Pre-Season Exploration And Prospecting Trip

Old Trapline Cabin On Our Claim

The Granite Creek area is one of my favorite areas to prospect. The many creeks and rivers in the area are rich in history and the scenery and wildlife are absolutely spectacular.

And yes, that’s a 12 gauge she’s packing.

The cabin is in desperate need of a new roof. However, the previous claim owner wired it for a generator.

No shortage of firewood here.

Somebody has a sense of humor. Bottom sign reads “MY X WIFE’S BOYFRIEND”. The upper sign reads “X WIFE”. This is a popular spot for ATV’ers and there are trails all through the area.

Arrastra Creek

Arrastra Creek Where It Meets With Granite Creek

Someone potted this hole in the bank about 3 feet deep. I’m sure they didn’t find much. The gold is deeper than that, below the clay and smaller gravels into bedrock.

Did a few test pans and found thirty or forty small pieces of flood gold. This trip was more of a reconnaissance trip to plan for the up-coming season. I have made many trips into this area over the years, and it still gives me an eerie feeling every time. Maybe it’s the history, or maybe all the ghost stories, but I can tell you that at night there is an  absolute dead silence. No trains, no cars, no lights, just dead silence. Oh, and no cell service either! Can’t wait for the season to start.