quill THE

PROSPECTOR’S

www.gpoc.com

Photo by Lin
official publication of The Gold Prospectors of Colorado vol. 37 no. 10
PO Box 1593, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901

Letter
From Your President
Fellow
    Prospectors:
     The Elections are this month folks,
come one come all, voice your
2
nominations and even consider what
you could volunteer for in the future to
help the club to prosper. This is an
opportunity to be on the Board of
Directors and have a vote on every
decision that comes across the table.
The Board meets once a month and
your volunteer time is one evening per
month. This is a volunteer organization
that is dependent upon volunteers to
make it function and
inside
blossom with every persons input.
     The need for a committee to be President’s Letter
formed for the Christmas Party is upon Contacts
us and volunteers are needed to help Gold Championships 3
in coordinating the evenings events. If
Minutes 4
you would like to volunteer for this
committee please feel free to contact Frank Burn’s Award
Bob Hale at (719)-313-3383. We have October Calendar 5
a need for people to cook turkeys and Yearly Calendar
brisket, help with decorations, setup
and cleanup.   Dredges 6
Field Trip Oct. 8th 7
continued on next page

october
G LD NUGGETS is a blog for and by GPOC members. The intent of Gold
Nuggets is to grow to be an informational hub for members so they may keep up to

2010
date with news and events going on with GPOC. We encourage any member to email
the webmaster any news or information. You are not able to directly add
information onto the blog. Information you would like to add needs to be sent to the
webmaster, Stacey Smith, at www.gpoc.com
 President Treasurer
Ben Higley Bill Smith
president@gpoc.com treasure@gpoc.com
GPOC
Vice President
contacts Wayne Wittkopp
Webmaster
Stacey Smith
vicepresident@gpoc.com
webmaster@gpoc.com
Secretary
Elise Pearce Editor
Lin Smith
secretary@gpoc.com
quill@gpoc.com
President’s letter, continued
 
     Amazing how much yellow gold Iʼve seen come out of
the ground this month folks! I've never seen so many
people in one hole at one time, but of course, this is no
ordinary hole in the ground. Our New Member outing this
month produced a lot of interest and unearthed a
tremendous amount of precious metals. On Saturday the
11th of September 38 people worked in shifts and on
teams throughout the day. On Sunday our numbers
diminished slightly to a roaring earth moving 22, making
the pit a little more navigable. Many of the people
involved helped me with the reclamation efforts that they
saw me struggling with on the previous day. My gratitude
to those who so graciously took time out of their playtime
to do so.
 Bob Butler: From Buena Vista who so
generously donated his equipment and
knowledge for the weekend for our new
members to use.
Jerry Belver: From Breckenridge, who came
out to help and setup for the weekend.
Ron Novak: From La Veta, drove all that way to
help setup and break down.
Oscar Warner: From the Western Slope, also
volunteered his equipment to our members for
the weekend
Joe Aldridge: From Arkansas, who helped in
coordinating the event and helped everyone,
member and nonmember alike, in showing
where the outing was and how to get involved.
          The Denver Gem and Mineral show was a lot of
fun and my heart felt thanks to all who volunteered and
made the show a relaxing and pleasurable experience.
We made some very good friends and relationships this
year and even had a group from our club after the show
volunteer in helping the show committee in
disassembling and packing the display cases in crates
and stacking them on pallets for transport. They fed us
dinner and then we helped some senior citizen vendors
pack-up their store to help them on their way.
Nevertheless we have sparked an interest in many other
clubs as to how we have so many willing volunteers that
seem to enjoy these sort of activities. The topic of our
outings came up and the invites we offer to other cubs
for joint ventures to different claims for various minerals
Contact Info Trustees
for all club activities One Year
Bob Hale Patrick Hill
(719)213-3383
Two Year
School Events Gary Beaderstadt
Phil Vigil Three Year
(719) 391-9975 Vacant
Membership
Claims
membership@gpoc.com
Richard Stockton
claims@gpoc.com
in Colorado. Not that everyone in our organization has a
liking for raw gems, jewels and thousands of other
minerals that riddle our majestic mountain state but it
gives us a chance to learn from knowledgeable
geologists and mineralogist's how our once volcanic and
oceanic home has come to be what it is today. 
         Our New Member Outing, perhaps my last as
President if someone else volunteers and is voted in, is
going to be at Prospector 1 and 2 on the Arkansas River
North of Howard, Colorado. Here we will expect to see
our last outing of the season and unfortunately I
mistakenly announced in our last meeting that we would
have equipment there to run, but the motorized season
ends on September 30th. We will be learning how to use
long toms and rocker boxes as well as fine tuning our
sluicing and panning techniques. Circulatory and electric
devices are welcome and volunteers are needed to do
demonstrations with those units during the non-
motorized season. 
        Thank you to everyone who has made this a
successful year. It has been a pleasure and honor to
have served you during the procession of our calendar
of events. Good prospecting to you and we will see you
out there on the mineral trail and in the gold belt.
                                                                              
Sincerely, Big Ben  
The Prospector’s Quill is the official newsletter of the Gold
Prospectors of Colorado. The opinions are those of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect those of the club or its members.
The editor, club, officers, and contributors do not assume any
liability for damages resulting from use of information in the
Prospector’s Quill. Articles of interest are welcomed. All articles
submitted for publication are subject to editing.
Submission of articles must be received before the 20th of the
month. Unless noted, non-profits may reprint or quote from
articles, provided credit is given to the author’s and publication
and a copy of the newsletter the article appears in is sent to
the editor of The Prospectorʼs Quill at PO Box 1593, CS CO
80913.
quill@gpoc.com Lin
 2010 Colorado State G LD Panning Championship Results
MENS LADIES STATE JUNIOR’S

1 Gary Beaderstadt Shirley Weilnau Gary Beaderstadt Trey Dove

2 Ben Higley Sue Drewes Ben Higley Harry Dove
3 Larry Weilnau Linda Jent Shirley Weilnau Julia Davis

OLD TIMERS NATIONAL STYLE WORLD’S DRY

1 Gary Beaderstadt Larry Weilnau Shirley Weilnau

2 Shirley Weilnau Gary Beaderstadt Glenn Beattie
3 Harry Dove Benjamin Higley Robert Ogilvie

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 TEAM 3

Shirley Weilnau Craig Koretoff Bill Smith

Larry Weilnau Gary Beaderstadt Benjamin Higley
Glenn Beattie Wayne Wittkopp Ted Westcott Photos by Lin

Team 1st

Ladies

Team 2nd World’s Dry

Team 3rd

Mens

Harry Dove
State
 GOLD PROSPECTORS OF COLORADO

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES 08 SEP 10

7:13 p.m. Meeting called to order by President Ben Higley with the
Pledge of Allegiance.
7:15 p.m. President Ben Higley welcomed all new members, and asked
that they introduce themselves. Seven new members
welcomed to the club.
7:23 p.m. Gold closing price for today was $1,255.20 per oz.
7:24 p.m. President Ben Higley announced that effective tonight, the Frank Burns Memorial
resignation of Treasurer Helen Bennett & 3rd year Trustee Sportsmanship Award 2010
Robert Bennett.
Ben Higley
7:26 p.m. President Ben Higley announced that nominations are open for
2011 board positions. Next month’s meeting will be conducted Frank Burns was a founding member
and the first Secretary of the GPOC. In
by Patrick Hill & Gary Beaderstadt. Voting will be conducted by 1978 Frank contracted cancer. He told
secret ballot. If you wish to nominate anyone, including his brother about the club and his joy
yourself please see Trustee Gary Beaderstadt. of being a member. After his death his
7:29 p.m. President Ben Higley with the assistance of Webmaster Stacey brother sent the club money and asked
Smith discussed nomination & voting of new interim treasurer. the club to do something with it in
Nominees will give brief statement before break and voting will Frank’s name. The club purchased a
take place after break. Nominees from the floor are: Richard plaque which is given to a deserving
Richards & Bill Smith. member each year after the Gold
7:38 p.m. President Ben Higley announced that the BLM has requested Panning Championships. To receive the
plaque a member must attend the
GPOC remove claim markers on “Prospector 3”, but Championships and be selected by a
prospecting is still allowed. He also reiterated that the “Toby’s majority vote of the other attending
Hope” claim to the North is still a private claim, and to make members. Voter’s select the member
sure members are aware of where they are prospecting. who displays the most sportsmanship
7:40 p.m. The board members have voted to table (place on hold) the during the Championships. Their name
updates to the Constitution & By-laws until next year. The is placed on the plaque and they keep
board has also requested that the Quill Editor, Linda Smith it until the next voting.
secure a new printing facility closer to Colorado Springs for Photo by Lin
GPOC printing requirements.
7:43 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the Denver Gem & Mineral Show on
September 17-19, sign-up lists are up front.
If you are interested in saving costs
7:46 p.m. President Ben Higley introduced the new Claims Committee
Chairman, Richard Stockton. Richard announced the next for publishing The Prospector’s
Claims Committee meeting will be on October 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Quill you
at WMMI, Colorado Springs. can access it online in full color at
7:53 p.m. New member outing will be this weekend at Cache Creek. www.gpoc.com. You just need to
High-Banking will be the primary equipment being used. email membership@gpoc.com and
7:55 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the Christmas Party Committee. let them know that you will no
Please see Elise to sign up. longer need to have The
8:07 p.m. Webmaster Stacey Smith discussed the activity on the website. Prospector’s Quill mailed to you.
150 viewers of the “Quill”, 500 viewers of our map sites.
8:09 p.m. Webmaster Stacey Smith discussed the voting for “Frank
Burns” award. This award is for outstanding sportsmanship at
the Colorado State Gold Panning Championships. Nominees
are anyone who attended the championship; voter’s are Quill Advertising Rates
anyone that attended the championship. CONTACT OVER 2,000 GPOC
8:09 p.m. Nominees for interim treasurer came forward and gave brief MEMBERS
remarks. Nominee Richard Richards rescinded his nomination. quill@gpoc.com
8:15 p.m. Break for 15 minutes. Allow for a 3/8” margin on all sides of your
8:35 p.m. Voting for Interim Treasurer. Bill Smith elected by vote of 60 advertisement. Payment must be
yea, 1 nay. received before placement. Send
8:37 p.m. Bill Smith conducted door prize drawing. advertisement with check to: GPOC Quill
8:54 p.m. Voting results for “Frank Burns” Award, and the winner is Mr. Editor, PO Box 1593, CS, CO 80901
Big Ben Higley. Deadline for placement 20th of the
8:55 p.m. President Ben Higley introduced the guest speaker for the month
meeting. Mr. Ben Higley spoke about “High-Banking”. Thank Sizes are approximate
you! Prices Per Issue
8:40 p.m. Meeting closed. Business Card Size $ 6.00 4” x 5” (1/4
page) $12.00 5” x 8” (half page) $24.00
 meetings events events events
october
calendar 7th 1st 9th 16th-17th
Family New Member
Board Meeting Haunted Mines
Exploration Outing
Western Mining Prospector 1 & 2
For further 7:00 PM
Museum Western Mining Museum
information contact: 4125 Center Park 8AM
7 PM 225 North Gate Rd.
Drive CS, CO
225 North Gate Rd. CS, CO Long Tom’s &
Bob Hale CS, CO Rocker Boxes
(719) 213-3383

www.wmmi.org/ Bob Hale

www.gpoc.com president@gpoc.com www.wmmi.org/
(719) 213-3383
(719)488-0880 (719)488-0880

13th 2nd 9th

REMEMBER TO CARRY
General Claims Field Trip YOUR GPOC
Membership Committee Niobrara Formation MEMBERSHIP CARD
Meeting Trinidad Rest Area WITH YOU WHILE ON
Elections This Western Mining Museum
9:00 AM GPOC CLAIMS. PLEASE
7:00 PM 10:00 AM
Month 3400 N.Nevada 225 North Gate Rd.
COOPERATE WITH ANY
MEMBER WHO MAY
CS, CO You must bring your “Yam” Yamiolkoski REQUEST PROOF OF
Elections membership card! (719) 488-5526 YOUR RIGHT TO BE ON
www.gpoc.com for GPOC CLAIMS

Bob Hale Richard Stockton form to register

(719) 213-3383 (719) 213-3383

2010 GPOC CALENDAR

Motorized Season No notice level operations are authorized to help protect brown trout during the
Sept. 30th
Ends fish spawning period (October 1 to March 31) on the Arkansas River
Oct. 1st Haunted Mines 225 N. Gate Rd., CS, CO 7PM (719)488-0880 www.wmmi.org/
2nd Claims Committee 225 N. Gate Rd., CS, CO 10AM Richard Stockton 719-233-0098
7th Board Meeting 4125 Center Pk. Dr. CS, CO 7PM president@gpoc.com Sand Creek Police Station
Family Exploration
9th 225 N. Gate Rd., CS, CO 10-3 (719)488-0880 www.wmmi.org/
Day
GPOC General Bob Hale
13th 3400 N. Nevada, CS, CO 7PM BOARD ELECTIONS
Meeting (719) 213-3383
New Member Bob Hale
16th-17th Prospector 1 & 2 8AM Non-motorized equipment
Outing (719) 213-3383
Nov. 4th Board Meeting 4125 Center Pk. Dr., CS, CO 7PM president@gpoc.com Sand Creek Police Station
Reclamation, www.wmmi.org/
4th 225 N. Gate Rd., CS, CO (719)488-0880
ranching, mining reservations required
GPOC General Bob Hale
10th 3400 N. Nevada, CS, CO 7PM Silent Auction
Meeting (719) 213-3383
www.wmmi.org/
27th Gold Assay Class 225 N. Gate Rd., CS, CO (719)488-0880
reservations required
30th Cache Creek closed for season
Dec. 2nd Board Meeting 4125 Center Pk. Dr., CS, CO 7PM president@gpoc.com Sand Creek Police Station
GPOC General Bob Hale Christmas Dinner
8th 3400 N. Nevada, CS, CO 7PM
Meeting (719) 213-3383 Toyʼs For Totʼs
 Characteristics of Dredges
Location, size of gravels, altitude, temperature, amount of rock that must be moved by hand, depth one is
working at, size of motor & pump combination, additional equipment (such as compressor size) &
Nozzle accessories, are the pumps belt driven or shaft mounted, are the pumps “free standing” or “centrifugal”
Cubic
Size
Dredge Size & Engine Size Yards Tons per Weight Depth jetting pumps, manufactures intended design, size and type of engine, temperature of the area, clogs, &
inches mechanical breakdowns, operators skill, knowledge and stamina, accessibility, material density, soil
Type Horsepower per Hour pounds capability conditions, geology, amount of water, cost of replacement parts and reliability, all can influence performance
inside
Hour and recovery.
diameter
Dredge Pros Dredge Cons
Commercial 8 36 10-30 14.8-44.5 2,500 70 feet Good size for commercial Heavy unit. Manning the hose and moving the rocks will need at
least two people to make productive use.Legally limited in which
Dredge or operations. It is capable of
waters they can be used. Substantial investment. Logistics and
2x18 processing a fair amount of
transportation of material from remote areas. Need proper depth of
material in a short period of water in order to float and maneuver, may not be able to use in
time. shallow waters. Expensive to run motor.
Dredge Pros Dredge Cons
Surface Sluice is above the water and can be located on the river bank or on the water. More stable if on the Use of diver needed in hard packed areas of large rocks The
Dredge bank. Most popular, versatile and efficient. Can be used with or without diving equipment. This can intake size is the diameter of the inside of the nozzle, which
be a cost savings. Diving experience is not a requirement. Use of a three-stage sluice box aids in feeds into the hose. Be familiar with your state laws as some
the recovery of very fine gold and black sands. The power jet is located closer to the sluice box states define the size of the dredge to be the diameter of the
restricting ring on the nozzle tip, hence a manufacturers 5
creating a stronger flow. The tailings can be deposited further away from the unit so the need to re-
inch gold dredge is considered a 4 inch gold dredge by DFG
dredge not as great as in underwater dredge. Riffle tray (sluice box) is larger so more gold is (Department of Fish and Game) regulations (2008). Heavier
recovered than with an underwater dredge. Reasonably priced. Can be used with or without diving than underwater dredge so not as portable. If not diving
equipment & diving knowledge is not necessary saving costs. cannot see material as well. Requires more fuel to operate.
Underwater Can be simpler to work for a longer time due to the fact that only the suction hose needs to be Awkward to handle when submerged. Must be held rigid &
Dredge handled and not the entire sluice box. Because the unit is submerged the material is not sent to the level when underwater. They can’t reach hard to get at
(Submersible) surface and more material can be processed. Designed for compactness and portability, making it places. Diving experience needed. May fall over. Gold in the
easier to pack into a remote area. Can pump a greater amount of material using less power than the riffle tray may be lost. Must be submerged to work. Limited
surface dredge. Used to sample more than actual recovery. Good for removing large amounts of because primarily used for sampling. The operator is closer
overburden. If you are operating (diving) underwater your vision of the location may be better to the point of discharge. The need to re-dredge in heavier
helping you to spot hot spots, dangers such as loose boulders or submerged logs , etc. Popular for over burdened areas may occur. Their recovery systems
deeper diving. must be smaller resulting in poorer gold recovery. If adding
diving equipment higher cost & requiring more knowledge,
experience & physical stamina. More equipment=more
things to go wrong or wear out. Partner needs to be well
trained in rescue and safety.
Subsurface Water and material is pumped into a sluice box which is underwater. Their recovery systems can be Water undercurrent must be moving slowly or not at all.
Dredge larger than those in an underwater dredge of the same hose diameter. Can pump about twice as A fast current can pull on the sluice box dumping your gold.
much material as a surface dredge. Gold recovery is better than in an underwater dredge. The water must be deep enough so that the sluice can be
Good to use when there is a lot of overburden. Less fuel is required to power than the surface suspended under the floatation platform. Because the sluice
dredge which may make it more portable. When the sluice sits below the surface of the water, it is underwater it can bump against rocks or debris, become
reduces lift, increasing the suction power. Can be lighter than a surface dredge so easier to off balance and dump your gold. Not as efficient for
transport. More effective than the surface dredge in recovering coarser gold. Ease in moving prospecting as it may miss the fine gold. If you lift the nozzle
because you only have to move the hose, this may allow you to work for longer periods because you out of the water the blast may “blow” your gold out of the
won’t tire so easily. Gives you the advantages of the surface and underwater dredge by having good sluice. Tailings buildup quicker than with a surface dredge.
gold recovery and the large capacity of the underwater dredge. Has a longer sluice box than the You have to keep moving the dredge to prevent buildup of
underwater dredge. tailings or they jam the sluice box. Its easy to slip on a rock
or have the current trip you up when removing the sluice box.
 Gold Panning And Prospecting for Fun HOOKED ON GOLD

FREE Gold Panning Tips and Information!

GPOC Meets the 2nd Wednesday
Read our equipment reviews and Prospectors Blog
of Every Month at the Elk’s Club
Finding Gold, Metal Detecting, Dredging
3400 N. Nevada Colorado Springs, Colorado
Site changes weekly! Visit often!
www.gpoc.com
www.hookedongold.com

FOSSIL COLLECTING IN THE NIOBRARA FORMATION

This Field Trip is an invitation from GPOC Member Diana Anderson and
Name of Field Trip
Kathryn Osborn, both longtime members of GPOC. For the complete form
go to www.gpoc.com
Date of Trip Oct 9, 2010
We will meet our hosts Kathryn Osborn and Dianna Anderson at the State of Colorado
Meeting Place Trinidad Rest Area just north of Trinidad.
Time to Meet 9:00 AM
Field Trip Leader Ronald “Yam” Yamiolkoski
Telephone Number (719)488-5526
Cell Phone Number (719) 351-5548 Don’t use except on the day of the Field Trip
E-mail Address yamofthewest@gmail.com
Location of Field Trip Near Delhi, CO
This Field Trip is limited to 15 Vehicles (Approx. 30 people) (Junior members and anyone
Limitation on Number or Participants or under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult - not recommended for
Other Issues children). NOTE: SIGNUP FOR THIS FIELD TRIP WILL BE CLOSED AT 12:00 NOON
ON FRIDAY, October 8TH.
We will be visiting private property for the purpose of collecting primarily marine fossils
from the Niobrara Formation. Reportedly, we will be able to collect baculites, ammonites,
Brief Description of Field Trip belemnites, and "clams". The property owner reserves the right to keep any find or
release it for compensation.
Are there any Special Costs such as Possible cost associated with acquiring a specimen from the owner.
Admission Charge
Collectible Materials, if any: NOTE: Reportedly, we will be able to collect baculites, ammonites, belemnites, and "clams". The
SPECIFY IF COLLECTING CANNOT BE property owner reserves the right to keep any find or release it for compensation.
DONE
A PU or 4WD vehicle is required. We will be traveling some distance on dirt roads. If
Vehicle Requirements they are wet, the FT may need to be postponed.

Physical Limitation Concerns, Including No special limitations, but not recommended for anyone requiring assistance in walking.
Accessibility to Handicapped The weather could be hot at this time of the year.
Individuals:
PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR (SAFETY GLASSES) and Sun Screen are strongly
recommended.. Removal of fossils can require, chisels, hammers, crowbars, picks and
Equipment or Tools Recommended or shovels. Some fossils may require a rock hammer, smaller chisels, brushes and of
Required: course wrapping material. In addition to wearing long heavy duty pants, it is
recommended that you bring: a hat, work gloves, knee pads, collecting container, and
boxes for storage and to prevent damaging of specimens in transit.
The area is quite remote and we will not be in proximity of water or sanitary facilities after
Availability of Water and Sanitary
we leave the rest area. The nearest commercial facilities are in Trinidad, LaJunta, or
Facilities:
Walsenburg, Colorado.
It can (and probably will) be hot even in October. Make sure you bring adequate liquids.
Sun screen is strongly recommended. Layered clothes work well as it warms during the
day. Remember to bring food. Control your trash. Do not wander off and follow all
Additional Comments instructions. You will be required to sign a release form prior to departing the rest area.
Also, don't forget to thank our hosts - Kathryn Osborn (owner) and Diana Anderson.
There are critters in the area including rattle snakes and scorpions, so be extra
careful - we are a long way from a doctor.
 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE GOLD PROSPECTORS OF COLORADO
MEMBERSHIP ( ) INDIVIDUAL $25 (18 years and over) ( ) FAMILY $30 (Includes members under age 18)
Gold Panning & Prospecting
Please For
look at your Prospector’s QuillFun
mailing label. The month and year on it tells you when you need to renew
REMINDER FREE Gold Panning Tips Informative!
your membership dues
GPOC Meets the 2nd Wednesday Read our equipment reviews and Prospectors Blog.
NAME
of every Month at the Elk’s Club Answers to your questions: Finding Gold, Metal Detecting,
SPOUSES NAME
3400 N. Nevada Dredging.
ADDRESS
Colorado Springs, Colorado Site changes weekly! Visit often!
CITY, STATE, ZIP
www.hookedongold.com
EMAIL PHONE NUMBER
NAME OF CHILD BIRTH DATE
NAME OF CHILD BIRTH DATE
NAME OF CHILD BIRTH DATE
NAME OF CHILD BIRTH DATE
EQUIPMENT OWNED ( ) SLUICE ( ) HIGH BANKER ( ) DREDGE ( ) DRY WASHER

INTERESTS

The Prospector’s Quill ( ) Yes ( ) No In order to save postage I will access the monthly Quill from www.gpoc.com,
Mail Application to: GPOC Membership, PO Box 1593, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901

GOLD PROSPECTORS OF COLORADO

PO BOX 1593
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
80901
quill
The Prospector’s