Colorado -- Prospecting in Downtown Denver

I only need a couple of inches of water going through the sluice at most. The biggest problem I run into is that I need at least 5 degrees sluice angle to get the mats really active(to my liking) and to get the bigger rocks rolling down the sluice. So I usually end up hunting for a nice drop in the stream not water depth. If someone were to make a sluice about 6 inches wide and 30 inches long with the same matting it would be a lot easier to set up in small creeks than my 9inx48in sluice.

NFREYTAG wrote:I only need a couple of inches of water going through the sluice at most. The biggest problem I run into is that I need at least 5 degrees sluice angle to get the mats really active(to my liking) and to get the bigger rocks rolling down the sluice. So I usually end up hunting for a nice drop in the stream not water depth. If someone were to make a sluice about 6 inches wide and 30 inches long with the same matting it would be a lot easier to set up in small creeks than my 9inx48in sluice.

Most of the small creeks in Denver only have a few inches of water in them. So to get a drop, you basically have to build a small dam. That will get you 3-5 inches of drop. Still, I had to push larger rocks off the grizzly on my 30" Sniper. So, yes, you probably need a shorter sluice to get a 5 degree drop with a 4 ft sluice in the smaller creeks.

I have a picture of the gold I got in Metro Denver, but cannot get the forum to look at my computer to select the image. Sigh.

Dave:

You have to post the photo to a hosting site (Photobucket) then download the img file to the forum. You are past the 7 day wait time so you should have no problem posting images to the forum.

Stay warm.

Dickb

Dave,

Here's a few more pics of me there on Clear Creek from February 2010 with Leonard and the gang...under the Hwy 36 overpass:






Like Dickb said............upload your pics to a free photo hosting service, like Photobucket, then copy/paste the full size image code, not a thumbnail image code size, and simply paste it into the post and it will automatically link back to your web hosting service and the picture will magically "appear".

It will probably be long............look something like this:

URL=https://s570.photobucket.com/user/C-17A/media/Colorado%20Gold%20Adventure%20--%20Feb%202010/013.jpg.html][/URL

Randy C-17A

NFREYTAG wrote:You're right about the water needs of GoldHog mats. I use razorback and downdraft matting in the stream sluice so it does okay with slower water. It would do a lot better if I had a flare on it instead of building a rock dam. I'll let you know next time I'm heading out.

I also use GoldHog mats on my stream sluice, but since I built it I made it smaller 7" wide and about 40" long. When I was up at Cache Creek I was able to get plenty of flow over it, but I was able to get about a 6ish degree drop which really helped. I planning on making a pretty decent flare for the next time I go out, I think that will allow me to get away with a lower pitch if I cannot find the drop I need. While I have little to compare to I did not find anything in my last 3 sections of matting so I call that a win. Had some bigger pieces in the first 'riffles' and a lot of minus 100 pieces over the next two mats.

dickb wrote:Hi Dave:

Glad you made it back to the new forum. Hope this year brings you lots of yella in your pan.

dickb

Thanks, dickb; I still have trouble getting on. I probably don't have the best link.

How is your grandson doing? Still planning to come to the Air Force Academy?

NFREYTAG wrote:I'm a master mechanic at Kuni Lexus of Greenwood Village. I'm at work from 7-5:30 PM 5 days a week.  My wife and three young kids keep me busy on the weekends but occasionally I can get away for half a day to find some gold. That is why I need time in advance to plan for trips and get the wifes  permission . Taking care of family is a must!

There are parks around where you work.  I saw one with Little Dry Creek running through it, Woodie Hollow Park.  It belongs to Cherry Creek Village; I looked online but could not find their regs for panning in parks in their region.  

Some areas are motor free, but you can sluice or pan.  Find out the regs for each "authority" as to what they allow.  Some allow NOTHING...Douglas County fits into that category.  Some areas are in municipal areas, but some Open Space group controls the areas, like along some of the bike trails.  You need to find out who controls which areas.  

I mentioned Little Dry because it does have gold.  Just find a park near your work that is controlled by a group that allows you to sluice!

I have tried to find out what is allowed by the county. When I talk to them they act like I am speaking a different language when I mention gold mining. I also never get return phone calls from them when I leave messages.
I'll keep looking

Can you feel the love?