Last Post 31 Oct 2020 02:22 PM by  ALTON OAKES
Now a good time of year to sluice the Arkansas River in Colorado?
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Michael Holst
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17 Sep 2020 02:21 PM
    Also anyone ever had luck in either of the Hardscrabble Creeks?

    I'm thinking about heading to Point Barr...

    In Southwest Missouri, this is some of the closest gold to me 👍

    ANDREW CATALANO
    Greenhorn
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    18 Sep 2020 07:51 AM
    This is a good time of year for the Arkansas river. Water is at 257 cfm( average for this time of year is 347).

    I have done test pans on north hardscrabble creek with no luck. The road for south hardscrabble creek was closed after wildfires and the rangers don't plan on re-opening it ever.
    Michael Holst
    Greenhorn
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    22 Sep 2020 12:53 AM
    Thank you!

    Same with test pans on North Hardscrabble, no luck.

    Excited to go back now with more experience and tools. Are Point Barr and the GPAA claim by Buena Vista good for newbs with a sluice box?

    Thanks again
    Michael Sargent
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    22 Oct 2020 11:57 PM
    Point Barr is not too bad.
    But most gold you find there will be -50 or smaller.
    Also be aware of the CO state park fees for accessing that area.
    Arkansas River is a bit low in general this time of year but you will be able to find a spot to work a sluice. But make sure to do some test pans before you setup your equipment. Gold can be very spotty there.
    And as always refill your holes and try to leave the area better than you found it.
    ALTON OAKES
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    31 Oct 2020 02:22 PM
    Used both a ClearGold sluice and Keene A52 sluice south of the Raid Road Bridge 15-18 October 2020. Water was down and access to gravel bars was excellent. Found several spots with abundant fine gold. Adjusted sluice water flow to move gravel at 1' per second and initially classified to 1/8 inch. Increased classification to 1/4" and got good results also. On previous trips have classified to 1/2" and 3/4" but needed faster flow to keep the sluice clear - and blew out most of the fines I could have saved. I have never found a picker that would not have passed through a 1/4" screen. If you don't mind the cold water, from October to Memorial Day is all good, in my opinion.
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