I'll post one about my inaugrual voyage of my new Le Trap Sluice on the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River. Steve    Report

07-05-2007, 6:13 AM Buck Joined on 01-28-2006 Oklahoma Posts 438 Re: 5 Pictures Now Posted -- Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Randy The last time I was prospecting in Colorado was June 2004 on the Arkansas River at the GPAA claims.  I was there 5 days camping.  If I can swing it I might try to go back to colorado in August.  Wayne Peterson is having a big trip On the Little Georiga claim south of Silverton.  Bunch of the differant clubs are haveing a get togather starting the 9th of August.  I have another place I want to go myself that is North west of the silverton claim.  Never been there but I hear they get some good gold there.  Buck Be sure your right, Then go ahead...Davy Crockett    Report

07-05-2007, 4:05 PM WILL-D Joined on 07-06-2006 ROCK HILL, S.C. Posts 134 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Randy thanks for another good story. WILL-D Have shovel, WILL-Dig    Report

07-06-2007, 11:37 AM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Rimmshot, Welcome back from your trip!  Hope you had a blast getting to use your brand new "Le Trap" sluice for the first time.  What a great place....the Mother Load country in the Sierra Nevadas.  Wish I was there with you!! I charge you to get in there and tell us all just how it was......with passion and detail............I want to feel like I was straining to turn over large rocks with you, shovel and classify gravel and see those glints of gold in the pan just like you experienced.  It's all about the "adventure" that makes it universal for us all......    Find any GOLD?? Be sure to post a few pics, if you have any, to illustrate the trip.  They are worth WAY more than a 1,000 words! C-17A    Report

07-06-2007, 7:22 PM faaus Joined on 06-29-2006 Kentucky Posts 441 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Have you worked your way through any more of the cons yet Randy? I hope you'll keep us appraised as to how the rest pan out. Thanks,   In the Land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.    Report

07-07-2007, 5:16 AM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Faaus, Well, I have been trying to do just that...but on the verge of a move to Rhode Island....which is slowing me down. I have dried/classified it all now and am using a large magnet to remove what appears to be about 1/2 of the material as magnitite. Very dark, dense, heavy. My Green Bowl is still set up, so may try to get to some of the smaller stuff tonight. I did find one nice little flake in the 1/8 inch stuff I screened off several days ago. Other than that, it all must be real fine, that which is in the cons anyways. Hope to post soon! Randy    Report

07-09-2007, 6:33 AM faaus Joined on 06-29-2006 Kentucky Posts 441 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Hey Buddy, I'm just tickled that you found gold! Hope your move goes well. Heavy Pans, faaus In the Land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.    Report

07-14-2007, 7:21 AM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Faaus & everyone, Well, all packed up and out of the house in a hotel. Drive out of Illinois for Rhode Island O'Dark Thirty Monday. Off line now, using the hotel computer. Hope to be back up w/i a week or two. Will stop by and visit Jim in upstate New York on the way for a little prospecting!! God bless. Randy    Report

07-14-2007, 10:26 AM navydoc Joined on 01-25-2006 Jacksonville, N.C. Posts 1,466 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 Prayers for a safe trip and successful move. 'doc One shot....One Kill! 'nough said.    Report

07-14-2007, 5:37 PM twig/al Joined on 01-24-2006 Gadsden, Alabama Posts 4,627 Re: Colorado Gold Trip # 2: 18 - 28 Jun 07 C-17A, Have a safe and speedy trip... twig/al Alabama Prospecting Supply www.alabamaprospectingsupply.com Email: tom@alabamaprospectingsupply.com Southeast Treasure Hunters Forum www.southeasttreasurehunters.com    Report

08-11-2007, 7:24 PM C-17A Joined on 01-30-2006 Posts 375 Wolf Trap Sluice Report & Gold Picture Posted