Golden Legends Tales of Buried Treasure

 This is a story about one of my gold adventures. I hope you enjoy it. https://letterpile.com/personal-essays/Remarkable-Hamburger-Pickles-Lead-to-Flood-Gold

Before I could afford an aluminum motorized dry washer, I found a small one made of wood that was easy to carry. My routine was to go to prospecting club claims. If I was parked close to a claim, I would dig dirt and walk to my truck to pan. But there were times when I had to travel quite a way to get to the paydirt - dragging a lot of water too on foot (in Arizona) wasn't so easy.  If I found a good little spot with fine gold, frequently I would have to quit before I had dug it all out. In those cases, my little dry washer came in handy. On returning, I would bring the mini dry washer and that usually did the trick. I could dry wash material until there was no sign of fine gold and carry the washed material back to my truck or home for panning. It made things a lot simpler. If I returned to the area I would remember and just carry the little guy with me. Here are some photos. The above mini dry washer weighs 11 pounds. I suggest another site where you can read about a light dry wa...

  Image by  sipa202  from  Pixabay https://sprott.com/insights/sprott-precious-metals-report-2023-top-10-watch-list/  

 I found a great article about  8 rivers in Arizona where gold has been found. An explanation of location is discussed for each of the rivers. Panning for Gold in 8 Arizona Rivers As many may know, Colorado ranks second in the race for gold in the United States  with only California ahead of it. So it is reasonable to expect that with the Colorado river flowing through it, gold can be found  in Arizona and Nevada at the river. The early miners who struck it rich did so at the mouth of the Colorado in the Grand Canyon. One location, Temple Bar on the Colorado River north of the White Hills, provided prospectors with the yellow stuff.  A lucky few folks were able to find coarse gold in the Black Canyon quadrangle  which is near an outer bow of the Colorado River. Notice the area south of Henderson, Nevada. Gold, moderately course, was discovered about 2 miles north of Pyramid Rock. It is claimed that  finely distributed gold in the sand bars opposite El ...

Panning traps are areas where gold is naturally trapped. They are found where the river  water runs rapidly, then when it calms after passing over a small rapid or waterfall it settles.  A narrow canyon provides a place where gold will get hung up - the water calms before entering a valley that is wider.  When this happens, the heavy minerals will be the first to settle out.  Small tranquil pools with heavy mineral concentrations are often found below little rapids. These are the best places to begin prospecting. Check this article out.  Where to Pan for Gold: Tips for the Amateur Prospector From a “Pro” - HobbyLark

This is just a heads up for anyone prospecting for gold in Arizona. Today I was out scouring the desert and ran across (no I didn't run over him/it/she) a bull snake. The photo I took wasn't saved to my cell phone? But it was the second huge bull snake lying across a dirt road this month sunning itself with its tongue wagging as I approached.  Usually the snakes seem to end hybernating by sometime in March (my observation).  This is the second huge bull snake I have come across this month (June). I suspect that rattlers are also coming out of their holes.  It is my belief that these critters are confused about the mild spring we have had in Arizona. And if the bulls are confused, maybe the rattle snakes are also? Anyway, my advice is to be on the lookout for Mr. Rattler, make noise as you walk through the desert, and if possible, wear snake guards. Good luck on your adventures!

 Here is a news update on all of the fast-running water in California gold country for 2023. This is quite a motivational video. Check it out. https://youtu.be/3ExRKbOeI0U