Last Post 28 May 2017 03:31 PM by  JERRY BARTSCH
Eastern Washington Northern Idaho and western Montana
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DAVID NEWSOM
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17 May 2014 03:09 PM

    Hi All!

    I am from the Spokane Washington area and would like to meet up with like minded prospectors. I have been panning for a year and just signed up for 2 more with GPAA. Ive been to the claim in Libby Mt a number of times and I think did pretty well considering the little amount of equipment I had. This year, I have upgraded my equipment and look to hit more claims. I would love to meet up with other members and maybe even form our own chapter. If anyone is interested, please let me know. I would be happy to discuss what we can do and maybe even plan some outings.

     

    PAN ON!

     

    -Dave

    BRIAN MORRISON
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    18 May 2014 09:43 AM
    Hi there...a friend and myself are heading to zortman for ten days next week, more then welcome to tag along. Pretty good rates for camping, all amenities needed and really good gold..
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    22 May 2014 08:46 AM
    Sorry for the slow reply. Im not familiar with Zortman. Where is that?
    John Dykstra
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    22 May 2014 08:30 PM

    I'm in Liberty Lake and new to the area gpaa/ldma . I need to get out but not sure where to go as of now.

    DAVID NEWSOM
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    29 May 2014 02:56 PM

    Hi John,

     

    I've went to Libby MT a few time last year. I tried to go the claim north of Kellogg a few weeks ago but too much snow. Your welcome to come along sometime. I'm trying to finish a truck right now for Car D'Alene but once I'm done with that, I plan on hittin it pretty hard. Of course, my days off are during the middle of the week so I'm not sure what your schedule is like. We could meet and talk about it sometime. Let me know.

    Your name seems awfully familiar BTW

     

    -Dave

     

    John Dykstra
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    29 May 2014 09:02 PM

      Hi Dave at this point I only have weekends off. I am doing research on the Pend Oreille County area on where to go. I think it will be about a 2 hr drive. So it would be a day trip possible over night. Still getting things sorted out here but by the end of June I will be able to get out. Why does my name ring a bell?

    Monte Wiebke
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    30 May 2014 02:44 AM
    Im in central Montana, been a member for just over a year. Ive gone to Zortman a few times, but would like to explore some other areas this year. Hope to run into some other members out there. Would be up to meeting other members for our own dig, I have a 2 inch dredge.
    THOMAS RADEMACHER
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    30 May 2014 07:59 AM

    David,

       Have you been to the claim north of Kellog before?  I too tried to go there a few weeks ago.  Unfortunately I didn't have a non-phone gps so I got a bit lost.  When I returned home and found out where I think i was supposed to go, I actually tried to go the correct way but couldn't.  I have a full sized truck and at one point on the road to the claim there is a spot that has two vertical cement pillars.  They are spaced out about apart about 4 inches wider than my truck.....but it is on an s turn with no room to play around.  I couldn't get through.  If that sounds familiar then I wanted to give a heads up to the other people in this area so they don't waste their time trying to go there in a large truck or similar vehicle.  If not...well I was lost..... 

    DAVID NEWSOM
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    30 May 2014 02:29 PM
    I work in Pend Oreille County John and I know where to go but as I understand it, you are only legally supposed to pan during the season which is in July and August, Unless I read it wrong. I hear about people panning up there all the time though.
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    30 May 2014 02:33 PM

    You were in the right place Thomas. I went through those pillars but you can only go a little bit further until the road is completely washed away. I found an alternative route and as soon as the snow is gone, we can get to the claim and it is actually a better road, just a bit longer. I did a little research and there are tons of claims all up and down that river. Since the GPAA claim is towards the top, I am hoping that means lots of color for us.

     

    Perhaps we can meet up there somewhere and check it out.

     

    I plan on going back in June to see how the snow is.

     

    -Dave

    DAVID NEWSOM
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    30 May 2014 02:37 PM

    John, Not sure why your name sounds familiar, it just does. Then again, I deal with a lot of people, maybe someone else with your same last name.

     

    -Dave

    DAVID NEWSOM
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    30 May 2014 02:40 PM

    Nice to meet you Monte. I'm not sure where Zortman is but I've heard a couple of people talk about it. I would love to have a dredge. My friend and I are thinking about building one. If we get up there again soon, we'll look you up. Libby is very nice and I really enjoy going there. Even with my equipment, there's color in every pan.

     

    -Dave 

    John Dykstra
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    30 May 2014 09:25 PM

    David 

       Go to page 10 of the gold and fish book. Section Mineral Prospecting Without Timing Restrictions. Hope it helps.

     John

    DAVID NEWSOM
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    31 May 2014 09:27 AM

    John, I saw that too but if you look on pages 29 and 30, it has the individual streams listed. I know people are panning in Sullivan Creek and doing well but it has a restricted season. I was confused on this. I work in Law Enforcement and see the wildlife guys quite often. I'll ask them how they interpret it.

     

    -Dave

    John Dykstra
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    31 May 2014 02:31 PM

    Hi Dave

     Read page 13 on time Restrictions and it refers to pg. 17. As I understand it 's those restrictions apply to those creeks and rivers listed only. If it is not listed then it is game on. 

    John Dykstra
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    31 May 2014 02:32 PM

    Hi Dave

     Read page 13 on time Restrictions and it refers to pg. 17. As I understand it 's those restrictions apply to those creeks and rivers listed only. If it is not listed then it is game on. 

    THOMAS RADEMACHER
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    01 Jun 2014 02:59 PM

    Dave,

       How much further is the claim from those cement pillars?  Walking distance with all my backpacking gear?  Can you explain the alternative route to me?  Do you camp up there or just day trips? I have a bit of an erratic schedule, but mostly go on weekends.  My equipment is relatively limited also....portable sluice box, hand dredge, shovel, gold pans etc.  

    DAVID NEWSOM
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    04 Jun 2014 05:18 PM
    Thomas, it would be nearly 7 miles to hike from the cement pillars. There's a new road just before the "Y" off the the right. It's 13 miles from there. I haven't made it all the way to the claim yet. We got stopped by the snow. I don't know how camping would be either. I'm hoping to find out soon.
    John Dykstra
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    18 Jul 2014 06:36 AM
    David are you talking about the Kevin claim?
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    18 Jul 2014 08:36 AM
    Yes, the Kevin claim

    -Dave
    MIKE ROMINE
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    18 Jul 2014 08:43 AM
    Western Montana here and I've only been to the Radersburg claim. It's a "dry" claim so you either have to classify there and wash your dirty elsewhere or dry it further and dry wash it onsite. So far I've only found small gold there but I've heard of others finding more. I chock that up to my inexperience.
    John Dykstra
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    18 Jul 2014 12:20 PM
    Dave did you see my reports on Kevin claim in the claims and leases section?
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    18 Jul 2014 02:25 PM
    I did and I contributed to the posts. I really want to get to that site and check it out. Probably next week if all goes well.
    John Dykstra
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    18 Jul 2014 05:53 PM
    Me to!
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    31 Jul 2014 07:01 PM
    I Made It! Kevin is a Beautiful piece of property, However, I am discouraged about the amount of gold I found. Perhaps I was just digging in the wrong spot or just too tired from the hike. I may try it again someday but for now, not my favorite claim
    John Dykstra
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    02 Aug 2014 11:18 AM
    At least you made it. Did you use nf 2349 that turns into nf152? How far did you have to hike? Any land marks to look for?
    MAURICE AUSTIN
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    05 Aug 2014 09:30 AM
    Hi Mike, Where in western MT? I am in missoula
    GARETH DAVIS III
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    07 Aug 2014 07:02 AM
    I live in Spokane. Looking to get out again soon. Trying to get Gazelle intense about paying off some debt so I need to find some color. I think I'm heading down to the claims in Clearwater County, ID. In September. Any info on those claims?
    Mark Baldassare
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    30 Jan 2015 12:41 PM
    I am interested I live in sequim, wa. I have a small truck and am very new to this but would love to start something with you. I just signed up as a member and waiting on my claims guide and other items. i am not sure how far spokane is from sequim but i am going to google it as soon as i am done with this reply.
    GARETH DAVIS III
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    31 Jan 2015 09:21 AM

    quite a drive from Sequim. 6hrs? Plenty of claims on the west side for you. I think there are a couple of chapters over there too. Happy hunting.

    Mark Baldassare
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    01 Feb 2015 09:20 PM
    ok thank you i will sure look into the chapters over here. thanks
    John Dykstra
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    02 Feb 2015 06:56 AM
    Time to start thinking about the Kevin claim again. I still have my notes on how to get there and will try around the mid of March.
    Peter Alexandrovich
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    04 Mar 2015 06:40 AM
    I only do detecting but I am curious about the Kevin claim. Think I will research it more when I get back and see if it's possible to get up there yet.

    Right now I am in Yuma visiting my parents and signed up with GPAA only to then find out that they have virtually no claims anywhere I am interested in. Nothing immediately around here and nothing through central Nevada. Kind of disappointing.
    Figure I may as well make the best of it and check out the one claim they do have near me at home. Not sure yet but I think I may actually be able to take my atv out the backside of the lake and ride into that claim. lol
    Won't do that but it might be interesting. I may take a drive up there as far as I can to at least familiarize myself with the area.

    Might as well make the best of it.
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    15 Mar 2015 04:45 AM
    Hey John, Its mid March and I was wondering if you tried getting to Kevin. Let me know if your going anytime soon and maybe I'll join you. Are you going to the gold show this weekend in CDA? I should be going Saturday. Take care
    John Dykstra
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    26 Mar 2015 08:22 PM
    David I take it I missed a gold show. As for Kevin not yet. I am putting a simple carpet kit together and will finish it this weekend. Thinking weekend of 4 April to try to make a run to explore the area. I would like a copilot if your inclined to make a run that way. The weekend of 11 Apr I am going to Duisenburg for a week of prospecting. Is there a way to contact you.
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    02 Apr 2015 10:14 AM
    509 863 3924. I have to work Saturday night. I could go Friday or very early Saturday morning but I need to be home by 3 to get some sleep. The weather isn't supposed to be great this weekend. I was considering driving to Libby Mt friday and seeing how the river is looking. Let me know what your thoughts are. You can text me or call.

    -Dave
    John Dykstra
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    06 Apr 2015 06:11 AM
    Yea the weather did not look good and the river by me is real high. My next chance to get out is the weekend of 25 Apr. or 2 May. You work nights so when is a good time to call? I will report on how my Duisenburg trip went when I get back on 18 Apr.
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    17 Jun 2015 05:06 AM
    Geez, I guess I am a little late responding, Sorry. How was duisenburg? I havent gone out very much this year so far. Ive been saving my pennies for an Alaska trip in July. Ill be hitting up abotu 5 different claims plus anything else I can dip a pan into. Hoping to bring some color home.

    I recently signed up with that North Idaho group. Are you familiar with them? I did hit up one of there claims a couple of weeks ago. I made a steep hike that about killed me. It was beautiful but I found no gold at all. Not sure why. I'd like to get to some of their other claims and see if my luck changes.

    Anyway, take care
    John Dykstra
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    24 Jun 2015 09:15 PM
    Had a great time in Duisenburg. Doing that type of prospecting is hard but fun. Learned a lot and will do better next time and I found a little color. I still have not made it out to the Kevin claim yet but I think the water is down enough to try. I am off Thursdays through Sundays now so if you want to go and help me find the Kevin claim let me know. I have a 4x4 Dodge Dakota pick up we can take.
    Vince Emery
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    12 Oct 2015 09:28 AM
    Hey folks, new guy here. In lewiston/Clarkston area. Wanting to get my 2.5" highbanker/dredge combo dirty.

    Vince
    oldhdrider@gmail.com
    John Dykstra
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    16 Nov 2015 01:21 PM
    I was looking at the gold and fish booklet and was looking at times on some creeks and rivers in Pend Oreille county. First the little Spokane river by the town of ELK and according to map quest is about 50 min. from Liberty lake. Then I ran across Lost creek just outside the town of Lost Creek on hwy 20. Has anyone in the Spokane area been in those areas?
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    13 Dec 2015 11:32 AM

    I work in Pend Oreille County. Lost Creek isnt really a town and I am not too familiar with the creek itself but I'll ask some of my deputies what they know about it. I've been up to Sullivan creek a couple times and I know there is quite a bit of color in there but its finding a spot to put in thats the problem. I found a nice spot the last time I went but it was hard to find much color. A small dredge would be the best thing for that creek. Looking for new spots though. So far, Libby Montana is my favorite place and I always find gold. Again, a small dredge though would prove to capture a lot more than just me and my sluice box

     

    Dave

    John Dykstra
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    28 Jan 2016 11:08 AM
    Hopefully before the end of March I can get out and check Lost creek. If not I will have to wait un till the end of April when I move to Minnesota to go prospect.
    patrick buroker
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    12 Mar 2016 08:15 PM
    I am in spokane wa just join the gpaa been trying to prospect have not had any success, building a side banker almost finished have a couple sluices and a lot of pans looking to hit some claims when it gets warmer.
    Vince Emery
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    14 Mar 2016 05:22 AM

    Morn'n Patrick,

    I'm about 1.5 hours South of you. I'm going to get up around Prichard, Id. and Eagle Creek this summer. There's a place to set up your camper and pay for some creek time on Eagle Creek. I've never been there but might be a fun place to spend a few days or a week.

    THOMAS RADEMACHER
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    18 Mar 2016 08:20 PM
    Vince,
    I stayed there a few years ago and we didn't get to prospect much because the weather was crappy. In the last newsletter I saw that the trailer area and many to most of the claims there are for sale. Not sure if that means they are closed or not.
    patrick buroker
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    18 Mar 2016 09:44 PM
    Anybody tried the one 11 miles out side of Libby Montana. i have not been to lost creek, but i have ran around up by flowery trail. still have not found any thing yet.
    Vince Emery
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    22 Mar 2016 06:12 AM

    Morn'n Thomas,

    Well I'll be darned! Just communicated with Bob early last week. I was asking about the road conditions around there and to the Kevin claim. He knows I'm going up there as soon as it clears up some. He didn't mention anything about the park or claims being closed. Could all be open until it sells though.

    I still want to get up to the Kevin claim. Might be a place to park the camper closer to the claim before the tight horseshoe turn just below the claim. Never been anywhere around that area. Read something a while back about some concrete pillers on the road there someplace. ?????  Guess I'll find out more when I get there.

    GARETH DAVIS III
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    22 Mar 2016 11:41 PM

    Vince. You won't get close to the Kevin claim. It's at least a mile hike from where the road is closed. The pillars you mentioned are on the wrong road. Check my profile and there are some photos I took a couple of years ago. Also search for 'Kevin' in the forum search field. Some better info for you. The claim book is wrong about how close you can get. 

    patrick buroker
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    09 May 2016 04:04 PM

     

    hi, Dave my name is pat I am in Spokane also and have tried, almost every thing north of town with no luck I would like to go to the libby claim I have built a pretty good high banker to really run material I have a engine ran pump on it but, not sure if they would allow that in there, we will have to go to that claim on a Saturday I work alot

    GARETH DAVIS III
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    09 May 2016 09:48 PM
    Posted By patrick buroker on 09 May 2016 04:04 PM

     

    hi, Dave my name is pat I am in Spokane also and have tried, almost every thing north of town with no luck I would like to go to the libby claim I have built a pretty good high banker to really run material I have a engine ran pump on it but, not sure if they would allow that in there, we will have to go to that claim on a Saturday I work alot

    Pat, The libby claim is no longer available to us. The owners took it away from the club. 


    charles nasser
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    24 May 2016 06:14 AM
    Still,lookin for partners to get it with? I realy wanna put a dredge to work for us I got hella gear got a dive hookah im new to wa i been throwing pans everywere. Im doing horible atlwast i think so, im from colfax i just learned i panned\ sniped 3\4oz lat year, i found like dust particles so far hete lol am i just spoiled? Fuck im going home then lom
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    16 Mar 2017 09:58 PM
    Sorry, I was a bit inactive for a while. I'm back now though and I'm ready to get out and find some color somewhere. Thinking about going to Portland next weekend for the Gold Show. Anyone ready to get out there?
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    16 Mar 2017 10:00 PM
    Wait, what?? The libby claim is not available anymore Gareth?? Man, I loved going up there. Are you sure?????
    Donald Ashley
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    19 Mar 2017 03:23 PM

     

    I am in Cheyenne Wyo and interested in Montana prospecting and claims.  Have not prospected there.

     

     

    Donald Ashley
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    19 Mar 2017 03:23 PM

     

    I am in Cheyenne Wyo and interested in Montana prospecting and claims.  Have not prospected there.

     

     

    Alejandro Urias
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    23 May 2017 08:27 PM
    hi my name is alex. I will be in Washington state at the end of june for about 5 days and I would like to take my family out digging or panning. do you know of a place I can take them for a day or 2. please let me know we can meet up. still trying to decide where to get a place to stay around Olympia area.
    DAVID NEWSOM
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    25 May 2017 08:50 AM
    Hi Alex, I do not know anyplace over by Olympia. One thing you may want to do though is go onto Washington Fish and Game website and download the Gold and Fish Pamphlet. You can probably pick it up at a sporting goods store as well. It is required to be on your person if your going to pan in Washington state. It also has a list of the areas within the state, the dates they are open as well as a list of the waters you can pan in. I'm on the other side of the state and the only place to go over here is only open in August. Washington state has some pretty messed up rules in regards to panning. Thats why I usually go to Montana or Idaho. Good Luck!!
    Alejandro Urias
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    25 May 2017 10:02 AM
    Thanks David for that info. Looks like we will be staying near ocean shores. Hopefully I can find a place to take my family to pan.
    Shawn Robinson
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    25 May 2017 10:37 PM
    Hey all I am Shawn. I live in Belgrade MT. This is my second season gold mining. I am looking to group with a few people if anyone is interested. Last season I pulled in 6.5 ounces of gold using gold hog equipment. I have several places within 50 to 60 miles of me that is leased to me to highbank with or if you are brave you can set up a stream sluice in the Missouri River. No dreadges pleases.
    JERRY BARTSCH
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    28 May 2017 03:31 PM
    try eagle park between murry and Prichard  Idaho its got some nice gold and a better bunch of people than the libby creek prospectors


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