How Far To The Gold?

December 2021 by Chris Ralph

…in spite of the fact that the well-pounded spots probably don’t have much gold left, I see all too many prospectors hike down to a creek or other spot at the first place the road comes near it just because it’s the easiest access point.

Feather River Gold

February 2017
I didn’t think too much of our dredge hole and we were both considering a move when we hit bedrock. There was a good quantity of flakes and fines, but no nuggets.

Hunches, Choices and Guesses

September 2013
When you approach a location, even if you've been there before, you should consider all the factors and conditions present at the site. This includes both natural and man-made factors.

Gold From Black Sand Tailings

October 2011
The pile up on the small hill had to be a couple yards of black sand. I’m not one to ignore a little gold even if it is small in size—I have always believed that gold fever comes in all sizes.

Detecting at the Sixteen to One Mine

December 2012
A while back I was given a very special opportunity to take my metal detector to one of the most famous gold mines in all of California, the Original Sixteen to One mine in Alleghany.

Ask The Experts

March 2016
Can a metal detector be used to find limonitic gossan material?

Still Gold in Humbug, Arizona

August 2012
Has anyone made it through childhood, or even adulthood, without at least one dream of finding gold or buried treasure? It is the stuff of daydreams—the kindling for the flame of hope. We so long for it that we eagerly accept stories and maps from friends and strangers alike that promise us fame and fortune.

A Return to Silver City, Idaho

July 2014
...we were able to pull out close to another 3+ ounces of small, angular Silver City gold. This also included several more small nuggets, pieces of wire gold and some quartz-gold pieces—not bad for 4 days with a small sluice.

Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill   • Ask The Experts - Will a rare earth magnet work for finding gold deposits?   • Ask The Experts - Any at home tests for platinum/palladium?   • Ask The Experts - Should I use headphones or go without?   • Residual Placers: An Often Overlooked Gold Source   • USFS OKs Exploratory Drilling in Eastern Idaho   • Gold Basin & Mass Wasting   • Gold Prospecting for Better or Worse: Warm Buttocks and Frozen Assets   • The Joys of Desert Prospecting   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices

Free:
Legislative and Regulatory Update   • A Short History of Hydraulic Mining in California   • An Early Christmas Gift   • PLP Update