Ganes creek gold

[Brian in AK]

Just got back from the first week at Ganes creek. Had a great time, the group found a total of 18+ ounces.(one 5.96 oz nugget)

The MXT / 14 inch eclipse in relic mode worked good for me.

Here's a photo of my nuggets, 2.8 oz all together - the largest is .52oz.
Brian

Ganes creek homepage

 

[Rick(ND)]

n/t

 

[Bottleguy]

Hey Brian,

That's some REALLY nice gold you've got there!! I've been tossin' around the idea of goin' to Ganes Creek, and I've decided to sign up for next year. I've got a few questions and I'm hoping that, having been there yourself, you could help me out.

1. I figgerin' from your post you were there this June. How was the weather, the level of the creek, mosquitoes, etc. If you were to go again next year would you go later, say October? or earlier in April or May??

2. In your week there, where was most of the gold being found? Tailing piles, in the creek, in cracks in exposed bedrock, high banks?? Also, their website shows a Cat D9 bulldozer. Do they spread out the tailing piles so you can hunt? And, if not, do you think they would??

3. Getting there seems easy enough. Fly into Anchorage, then to McGrath, and take the Charter flight to Ganes Creek. Is there another way?? Perhaps rent an SUV in McGrath and drive in??

4. If you were to do this trip again, what would you do different?? Anything you forgot to bring or wish you had when you were there??

5. I've got an MXT (of course). Which coil would be best??
I've got the 9.5" stock that came with the unit and the 3x6" Eclipse.

6. How's about panning and sluicing?? Do they allow it??

7. Do they serve beer?? or should I bring my own??

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really looking forward to heading out there for a week sometime next year.

Thanks,

Rick

Here's a nugget I found about 20 years ago panning on Saxon Creek in Mariposa County, Calif. It's about 1" long.
[attachment 30318 gold.jpg]

 

[reconj]

Hey Bottleguy-----I was there last year for a week, so I can give you a few things. No Beer--bring your own beer, if you don't go over the weight per person . They do push the tailing ever day---and the old tailing piles were good---but there are no bad areas to look---No roads into McGrath , just fly in or by river--Coils---- you want to have a 14 , small one and the 9.50 one also.---The 14 coil for covering large amount of ground ---June 17 to Sept 16 is the open dates I think---Go back and read all the old post you can on Ganes---I like it so much that I'll be there for Two weeks this year--Take care--Jack

 

[Brian in AK]

Rick, Jack,



Hey Brian,

That's some REALLY nice gold you've got there!! I've been tossin' around the idea of goin' to Ganes Creek, and I've decided to sign up for next year. I've got a few questions and I'm hoping that, having been there yourself, you could help me out.

1. I figgerin' from your post you were there this June. How was the weather, the level of the creek, mosquitoes, etc. If you were to go again next year would you go later, say October? or earlier in April or May??

//I would prefer earlier but Doug only opens it up for detectors from the middle of June until around the end of August.

2. In your week there, where was most of the gold being found? Tailing piles, in the creek, in cracks in exposed bedrock, high banks?? Also, their website shows a Cat D9 bulldozer. Do they spread out the tailing piles so you can hunt? And, if not, do you think they would??

//Most of the gold was found in the fresh dozer pushes - mostly because thats where everyone hunts. I found most of my stuff in old pushes, tailing piles, and up on the bench south of camp. It can be found anywhere. Go to the Alaska mining and diving website - Steve has some great tips on what to look for in the tailings.

3. Getting there seems easy enough. Fly into Anchorage, then to McGrath, and take the Charter flight to Ganes Creek. Is there another way?? Perhaps rent an SUV in McGrath and drive in??

//Nope, fly in only.

4. If you were to do this trip again, what would you do different?? Anything you forgot to bring or wish you had when you were there??

//This was my 4th trip, the thing that works best for me is ground coverage. Get up early and swing the detector as much as you possibly can. Dig those iffy targets.

5. I've got an MXT (of course). Which coil would be best??
I've got the 9.5" stock that came with the unit and the 3x6" Eclipse.

//My new favorite coil is the 14 inch eclipse - I had to use a bungee to swing it all day but you get great ground coverage and it produced good results for me. Most other mxt drivers use the stock 9.5 inch.

6. How's about panning and sluicing?? Do they allow it??

//Yes - they have pans and a sluice you can use. I think they still have a highbanker to use but didn't see it out this year.

7. Do they serve beer?? or should I bring my own??

//BYOB

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really looking forward to heading out there for a week sometime next year.

//It's a great place, I would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Bottleguy]

Thanks Jack and Brian...

Great insight and now I know a little more of what to expect. (maybe I'll switch to Southern Comfort for the week...it'll help keep the weight down and the mosquitoes happy! )

Thanks again for the tips, and maybe I'll see you there next summer!!

Rick