Hunting for Gold
The first chore was setting up the camp. I am very happy with the nylon tarp. It held up very well in the gusty wind and rain.
Every morning for 10 days I drove to what I thought was the closest place to begin the “easy hike” to the claim area. That little white mark is Lilith.
The ground, once I got down to the river level, was little hills and valleys of the old river bed. Covered with mossy round rocks and over-my-head tall, scratchy bushes with occasional paths that would dead end.
My arms were worse. Face isn’t too bad. Nothing really hurt, I was too excited to find gold.
After several days of struggle in the scratchy bushes jungle I figured that it couldn’t be the “easy hike”, so I tried walking up the Dolores River to the site.
Hours of sliding over mossy round rocks was not as much fun as I thought it would be. The water is very cold. But I would stop several times to pan for gold, in someone else’s claim.
Every day for 10 days I would return to the truck and drive back to the campsite, exhausted, shaky, bloody, bruised and excited to start again the next day. I never made it to the claim. BUT … I may have just found a new way to get there. I just have to crawl over the highway fence. Stay tuned.
I did find a little bit of “flour” gold and a tiny flake of what may be gold or pyrite. And still love the process.
Truck Camper Hints 
So good to hear of all your attempts to get to your own site. Is there a topographic map of the area? Take care and look forward to hearing more. Pippa
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I have a topo of the area. The BLM office has an exact map of the claim area, but, thanks to virus, they are closed. I picked the first bunch of ways cuz according to the maps the way was flat. I figured that flat was the easy part of the “easy hike” . Got another idea of going down this very steep area, but it is way shorter. Cross your fingers!
On Sat, Jul 18, 2020 at 5:06 PM Truck Camper Hints wrote:
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Wow Pickett, what a fun adventure! When you find your claim can you wack a trail for easier access? I love living vicariously through your adventures 🤗
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I don’t think wacking NF trees/bushes is OK. I really think I have another way to get to the spot. I have been too stubborn, thinking that the flat way was the way to get to the spot. I’ll let you know.
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Beautiful country! It seems even your own gold comes at a price! Glad you are enjoying yourself so much!
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Cheap price for so much fun!
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Luv your camp site. Looks so secluded and peaceful. You take care, too many adventures await you to be getting hurt. Have fun & YES YOU CAN DO IT!!!
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Thanks Dale! I am having a huge quota of fun so far.
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