My California - A Bear, a Snake, and some Gold!
For this weeks Show Us Your California contest by @socalsteemit I go out into the wilderness to prospect for gold and end up getting face to face with some of the wild animals that live here in...
My California!!
Once again I headed up into the local mountains to my home away from home... the East Fork San Gabriel River! On this prospecting trip I found some good bedrock to clean off and I found some decent gold, but actually the more exciting part of this trip was dealing with an adolescent Black Bear... Bear #514!!
East Fork
Starting a new hole
Bear #514 coming into my camp
Bear #514
Bear #514
Bear #514
Bear #514
Face to face with Bear #514
He harassed me for multiple days, continually tearing up my tent despite me having all my food hanging safely up high in the Alder trees. I was always able to chase him off and he never got aggressive with me. But he just kept coming back! Then finally some boyscouts came hiking up the river and camped a few bends away from me and I didn't see the bear anymore... I figure he was busy harassing them instead! Despite feeling bad for the Scouts it was quite a relief.
Uncovering a bedrock ledge
My food buckets hanging safely counterbalanced in the Alder trees
Yellow Currant Berries at my camp
Purple Currant Berries at my camp
My hole
My hole
One morning when I went to start digging I found a Gopher snake in my hole. Which was pretty fun! Then eventually it came time for me to go, but I took my time on the hike out, enjoying all the awesome canyon scenery. I've seen it all a bunch of times... but the beauty of this massive canyon never gets old. And of course I found some gold! So all in all, it was another super awesome trip out on the East Fork!
Gopher snake in my hole
Gopher snake in my hole
The Gopher snake
Cleaning the bedrock
East Fork scenery
My Pup chillin' at camp
A small waterfall in an unnamed gulch
Pup cooling off in the river
Views from the trailhead at the end of a great trip
East Fork Gold!
Until next time...
I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into
My California!!
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Wow, that is a crazy bear experience! It’s good to know they have troublesome bears tagged so they can keep track of them. Also good that your dog didn’t get into any bear trouble either! Love that gold too!
It was wild! Usually the black bears I see run away as soon as they see me. Not this guy though. He was the Curious George of bears. lol.
That's a nice haul. How far are you hiking? I used to go all the way to the narrows but It was scary for me lol. When I get back to cali I want to go. Im in Orlando working.
This spot is around 8 miles from the trailhead. Up above the narrows. It gave me really nice gold for quite awhile, but I think I might be coming to the end of it. Might need to start looking for a new spot here soon. Let me know when you are back in Cali. I'm down to head up there for a day or two with you. We can checkout some spots that aren't so far.
I haven't done it in 10 years and never slept up there. I would hike in and out with all my shit lol. Do you know where the old gold mine entrance is near the bridge to nowhere? That was my best spot ever. Probably because it was on the property of the company that owns the bridge lol
I know of 2 mines down river from the bridge about a 1/2 mile, and one up river just around the next bend. I've heard about one right near the bridge, but I'm not personally familiar with it.
So basically if go under the bridge and then hike back toward the parking lot it will be on the right less a 1/4 mile from the bridge. Probably closer. I remember being able to hear some screams from people bungee jumping. The mine opening is cut into the side of the cliff about 4 ft up. The river outside and back towards the bridge is where I found of my gold. Only about 1/2 oz but I only went there 3 times and didn't dig deep. I would imagine it's loaded out there lol. I'm now 51 so I'm nervous about it. 10 years ago I would be sore for a week after lol. My buddy would bring my paydirt from the narrows and let me pan it lol. I love it!!!!
Ya, I'm not familiar with that mine. I'll definitely have to check it out! And I'm gonna have to checkout your spot too because a half ounce in 3 days is incredible! It took me years to get a half ounce.
well, I went to that spot 3 times over the years. It totaled 1/2 oz. It was the best spot I ever got.
Heck ya. That's awesome. Is this the spot?
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Seems like a great way to spend time in nature my friend.
Great also to see that you know how to handle the wildlife.
That area is beautiful indeed.
Blessings!
It's definitely a great excuse to enjoy some time out in the beauty of nature! Luckily I've never had any real problems with the wildlife here in California.
Blessings to you as well!
Hahaha, I also lately use any excuse to get out in nature my friend.
May you guys have a great Christmas.
Blessings!
You got a resteem.
Thanks @lichtblick!
He wants a bear. That's why he came and said hello.
Ya, I think he wanted to be my friend. lol. It was pretty wild!
Beautiful California!!! I enjoyed this article, @derekrichardson! I am from Northern California.
Take care, my friend 🥰🌺🤙
Awesome! Always good to meet another California Steemian. If you 'd ever like to enter the #mycalifornia contest by @socalsteemit we'd love to see your posts!
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