Here is CJ, the stereotypical grizzled gold-rush prospector panning for gold. He was searching for “placer gold” or gold deposited in a waterway. Placer mining targets “native” cold that isn’t chemically bound up within the rock itself. The sources of all placer gold are “lodes” or veins of gold naturally formed within the rock. Ongoing weathering and erosion continue to expose new fragments of gold that wash downstream. Because gold is far denser than most rock (19.3 g/cc as opposed to about 2.7 g/cc) it is much less easily eroded from little pockets between large rocks ir in bedrock. Gold will accumulate in such places while other rock and sediments are washed downstream.
CJs Story: Legend has it that CJ lived in this cabin in the late 1800’s. he would walk the 5 mile trail over to the Crystal Lake Hard Rock Mining Operation were he was a Mucker. Like all Prospectors of the time, CJ had dreams of finding the “Mother Lode”.
Whenever he had some spare time, he would pan for gold in Layman Creek. He even dug a small plume and set up a sluice box. CJ’s great great grandson, CJ Mueller fixed up the cabin in the 1980’s and used it while he was training to set the world record for speed skiing.
If you are skiing Briar Rose on Peak 9, you may have noticed a sign to CJ’s Cabin. When snow conditions are right, you can ski right to the front door.