More Information on Cache Creek

I have a short post for you today concerning Cache Creek regulations.  I am in the process of helping my Mother with some major medical problems that have kept me hopping since we returned from Arizona, and, also, from blogging.  Soon, that will be over and I will be able to share with you more often.

According to the BLM office in Canyon City, in addition to the ban on motorized equipment, no mechanized equipment of any kind will be allowed.  This will include anything with wheels, such as hand trucks, wagons, wheel barrows, zip lines, or anything that is not brought in or out by hand, nor can you use anything mechanized to assist you with extraction or processing of placer gravels. This may include anything battery operated, but I have not asked that question, specifically.  If you wish to use battery operated equipment, you will need to make sure you will be allowed to do that by contacting the BLM Canyon City office.

A call to the Salida Arkansas Headwaters office produced a different response, but that office is not authorized to do anything for the BLM but issue Arkansas River bonds for pumping water.  For any information on the Cache Creek area, you will need to contact the BLM Canyon City office directly, as the Salida office does not, and will not, have current information on the area.

We are enjoying a beautiful, warm Spring here in Colorado.  I hope you are finding gold where you are looking and we are looking forward to finding gold and prospecting for gold in Colorado.  Our time in Arizona was special and lots of fun.  I am considering starting a facebook page for Hooked on Gold to share more pictures and make commenting easier for those of  you who visit here.  I am thinking it might be a better way to restart the forum.  Let me know what you think, and as always,

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley Weilnau

Gold Prospecting Season is in Full Swing....for Some of Us

Colorado State Gold Panning Championship Winners - Ladies Division Right to Left, 1st Shirley Weilnau, 2nd Sue Drewes, and 3rd Linda Jent

A lot has happened since I last chatted with you. We have been very busy with all sorts of things, not all related to gold or gold prospecting here in Colorado. Since I last blogged, we have attended Burro Days, the Colorado State Gold Panning Championships have been held, a visit from our oldest son and his family, moving Tin Pan Prospector, RAIN, painting the shed and various other activities with friends. Little of this has had anything to do with sleep, and we spent most of last week trying to catch up on everything.

Burro Days in Fairplay had more people attend it than I have ever seen before. The roads were parked full some 5 blocks away from the Library. It looked like most people were having a lot of fun and, of course, I bought books from the library sale.

Three days were spent in Breckenridge at the Colorado State Gold Panning Championships, where we took a total of 8 medals. I brought home 5 (Firsts in Team, Women’s and Dry, Second in Old Timers, Third in State) and Larry, 3 ( Firsts in National Style and Team, and a third in Men’s).

Our two youngest grandchildren came to stay for a few days at camp along with their parents right after that, and we hiked them around and they went swimming twice. They were pretty worn out by the time they went home. LOL!

Tin Pan Prospector moved from their spot above Alma, across the road. We are still getting dirt moved around and the signs up in the right spots, but everything seems to be working out well.

We hear that things at Cache Creek are good. We also hear that some of the regulations are changing a bit in the prospector’s favor. They may be allowing people with hand equipment to come in and work over the 14 days for a $5.00 per day fee.  That was what highbankers paid to stay past their 14 days with a second permit.  I don't know if they have applied this to sluice boxes, recircs and gold pans or not. 

Next Monday we will be attending the Breckenridge Open Space meeting to introduce what equipment and activities prospectors engage in to the committee, to begin the process of possibly opening up some of the old dredge piles above the Country Boy mine to recreational gold prospecting. The process will probably take most of the winter, as we also must get the items through the Summit County Open Space which controls the open space with Breckenridge. There are several on the committee who would like to see it opened, so we have a good chance of getting this through. We DO need help from any prospectors out there that live in Breckenridge or Summit County to lend a hand. We are commuting more than an hour and a half one way to attend meetings, and weather and highway conditions have been hampering our ability to get to these meetings.

Rain has been a BIG factor in our prospecting these past three weeks. Camp has had close to 5 inches and it has rained every day or night. Alma has had 7 or 8 inches. We are hoping everything doesn’t float away on us one of these days, and we are looking forward to some drier weather. We did get one coat of paint on the shed yesterday before it rained, and we would like to get the second on some time this week.

Other than those things, we have been enjoying our camp in CORA. Even when it is raining, it is peaceful, but the summer is going way too fast. We are hoping we have weather good enough to stay until October. Clouds are already forming over Mt. Bross, but they are white puffy ones, so far.

I have a review on the new blue Keene/Pioneer pan ready to post along with pictures. I’ll post that later this week so watch for it. Love my Safari sluice box!

Until later this week, I am hoping you are having one of the best seasons for finding gold you have ever had.

Good Prospecting to You

Hooked on Gold Gazette 2/5/10

Beautiful Diamond Heart Pendant in 14K Gold in White Quartz

· Gold Spot Closing Price for Friday: $1066.90
· Spot price last Gazette : $1083.70
________________
Gold ‘N’ Store
(Links to our affiliates. Good deals, and GREAT folks)
You can find Panning Kits
Monthly Prospecting Equipment Specials
Basic Prospecting Equipment
Click around their site a bit to find what you want.
Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
· Tucson Show in Tucson, Arizona
· 2nd Groundhog Day
· 4th Heritage Lecture at the Western Mining Museum SOLD OUT
· 7th Super Bowl Sunday
· 12th Lincoln’s Birthday
· 10th GPOC General Meeting 7:00 p.m. Colo. Sprgs.
· 14th Valentine’s Day
· 15th Presidents Day
· 22nd Washington’s Birthday
· 26th – 28th Gem and Mineral Guild Spring Show – Jefferson County Fairgrounds
_______________________________________
NEWS

So, how’s your game face for this weekend. Got your favorite team to root for? Of course you do! Super Bowl hype for their famous commercials is all over the news and the web. Everyone promises to give you a special look/see at the best of ‘em, but I haven’t seen anything that has actually shown me anything. Of course, if I had the time I could do a search and probably find them, but I have been working on the website and started to upload some changes. I DID come across this item for those Super Bowl parties I thought you might like to chuckle at. http://www.sportspickle.com/article:620/super-bowl-cheat-sheet

You will notice the next time you visit on the home page that the layout is a bit different. My old website template may not be up to the changes I want to make, so I may try to rebuild it this Spring. Hopefully, it will come out similar but with some updated features in the menu. I have had a few comments about the twitter updater, but it updates the blog and home page, so I am compromising and putting it at the bottom of both. Hopefully this will satisfy all of us. If you like to follow along you still can, those who don’t like it don’t have to see it above the fold, and I get to update the pages more regularly.

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon! Check out goldnstore for that special gold jewelry or prospecting themed gift for your sweetie before it is too late to ship. Anything in stock I can get to you in three days, but the 8th will be the last ship date I can do that and get it there in time for you to wrap.

I have heard that the BLM is absolutely slammed with inquiries about Cache Creek and this summer. I have not heard what their final changes are, so I cannot update you much, but what had been discussed at the end of last year included daily fees for everyone and restrictions on the number of days you can use the area regardless of what equipment you are using. Also, they were looking into hiring a summer employee to cover both the Arkansas and Cache Creek area with someone who would be taking the fee packets in and monitoring the area with ticket writing and enforcement abilities. With the number of people using the area they need better control of the area. GPOC is looking into whether they will be assisting again this year or not. This is before their board now and will be decided in the next month.

Tin Pan Prospecting in Fairplay is getting together an interesting array of properties to prospect on, so check them out this summer, too. Chad’s areas are pay for use, and are on private or patented land. He has a large portion of Mt. Bross and the Dolly Varden properties already under agreement along with some other promising areas that have not committed as of yet. His website is also undergoing a facelift and changes. Looks like a good season of gold prospecting is in store on the East side of Mosquito Pass, too.

If anyone cares, the weather at the Tucson show started out wet and cold, but I got a report today that said it was about 65 degrees. With all of the rain the cacti should bloom well in about a month or so. That’s about when the snakes come out, too. LOL!

GPOC members might like to know that our good friend Glen Orhns is going into surgery on the 10th to finally have his hip replaced. He should have plenty of time to heal up in time to tramp around the mountains this summer prospecting for gold and get in a few hunts next Fall. Too bad he will miss the pig hunt in March, but, hey, nobody said it would be all gravy. Besides, when he went in for the evaluation they said he was a 10. Probably the only time in his whole life he was ever a 10. LOL!

I keep finding a few blogs on gold prospecting, or blogs that put up a page or two on the subject, and I always notice how nicely the articles read and look. I always think I should do the same, but I always seem to come back here just to chat with you about gold, gold prospecting and finding gold while sharing with you some of the interesting things I find on the web and the outings we go on. I should do it more often, but I actually do have a life outside of the web, and today, I don’t have the vacuuming done. Is that ‘real’ enough for ya? I guess I’ll let the website give you the information you want and use the email address to answer questions with. If I do that, I can ramble here all I want to, and you can read it or not as you like. Hopefully, I get some good information and updates out to you, or least a little bit of fun now and again.
Until next week…….

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley (MQS)
Google has begun running third party ads and is requiring adsense sites to include information about this change on their websites. You can read about this on our Privacy Policy page.
World Open Panning website has this year’s world wide panning competitions listed and they add more all the time. A great site to visit: www.worldopenpanning.homestead.com . If the links do not work, copy and paste them into your browser.
If you find a broken link, please let us know
THE ARKANSAS RIVER is now CLOSED TO MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT until MARCH 1st.
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www.hookedongold.com
www.hookedongoldprospecting.ning.com A prospecting forum and social posting community
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Hooked on Gold Gazette 10/17/09

Two pieces of equipment used at Cache Creek to muck out the beaver pond.


Mucking out the beaver pond. This is about the size the pond ended up being. It goes a ways to the left of this shot, but I couldn't get it all in.

HOOKED ON GOLD GAZETTE
· Gold Spot Closing Price for Friday, last Gazette: $1052.80
· Spot price last Gazette May 2nd: $885.80
________________

Calendar of Events

OCTOBER

· 31st Halloween

NOVEMBER

· 26th Thanksgiving

DECEMBER

· 24th Christmas Eve
· 25th Christmas Day
_______________________________________
NEWS

If you haven’t checked out the Prospecting Community Network you might want to. We have a great group started with several already blogging and getting involved. You will be able to view the main page when you pull the site up to decide if it is a place you would like to hang out at.

As it ended, the first Gazette of the Fall is a day late. I considered waiting until next week, but I have enough info to share now and an hour this early morning to get the Gazette to you even if it is a little late. Why is it late, you might ask? Well, I am painting one room upstairs while we have a few nice days and I can open the house to dry it, AND I was playing a new game. Yes, I know it is hard to believe that a new game could deter me from writing to you, but it is true. So, I am up early to atone for my wasted time yesterday that should have been devoted to you. :>D

So, what have all of you been up to this summer? Have you found gold? Won gold at a meeting? Had hail break all the windows in your house? What? Leave some comments to this blog so I don’t think I’m out there all alone. Some of you are wondering why I twitter and Facebook so much, and I have decided that it is because those places are where I have interaction with other prospectors and those interested in gold. It’s not that I don’t enjoy writing this blog, but there is very little input from you. It is hard to know what you want to read when there are no comments left for me to comment on. A blog can be almost as interactive as any social networking site, in fact they are an extension of blogs and the interactivity that was first born in blogs. So, take a minute and make a comment when you find something you like or don’t like. YOU hate it when I’m not blogging, but a blog is supposed to be two way. Give me something more to write about, and I’ll write. I’m a writing fool, as you can tell from all the sites I have, and anyone who has emailed me will tell you that I LOVE trying to answer questions.

We found gold this summer. Not a lot, but we did find gold. Helped a lot of other people find gold, too. We spent a great deal of time hosting at Cache Creek, and the BLM tells us that most people appreciated someone being in the area to help them set up equipment, teach panning and tell them where in area to find gold. The area was absolutely SLAMMED this summer, and so new regulations are being drawn up by the BLM to get some control over the area. Larry and I have been allowed to put our two cents in, and they are looking at our recommendations as guidelines. If you don’t like the new ones, you can blame us for being in there so much and people who were in there all summer moving over 100 yards of material with sluice boxes. Limits will be imposed next year, and a fee structure that will be more fair to everyone. This area is meant for RECREATIONAL PROSPECTING, which means it is not governed by the mining laws. BLM is free to impose regulations on the area as they deem necessary as with any campground, parking area that has a fee, etc.

The pond was mucked out in late September, and a couple of additional settling ponds were dug in, too. The two smaller ponds will not stop the silt from going into the beaver pond if the present amount of silt continues to run down the creek. Most people will say the highbankers are at fault for this, but from personal experience, I can say that the majority of it comes from the sluices that are run directly in the creek. Highbankers are required to settle their material before it returns to the creek, which also means the water must be diverted away from the main creek. There can be as many as 6 highbankers in the area, but on most days the sluice boxes outnumber them by about 5 to one, and I have watched sluicers move as much material through one sluice box as a ‘banker. Our average count of vehicles in the parking lot was around 28. That means on most days there were between 40 and 75 people in the area a day; every day. We ended up with two port a jons to handle the wastes, and had we not been there to get that done, the place would have been an even bigger mess than it has been in past years.

As a result of this year’s use and our record taking for the BLM, they are considering hiring a summer time employee to help regulate the Arkansas River and Cache Creek. That means that all of you who have bragged about being able to get away with anything because there is not anyone in the area to make sure you comply, have created a situation where we now have to pay a salary to keep you in line because you can’t be relied on to be personally responsible for yourself on public lands without law enforcement there to make sure you do. This means that everyone who uses the area will probably be required to pay a daily fee, and most probably have restrictions on the number of days you can use the area per season. Thanks a bunch. The ounces of gold I saw taken out of there by single or two man teams of men who worked the area all summer was substantial, and they all should have had their own claims and not using public lands in this way. All were using sluice boxes which have no fees, so they took it out for free. One team switched to a highbanker, but also stayed in the area with it for over 6 weeks. Almost all were very protective of their area and kept others out by placing equipment near and around their work areas. If you even looked like you might want to work near them they became irate and combative. Some situations were volatile enough to call in law enforcement, and there are charges still pending on at least one case. Oh, and then there was the fire, which apparently was started by a small campfire that had been left unattended above the last hydraulicing wall, most probably by prospectors. There were also reports of dredging going on and spies who watched everyone from the rock burms. Yes, we need to be able to keep people in line at Cache Creek. Some people are reporting that they feel the area is dangerous and being taken over by lawlessness. And there we were. With a sign and a green cap and a note book. There were days I carried my hand pick for defense. Yes, we need more regulation at Cache Creek. No, we aren’t happy about it, but yes, we (the public) need this regulation and support.

Another thing that came to our attention was that the GPAA put the area in their claims guide as an open area. This brought in many more people than the area was ever meant to support, and while the area was originally expected to last 20 years, the number of years left for the area could be less than 10. Long range plans for the area had included a campground, but with so few years left for use, those plans have been put on hold. Right now, everyone is scrambling to get the area under control and limit the environmental and use impact. Remember this area is a conservation area, and we are confident that had we not been there to document what was going on and help BLM understand what needs to be done, Cache Creek would have been closed this year due to extreme damage to the area and the amount of material moved and silt sent down the creek. The area was originally closed down, you will remember, due to silting of the Arkansas River, and so silting is a major concern to keeping the area open. While we are not sending silt into the Arkansas, it is sent to a beaver pond and over the dam into the conservation area below. We are confident the new regulations will give us many more years of safe use, but we NEED the cooperation of everyone to keep the area open.

I have a few links for you to follow. The first is to an animated film on youtube about an Alaskan prospector and is appropriate for our Halloween holiday coming up soon. It is about 8 minutes long http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYqtDqE69no
Another is an article about bacteria that could be an explanation for some gold deposits. It also could allow gold to be grown in a lab and lead to new technology for finding gold http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/esrf-bhf100709.php
And now Oregon wants to be like California. They are now looking to ban recreational prospecting there, too. Read: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/kulongoski-wants-to-head-off-calif-gold-miners-64391782.html

(Links to our affiliates. Good deals, and GREAT folks)
You can find Panning Kits
Monthly Prospecting Equipment Specials
Basic Prospecting Equipment

Until next week…….

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley (MQS)
Google has begun running third party ads and is requiring adsense sites to include information about this change on their websites. You can read about this on our Privacy Policy page.

World Open Panning website has this year’s world wide panning competitions listed and they add more all the time. A great site to visit: http://www.worldopenpanning.homestead.com/ . If the links do not work, copy and paste them into your browser.

If you find a broken link, please let us know
THE ARKANSAS RIVER is now CLOSED TO MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT until MARCH 1st.
_______________________________________
http://www.hookedongold.com/
http://www.hookedongoldprospecting.ning.com/
hookedongold@gmail.com contact us
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Ads that you might find on this blog or on a website using ads, may use cookies or other tracking means to track your movements on the web. Please read our Privacy Policy to see how this affects you and what you might want to do to prevent cookies being used to track you.

Time Passes Quickly When You Are Finding Gold

Mountain Vistas in Gold Country!

It's July 5th. I am having a hard time believing that my last post here was on June 27th! I am online almost every day writing somewhere and answering questions, so if I have neglected you here, I am sorry.

Gold closed last Friday around $931.00 and it is at $929.60 now. The 4th of July weekend was quiet at Cache Creek, and we are looking at our second trip back home to pick up mail. That might not seem significant to you, but that means we have been away for almost a month, since the P.O. will only hold for 30 days. Our oldest son will be celebrating his 35th birthday this week, and the youngest is moving. Needless to say, this trip back will be very busy although short.

We have found gold most days we have looked, and with the Arkansas still near flood stage, Cache Creek and Point Bar are about all there is that can be worked right now. Lots of nice gold is still coming out regularly. Most days there is one highbanker to every 4 sluices at Cache Creek, and some days there are no 'bankers at all. Weather has been cool with rain most days, too. New signs have been placed by the BLM concerning trees as too many are being undercut and taken down. They also placed a piece of plexi glass on the permanent information side of the Kiosk so weather and wind doesn't send the papers flying all over the parking lot.

We had our water pump go out on the new UTV on Saturday, and we suspect it was damaged in the first place, as I could smell coolant and water vapor from the start. The impeller also does not turn, so we are looking at conversations with the shiper tomorrow morning to see what needs to be done. We are looking forward to some July sunshine, and then will probably complain about how hot it is. LOL! DID find some more old markers and got a better look at others that we have photographed before the pump went out. Until next time...

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley

Cache Creek Gold Prospecting Responsibilities

Trees should stand tall at Cache Creek, not down in a hole!

Cache Creek is becoming a challenge to keep things from getting out of control. While most miners in the area adhere to the regs, there are those who feel the regs do not apply to them when no one is watching. Several violations will be addressed here, and hopefully get the word out that these types of infractions jeopardize the continuation of keeping the area open to the public.

First is the undermining of trees. NO ONE who has NOT contacted the BLM about tree removal is allowed to remove ANY tree for ANY reason. The tree above was undercut three feet past its' tap root. This tree was also marked in orange and was to be saved. Who in their right mind would undermine a tree to this extent and cause such a hazard to all who are in the area? Camp Hosts called BLM concerning it and obtained permission to take it down, but if this irresponsible conduct continues, BLM will close this area due to the unsafe nature of the area to all who visit.

FIRES MUST BE CONTAINED IN A METAL FIRE CONTAINER, AND MUST BE OUTSIDE THE DAY USE AREA! In case you are not aware, the middle mountains of Colorado are under extreme fire danger regardless of the amount of rain we get. Beetle kill is so wide spread that any fire is potentially the start of a fire here that will be unstoppable due to the number of dead and dying trees. Certainly, no one using Cache Creek would want to be responsible for or prosecuted for starting such a fire. This is NO JOKE! It is VERY serious, and beyond being ticketed for having a fire on the ground and not in an elevated metal fire pan, the Federal Government WILL jail you for starting a forest fire, as they have before for irresponsible behavior.

PICK UP YOUR CIGARETTE BUTTS!

FILL IN YOUR HOLES! While we are aware that many leave the holes open for themselves or others to use after they have left the area, this poses a danger for anyone walking above them. Camp Hosts are constantly filling in holes and pits that others leave. This is exhausting work, and if you think it takes too much of your time, imagine how much time it takes for those who did not make them in the first place.

The bear is becoming more aggressive. It is appearing earlier in the evening and is getting used to people, their noises and movements. This is creating a situation where the camping signs will need to be moved so that all the camps are not so close together creating a foraging opportunity for the bear. You are in its' habitat, not the other way around, and it would be prudent for campers to spread out a bit so that a confrontation with the bear is less likely to happen. The area being used now may be convenient, but it is creating a problem with congestion, etc.

We are hopeful that all will abide by common sense and the regulations posted on the kiosk, as well as not pushing the envelope when no one is watching. We are not there to babysit all of you, but it seems as if some of you need that. We truly do not want to lose this area to the irresponsible actions of a few. Please do not shoot at the bear. An attack will close the area and the bear will suffer the consequences as well as you will. All of you are responsible for policing yourselves and questioning your neighbors if their actions are not in compliance with regulations. Enforcement is NOT your duty, but you can ask why they are acting the way they are, and report to the camp host any questionable activity as soon as possible so that action by them can be taken.

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley
www.hookedongold.com

Cache Creek Gold Prospecting

Building from days long ago

Ok, Ok, it's been a while since I have had time to enter a blog post on this site, but we have been SUPER busy. Twitter helps with info, but it just isn't the same, is it? Weather has not been with us so far, but it should be getting better as June turns into July.

We have begun the Camp Host program at Cache Creek and begun trying to address some of the problems in the area. Undercutting of trees is still going on and everyone needs to remember that you need to stay 10 feet from the trees leaving their main roots alone. Cutting of trees is prohibited and the digging of straight down pits is dangerous. Anyone doing that needs to fill those in completely. It is NOT the Camp Hosts job to clean up your mess.

Another item that came to our attention is the claims at the bottom of the valley near the highway and below the cemetery. Those are now active and everyone needs to respect that and stay out of there.

The Porta Potty has been a big hit, so much so that GPOC is looking into having it pumped either twice a week or putting in a second one if funds permit from the grant money. All for now.

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley
www.hookedongold.com
www.hookedongoldprospecting.ning.com
hookedongold@gmail.com

Ready for Gold Prospecting

Camp is set up now for the summer here at Snowy Peaks RV Park, and we are a couple of very 'happy campers'. LOL! The weather is gorgeous, sunny and warm. We bugged out about 8 this morning, stopped into Frenchman's Creek to pick up the tailer, and got ourselves parked before noon. All afternoon we have been getting things situated and cleaned, and making lists of what we need to bring up next week. Wifi connection is great, and the dish is working, so we are all set for prospecting for gold, blogging, and relaxing. Looks like rain tomorrow, but we have plenty to keep us busy if it gets too nasty.

Gold closed the weekend at $930.90 a nice leap from this morning before we left. I found an article this past week on the mint at Carson City I thought you might like. If you ever find any gold coins made by this mint, be sure and keep them. They are usually in high demand and sell for very good prices.

Watch this next week for information on Cache Creek and the changes and new items coming to the area on the website. I have placed some of the information on http://www.hookedongoldprospecting.ning.com for members to read. Anyone can join the site and we have lively discussions going on about metal detecting, Cache Creek, and Lost Canyon.

Have to go get ice cream.....I know, but we gotta do what we gotta do. More later this week.

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley
P.S. We read this morning that mining companies are suing Ken Salazar, head of the department of the Interior, for canceling some of the scheduled auctions for leases earlier this year.

Cache Creek-Signs to the Gold Area

Sign at the Parking Lot Entrance

Kiosk in Parking Lot

Signs at the Entrance to the Road and Then the Gate

Thought you might get a kick out of seeing the new signs up at Cache Creek. We will be back up this weekend to finish closing up camp, and we have friends up at Cache Creek that we will stop in and say “Hi” to, as well as get some pictures of the area and the trees that have been removed.

The Kiosk is too big for me to get all of the words big enough for you to read online, but I may get around to transcribing them into a word doc and publishing them for you later. Right now, we will make a few weekend trips to B.V. while the weather is still good and look at property for sale in town. Who knows what might turn up. It’s as good an excuse as any to get out of the city and we will probably do a little gold panning and metal detecting if the weather holds.

Gold is bouncing around this week, but has still managed to stay above $875. I am still hearing noises like it will make it to $1500 by the end of January. Speaking of gold, I just remembered that we finished cleaning up the cons from the September trip and the total was about 6 grams for 5 days. We did better last year when we could get to the layer at the creek level. When we uncovered it a few weeks ago, it was under water. BUMMER!

Watch for the newsletter tomorrow afternoon. Until then

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley Weilnau

Hooked on Gold Gazette Jan. 4, 2008

HOOKED ON GOLD GAZETTE
· Gold Spot Closing Price for Friday: $863.00
· Spot price Dec. 29th: $838.80
_____________________________________________________
Calendar of Events
JANUARY 2008
1st New Years Day
9th GPOC Meeting 7:00 p.m. Colo. Springs
FEBRUARY
TUCSON GEM, MINERAL, and FOSSIL SHOW – Tucson, Az.
13th GPOC Meeting 7:00 p.m. Colo. Springs
22nd – 24th Gem and Mineral Show Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Colo.
_______________________________________________________
NEWS
Gold is in the news this week so much, that it is hard to decide which aspect to report on. Several will be ongoing, but the U.S. Forest Service updates are probably the most pressing. In case you have not been aware, the U.S. Forest Service has recently proposed to “issue criminal citations for occupancy” on public lands. As always, they will also be attempting to put further restrictions on mining on public lands. One proposed amendment will create a “bonded notice”, which will require a “financial guarantee” for any mining activities that would not require a plan of operations. The amount of this proposed “bond” was not quoted, but we in Colorado are already familiar with this type of bonding which has been required by the BLM on the Arkansas River for about 4 or 5 years. Public Lands for the People will be addressing this issue when it is posted, but miners in general need to get on board with this as no public meetings are proposed and the comment periods are usually very short.

The Preble’s Mouse has raised its’ ugly head again and it is now planned not to delist it from the endangered species list, even though it was proven to be genetically identical to another more common mouse. Yes, dear friends, your house, highways, and recreation will be limited because such activities might disturb its’ habitat. This highly specialized mouse is doomed by mother nature to die out when it’s habitat changes, and that is why it is a mutation of the original. The original is meant to survive. If we continue to go against mother nature, how will new species ever evolve in a new world? Why is this mouse more important than another that might take its’ place. How can the Fish and Wildlife Service be sure this mouse will become extinct if it is disturbed, or that it isn’t part of the bigger “plan”?

Comments on the prebel mouse issue can be submitted to: Susan Linner, Field Supervisor, Colorado Field Office, Ecological Services, P.O. Box 25486, MS-6542, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Co. 80225 or by fax to (303) 236-4005 or email to FW6_PMJM@fws.gov Comments much be received by Jan. 22, 2008.

Chili is in this week’s news as one South American country that can attribute its’ prosperity to mining and a government that is aware of the contribution it makes to that prosperity. While working with mining companies to develop resources, they can also keep environmental impacts to a minimum while reaping the maximum benefits from mining. They have been reasonably successful in keeping all things in perspective, to the benefit of all.

Gold prices continue to bounce around, and predictors are coming out with what they think it will do in ’08. I am reading and hearing many, and the highest prediction is that it will reach $1500 and silver to be at $25.00 per ounce. Now, I’ve watched these predictions for quite a while and I gotta tell ya, they never are as high as predicted, but they do go up. If you were to look at ’07, you would find that gold advanced 50% this year. If it were to advance at the same pace this year, that would make the peak somewhere in the $1200 range. Since the stock market is predicted to stay rather flat for ’08, and gold has been pacing itself with the markets, that would mean gold should stay in the $800 to $900 range. Personally, I would LOVE to see $1500 gold, but realistically, I have to hope for $1000 to $1200 this year. How’s your crystal ball?

Next week, more on how gold gets deposited in its’ matrixes.

Last note: I had a link come in about 30 minutes ago that is announced on the home page concerning Cache Creek regulations for 2008. Check it out if you haven’t already.
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If you find a broken link, please let us know
THE ARKANSAS RIVER is now closed TO MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT FOR THE WINTER UNTIL APRIL 1, 2008.
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Until Next week.
Good Prospecting to You,
Larry and Shirley Weilnau
http://www.hookedongold.com/
http://www.thevideosense.com/user/MQS/ Prospecting Videos
http://www.hookedongold2.com/ Looking for metal detectors on e-Bay? Click here
info@hookedongold.com contact us

Hooked on Gold Gazette Dec. 14, 2007.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HOOKED ON GOLD GAZETTE

Gold Spot Closing Price for Friday Dec. 14, 2007: $793.10

Spot price Dec. 7: $794.40

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Calendar of Events

December

12th GPOC Christmas Party 7:00 p.m. Bring unwrapped gifts for children for the Marines toy drive
19th GPR Members Christmas Party
24th CHRISTMAS EVE
25th CHRISTMAS DAY
31st New Year's Eve
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NEWS

What a golden time of year! Do you have that smell of new fallen snow at your house? Some of us have had too much of it, and some nothing but ice storms. Hopefully everyone has their electricity back on. The Holiday is just around the corner, so I hope you have most of your Christmas shopping finished and the cards in the mail. They say the biggest mailing day will be this Monday, so get it off before then. You may be lucky enough to have post offices in your area that are staying open longer tomorrow.

If you have been watching the price of gold this past week, you have seen it go from a high of around $815 back to just below what it was last Friday. I am reading more and more material and financial papers that are agreeing that gold has and will continue to follow the stock market in it's ups and downs. If you look at both charts for that past 5 years, they are pretty much mirror images. What does that mean for gold next year? It can go either way. If the markets are up Gold will probably follow, and if it is down, ditto. Yeah, cop out, you say. But, this is a new trend in gold that the world has not seen before, and all are still waiting to see how it plays out. If gold is no longer the inflation hedge that everyone has always turned to, what will be?

China and India will continue to demand more of the world's gold every year, so the price must reflect that pressure. Who knows how much old gold is still in the vaults of the world's banks, and they trade it all the time as a commodity, often manipulating the price as they did much of '07. I find the ups and downs of the gold price in recent years to be nearly unpredictable, as there are so many variables that can and do effect the price. One thing remains sure. People will ALWAYS collect and horde gold. They love the yellow color, it's special properties, how it looks against the skin, and how heavy it feels.

New regulations are coming out this next year for Cache Creek usage. I went into some detail about it in the last blog, so if you haven't read it, you might want to do so.

GPOC members and anyone wanting to join the group needs a "heads up" as to the membership dues change in '08. Singles will be $25.00 and families $30.00 a year, the first price raise in 15 years. The cost of maintaining the claims goes up each year, as well as things like postage and paper. The new GPOC website is coming along nicely, although it isn't published as of yet. When that happens, I'll blog it here, so watch for it. They are ready to add their old store back in, as well, so you will have another source for your "stuff." I am hiring an expert early next year to help me with the problems I ca not seem to figure out on my own, and have purchased a new template for the website. A new look and feel will go along with it, and, with luck, I can put up a page for all to look at before the whole thing goes live and you are in shock and not sure where you are. Colors look like they will be in the brown, golden yellow, and burnt orange ranges, and it will have a more denim/western feel. Right now you can find the Christmas giffs that are sprinkled around the site for your enjoyment, and after the holidays I should be able to get some new video clips working in the pages as well. Have a fantastic week, and I will report to you on Friday with another chapter in gold. (HINT: The new ICMJ is out and I haven't read it yet. Larry always gets to it first and he isn't finished yet.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

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If you find a broken link, please let us know

THE ARKANSAS RIVER is now closed TO MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT FOR THE WINTER UNTIL APRIL 1, 2008.

_________________________________________

Until Next week.

Good Prospecting to You,

Larry and Shirley Weilnau

http://www.hookedongold.com/

http://www.thevideosense.com/user/MQS/ Prospecting Videos

http://www.hookedongold2.com/ Looking for metal detectors on e-Bay? Click here

info@hookedongold.com contact us

Gold,Cache Creek, and SNOW

Cache Creek last fall Just one of the pictures featured in the new 2008 calendar you can find at the hookedongold cafe press store A Fabulous Gift for that Prospector you know


Waiting for the feds to decide our interest rate fate. In the mean time, gold is back at $810 this morning, after a short rally yesterday before falling back near $800. SNOW and cold is wrapping the mile high city in a black and grey scene after a weekend of freezing temps. We are looking forward to some sunnier skies tomorrow and the rest of the week, even if it is more than chilly outside. The mountains are blanketed in up to 8 feet of new snow with more on the way. I guess our November snow decided to fall in December.

And what of GOLD? Well, even though it is winter here in Colorado, plans for next year's prospecting season do go on. The BLM is beginning their plans for Cache Creek in 08, with road improvements a possibility. Those who are hoping for a facility of some type instead of the woods for relief, will find that they should probably plan on bringing their own facilities, as it will be required of all campers, as well as metal fire boxes for your campfire. New restrictions on the number of days you will be allowed to prospect the area with a high banker will be imposed as well, and even though you may balk at the idea, according to the outlines of the agreements on using the funds that were used to purchase this tract of land, the alternative is to close the area to prospecting altogether. MINING the area cannot be allowed. Those who stayed this past summer and mined the area for weeks and more than a month at a time will not be allowed to do so next year. AND the BLM is planning on frequent visits to insure compliance. Please remember that a few years ago this area was not accessible to you at all, and we believe the restrictions are reasonable considering the alternatives. I should add here that the recreational prospecting limitations will pertain to high banking and not hand tool or metal detecting usage at this time. Camping restrictions will apply to all. Camping is not going to be allowed in the parking lot, but there is AMPLE room to do that close to the parking lot. This restriction will free up the parking lot to day use, which it will be restricted to and is its' intent. We would welcome comments on these issues, as the BLM would like additional input. We are in contact with the BLM on Arkansas River prospecting on a regular basis, and can answer some of your questions as well as inform BLM of your concerns.

Cache Creek regulations

July 24, 2007.

We visited the Cache Creek area yesterday and found a lot of confusion about the requirements and regulations for the area. First, you need an additional bond from the BLM to work a highbanker in this area. DREDGING IS NOT ALLOWED! Panning, sluicing, and metal detecting can be done anywhere on the BLM portion of Cache Creek. Watch for private property and the working claims in the area. We also found that the BLM requirements did not allow prospectors to reuse limited water sources with their requirement that highbanking be 20 feet off a water source. We assume they are talking about the actual digging. There was a report that a dredge was in Cache Creek well out of the boundaries and downstream a bit. Those of you who choose to disobey the BLM regulations and requirements jeopardize the continued use of this area. The BLM can, and will, close this area to everyone if violations continue to happen. Since GPOC has been working with the BLM to open this area to the public, I have had the information on it on the GPOC Temp page at hookedongold.com. You can find the new info that was posted today at the bottom of that page for now.