Copper Gulch, Doing the research and gettin' out there! Options

[Caveman]

Well, after checking with LR2000, all I was able to find are "closed" claims in the area I want to hit, so now, off to the County Clerk & Recorder to do a final check. This Sunday or Monday are possibilities, if not, then 2 weeks from Saturday - maybe. MikeS - how's the mineral research going?

[Crusty]

I'm good for Sun or Mon, but with a 60% chance of rain Sun, I'd prefer Mon.

[Caveman]

I'm good for Sun or Mon, but with a 60% chance of rain Sun, I'd prefer Mon.

Roger that, Crusty - NewRockHounder? MikeS? EMac? Woody? How about you guys? Up for some digging?

[Crusty]

What are we digging for in that neck of the woods? Recommended gear? Are we hiking in or close to our vehicles?

Looking forward to it!!

[Caveman]

Mike is working on what we are looking for, and I would recommend good boots, gloves, a jacket, a rain poncho or jacket, good work gloves, rock pick, hammer, shovel, hand trowels, chisels, brushes, pry's - Mike? What would you bring?

Water is a necessity. So are the gloves.

I will have my Estwing miners pick, so a pickax isn't necessary, and I will have spud bars in the truck too.

Edit: We will not be that far physically from the cars.... Time wise, though, well - it's a steep ridge area.

[EMac]

Roger that, Crusty - NewRockHounder? MikeS? EMac? Woody? How about you guys? Up for some digging?

I can't make it this Sunday and have to work Monday (saving vacation for the upcoming holidays), but keep me in mind for 2-weeks from Saturday please! Maybe Jessie and I can carpool down that way.

[Caveman]

That would be very cool! Will do.

[Rockyrat]

So I may be interested in coming down and meeting several of you as well as putting my toe into the waters of what others seem to indicate is more of an addiction than a hobby (in a good way of course). I have been reading numerous posts in all of the forums for a little while now and this may be something that would be a good personal introduction. Ok, with that said I do have a couple of questions.

1) Where (kind of specifically) are you thinking of going? Google maps shows Copper Gulch as being Southwest of Canon City. Close enough to the Springs for me to do the one day jaunt.

2) I would like to bring my 13 year old daughter with me. I really haven't seen on any posts were members have brought their kid(s) with them. She likes to look for rocks, and I want to make sure that if she was to come that this would be something that she may enjoy and not be too serious for her. So, how serious will this adventure be?

That's it, for now...

[Dypheron]

Count us in for monday as well!

[Caveman]

Count us in for monday as well!

Very cool! Glad you will be there.

[Woody]

that all sound good,

I cant go this weekend though. It is opening day for rifle season and I will be bird-doggin' for my dad. He is getting up there and any year now might be his last to hunt, so understandably I wil be up there with him.

On a side note; as we speak my dog Aspen is giving birth and I am holding a 4 hour puppy in my lap as I type this. I got to go for now, daddy duty is calling.

[Caveman]

So I may be interested in coming down and meeting several of you as well as putting my toe into the waters of what others seem to indicate is more of an addiction than a hobby (in a good way of course). I have been reading numerous posts in all of the forums for a little while now and this may be something that would be a good personal introduction. Ok, with that said I do have a couple of questions.

1) Where (kind of specifically) are you thinking of going? Google maps shows Copper Gulch as being Southwest of Canon City. Close enough to the Springs for me to do the one day jaunt.

2) I would like to bring my 13 year old daughter with me. I really haven't seen on any posts were members have brought their kid(s) with them. She likes to look for rocks, and I want to make sure that if she was to come that this would be something that she may enjoy and not be too serious for her. So, how serious will this adventure be?

That's it, for now...

Go thru Canon City and up over the pass to Parkdale and turn left on CR3 (Copper Gulch Rd), follow to the split off to Royal Gorge and bear right, staying on Copper Gulch. Go about 3.6 miles from that split to a pull out on the right. We will meet there. We are still working out which section to go to, but this is a good meeting spot.

Yes, bring your daughter.

[MikeS]

Work is a bit slow which should give me the chance to take Monday off. If that does not work out we can shoot for a few weeks down the road.

Most of the old mines nearby are metal ore based (primarily silver and copper) which should at least give a chance at some of the copper ores like Azurite and Malachite.
Usually when there is that many productive metal mines around there is a chance for gold as well.
While researching nearby areas (Canon, Royal Gorge, Texas Creek, etc.) I came up with an impressive list of other things that we may be able to find there:
Beryl (green), Quartz (clear, white, Amethyst, Agate, Jasper), Tourmaline (Black, and a gemmy variety called Elbaite that can be green, pink, and lilac colors), Columbite-Tantalite, Feldspar, Marble, Selenite, Mica (Muscovite, Biotite), Fluorite(purple).

As far as rock equip. Leave the heavy stuff in the car or at home. Usually the first investigation of an area is reading surface rocks and old mine tailings (if any) on the surface. More footwork and looking than hard diggin. I carry a pick, small shovel, eye loupe, rock books, maps and the basics for the Rocky Mountains in Fall.
I don't have the BLM map for that area so you should bring yours Caveman to make sure we are on grounds open for mineral entry as we go.
I have not had the chance to double check lr2000 but will this evening.

[Crusty]

Sounds like we've got a plan coming together! I've got room for 3 more in my truck if anyone wants to car pool!

Copy, standard rockhounding gear in the pack with some heavier artillery in the truck if we find something good and need to get serious lol

[MikeS]

In this case I will bring my 2 metal detectors as well. Even if there is no gold, they may help us find deposits of the other metals. I will also have a GPS unit and a digital scale so we can even do a specific gravity test in the field if want to.

RockyRat, I have not been there yet but it sounds like it won't be too serious of an adventure. Caveman says it's a little steep in spots but not far from the vehicles.
None of us have prospected this spot before as far as I know and we all may come home empty handed except with a fun day and new friends! For dipping your toes in this may actually be a good trip (weather permitting) because this is how it starts for a prospector. Exploring new turf.