Close to home

Since my hot spot on the Clearwater River is underwater, Butch and I ventured up the road about 25 miles and rode the 4 wheelers another 2 miles up a small mountain creek. The water level was insufficient to even run a small Tee Dee Easy Sluice so it was hand panning only. We were digging a spot where decomposed granite was exposed just above the water level. It was slow going and the rewards were few and far between. Sometimes we would work 3 pans before getting a single spec of color. Other times a pan would show 4 or 5 pieces. The gold we did recover showed 3 dimensions as opposed to the super flat Clearwater flood gold we're used to. One piece showed a piece of quartz attached when viewed under a 20x loupe.

Based on the results of our efforts, the next trip up this small mountain creek will find us further upstream in pursuit of the larger color. With luck, we'll find a spot where the decomposed granite bedrock is not 8 feet deep. Stay tuned...

(click any pic for a larger view)