Mother Lode Camping

After cleaning out the sluice box and panning the concentrates I found that in those two half buckets of gravel I had found almost as much gold as I ended up with in the rest of the three days. More digging in the area where I had gotten the gravel failed to bring the same results. I had found a small hot spot. At least I have had the experience of finding a hot spot. Many people have never had that luck.

The last day I decided that I would continue digging in my old hole. The previous night I had left some of my equipment in the hole and prospector courtesy reserved it for me. I found more gold but not as much as the day before. It was still great and in the late afternoon I was worn out from the two previous days digging and decided to quit. I needed to take a bath in the river to get cleaned up for my trip back to Colorado. After putting on my swim suit, I decided to swim to the other side again. Selecting another place to cross, I jumped in and swam across. Once again I was carried downstream about 100' before I reached the other side. Now I understood why white water rafters had enjoyed this stretch of the river each day. The white water behind the prospector standing in the middle of the picture is the crossing area where the two trips back and forth to the other side was made.

As I explored the other side of the river, I wished that I had my sluice and equipment. This side didn't even show any footprints, much less dug up places. Bedrock extended to the edge of the river and there were virgin gravel bars everywhere. All of a sudden I saw a flash of light. About four feet above the gravel the sun was glinting off of a piece of gold wedged in a crack. After close examination I could see that it appeared to be about 1/8" in size. At least what I could see. How big was the hidden part? Having swam the river to get there I had no tools or even anything to put it in if I could retrieve it. Not willing to leave it for someone else, I once more jumped in the river and swam back to get something to get it out of the crack with and something to put it in.

Rummaging through my equipment I found an empty 35mm film canister (you would never guess that I would have one of those) and a screwdriver ,I stood there puzzling where to put the tools that they would be secure during the trip back across the river. The film canister would fit in my swim suit pocket but the screwdriver might fall out. I really wasn't worried about loosing the screwdriver but I didn't like swimming the river well enough to have to make an extra round trip if I lost it. All of the prospectors on the bank already thought I was nuts swimming in the cold and swift water. Finally, a roll of electrical tape solved the problem. With several wraps I taped the screwdriver to my left forearm.

Jumping into the river I swam across for the second time. This time I only got swept down the river about 75 feet. I guess practice makes perfect. Anxiously walking back down the gravel bar to the gold, I was mentally adding up my fortune. There was only one big problem. I couldn't find it again. I was so excited the first time that I assumed I could walk right back to it. Boy was that a mistake. The next time I find something I will erect a billboard to help me find the right spot again. I think know how a prospector must feel when he can't find his mine again. After about an hour of looking, (I was determined not to give up), I found it. It was only a large flake. It had it's largest size exposed. Still, that was the easiest piece of gold that I have ever found. Jumping back into the water I swam the river for the last time.

The Valley prospectors claim covers all of the river through the campground. Two Valley prospector dredgers did quite well less than 30 feet from this spot. My thanks to them for the rope that they left with me when they left. It has been put to work in Colorado many times this year and I hope to return it to them next year when I can dredge in a neighboring spot with my dredge as a Valley member also.

The campground camping spots are located adjacent to the river and in large trees. Facillities include fire rings, picnic tables, drinking water, and restrooms. The river and gravel bars are a short stones throw from the sites.

After a bath in the river, (most of the other prospectors thought I was crazy in what they called "The cold water". They hadn't seen my winter dredging pictures. If they had, there would be no question left in their mind about my sanity), I joined another pair of prospectors and we drank a cold one. Or two. Or three. Good thing I had made a trip to Downieville for drinks! The more beers we drank, the better smoked turkey sounded for supper. Just because we were camping out in the wilds of the high sierra's didn't mean meals have to be primitive. Firing up the smoker we put on an 18 pound turkey and sat around the camp fire listening to the sound of the river drinking and discussing what a great life this was as we waited for the turkey to cook. What a way to end a fantastic vacation. Great gold, great food, great drink, and fantastic companionship. Life could get no better. Invitations were extended to stay on and do more prospecting but I was unable to stay. Plans were made and addresses were exchanged for next year. Now the only thing left to do is eagerly wait until next year.

Request more information from:

Valley Prospectors
P.O. Box 2923
San Bernadino, Ca.
92406

Please tell them "The Golden Optimist" sent you.

For two more great Mother Lode Prospecting stories stop by Dave Nickerson's home page.

Another Downieville prospecting on the Mother Lode Story

A 1997 GPAA Mother Lode Expedition story and pictures.

Return to Golden Optimist Main Menu