June 28, 2011
Although it is officially summer, the snow remains on the mountain ridges.
There is no way to encourage "Mother Nature". Although we have been having warm, sunny days, the snow is not yet melted in the high country. The rivers and creeks are roiling, running fast and hard.
Yesterday, my mining partner Starr and I, again tried to access the upper claims. The Hard Times, Barber Gulch, Bonanza Gulch and Southern Cross claims are at high elevation, adjoining the Idaho border. It is likely that the claims themselves are free from snow, but to get there one has to go over Charlie Miller Saddle on the Cedar Creek Road. We made it up several miles farther than we did a few days ago, but again ran into snow. We stopped before we made it to the saddle, knowing that the saddle always has a lot more snow than at the point we stopped. In previous years, we have been able to work the claims beginning the middle of June. This year requires patience, but the rewards will be worth the wait.
With the continuing rise in the price of gold, we are understandably impatient. However, the heavy snow pack is causing a fast melt that is moving a lot of material. The winter of 2010-11 has set all time records. It is evident that the high water is under-cutting the sides of the creek bank, freeing trapped minerals and clearing new pathways for exploration.
I will make another attempt to go up Cedar Creek on Friday. I plan to spend the 4th of July weekend with a gold pan in my hand.
Comments