The 2007 season for Moore Creek is over. We ran a short season in 2007 due to exploration activities at the mine in July. The 2007 season has been very successful, with a considerable investment made in upgrading the facilities. A large percentage of 2007 visitors have indicated a desire to return in 2008 and so we have decided to continue on in 2008. New in 2008 will be bulldozer and excavator support for our visitors to help making our gold easier to find than ever. We were hoping to be using cabins instead of tents but once again delays in permitting means we will be using tents once again in 2008.
New also in 2008 is that Steve Herschbach will replace John Pulling as the "prospectors assistant". John will still be around but will be busy with our exploration program. Steve's main job is to help people find gold, and in particular he plans to work with detecting novices to try and help them have a better chance at detecting that big nugget!
News Flash - Moore Creek will be featured on the Travel Channel's Best Places to Find Cash and Treasures Show after December. Check your local listings for exact time. Look for the episode on Hope, Alaska. Moore Creek is in the second half of that episode.
The fee is $2500 for a weeks stay at Moore Creek in 2008. This does not include travel expenses. Each trip starts with a 8:15 AM flight on Peninsula Air (PenAir) from Anchorage to McGrath, arriving at 9:15 AM. Several flights on Redline Air will take visitors and baggage to Moore Creek starting about 10:00 AM, with all arriving at Moore Creek by about 1:00 PM depending on weather. Hunting for gold will not commence until everyone has settled into camp and attended a mandatory Introductory Meeting to provide everyone with basic information and to answer any questions. However, you will be able to start looking for gold on your day of arrival, and since it is light at Moore Creek past 11:00 PM some who have the energy after all the travel will have their first gold the day they arrive at Moore Creek.
Departures begin the following week in the afternoon, but may be earlier of later depending on weather conditions. On arrival in McGrath most people will be staying at either the Hotel McGrath Bed & Breakfast or The Takusko House. Meal options are limited in McGrath on Monday evening, so we advise eating your fill before departing Moore Creek. Both the Hotel McGrath and Takusko House serve breakfast before your morning departure. You will be leaving McGrath at 9:45 in the morning and arrive back in Anchorage at 10:45 AM.
Note that there is a "day off" between weeks. People who book for consecutive weeks get the benefit of an extra day for free.
We can hold spaces for a short time based on verbal communications but ultimately we must have a paid deposit to hold your space. We have one 6" dredge that is available each week to the first person who pays a deposit and requests to reserve it for the week.
Here is the schedule for 2008. Deposits are noted when received. Please advise us immediately of any discrepancies.
5/08/08 - 7 of 60 openings remaining
Week 1 - Leave Anchorage to Moore Creek Tuesday June 3rd, return to McGrath
Monday June 9th, return to Anchorage June 10th
Note on Week 1 - We recommend that
people wishing to highbank and dredge consider later weeks since there will
still be lots of frozen ground a foot down this early in the spring.
- Keith M, Baker City, OR - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Paul W, Bethel, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Krzysztof Z, Kinnelon, NJ - PAID FULL & Signup Received (3rd Year Returnee)
- Bob D, Eagle River, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received (3rd Year Returnee)
- Eric P, Austin, TX - PAID FULL & Signup Received (2nd Year Returnee)
- Ted G, Gloucester, Canada - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Larry C, Springfield, OR - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Rusty P, Tucson, AZ - PAID FULL & Signup Received (3rd Year Returnee)
- Michel Z, Brussels, Belgium - PAID FULL & Signup Received (3rd Year Returnee)
- Gaine H, Hilo, HI - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Dave M, Sandusky, OH - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Mike P, Gatesville, TX - PAID FULL & Signup Received (2nd Year Returnee)
- Lee J, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL (2nd Year Returnee) NEED SIGNUP FORMS
- Peter Q, Mississauga, Canada - PAID FULL NEED SIGNUP FORMS
- Bob D, Boise, ID - PAID FULL (reserved 6” dredge) (3rd Year Returnee) NEED SIGNUP FORMS
Week 2 - Leave Anchorage to Moore Creek Wednesday June 11th, return to McGrath Tuesday June 17th, return to Anchorage June 18th
- Bob D, Eagle River, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received (reserved 6" dredge) (3rd Year Returnee)
- Krzysztof Z, Kinnelon, NJ - PAID FULL & Signup Received (reserved 6" dredge) (3rd Year Returnee)
- Keith M, Baker City, OR - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Eric P, Austin, TX - PAID FULL & Signup Received (2nd Year Returnee)
- Leigh D, Melbourne, Australia - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Karl B, Spring, TX - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- James H, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Rich L, Niceville, FL - PAID FULL & Signup Received (3rd Year Returnee)
- Michel Z, Brussels, Belgium - PAID FULL & Signup Received (3rd Year Returnee)
- Glenn M, Phoenix, AZ - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Dave M, Sandusky, OH - PAID FULL & Signup Received (4th Year Returnee!)
- Mike P, Gatesville, TX - PAID FULL & Signup Received (2nd Year Returnee)
- Rob A, Sun City, AZ - PAID FULL (3rd Year Returnee) NEED SIGNUP FORMS
- Dennis B, Phoenix, AZ - PAID FULL (2nd Year Returnee) NEED SIGNUP FORMS
- Stephen F, Fallbrook, CA - $500 Paid Signup Received FINAL PAYMENT DUE
Week 3 - Leave Anchorage to Moore Creek Thursday June 19th, return to McGrath Wednesday June 25th, return to Anchorage June 26th
- Leigh D, Melbourne, Australia - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- David B, Acworth, GA - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Karl E, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Mike B, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Ken P, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Wayne S, Silverton, OR - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Jens S, Hupstedt, Germany - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Frank F, Corning, NY - PAID FULL & Signup Received (2nd Year Returnee)
- Donald J, Spokane, WA - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Barbara C, Anchorage, AK - $500 Paid Signup Received FINAL PAYMENT DUE 4/19
- Stephen F, Fallbrook, CA - $500 Paid Signup Received FINAL PAYMENT DUE 4/19
- Rod K, Anchorage, AK - $500 Paid Signup Received FINAL PAYMENT DUE 4/19
- Charlie C, Fairfax, VA - $500 Paid Signup Received FINAL PAYMENT DUE 4/19
- available
- available
Week 4 - Leave Anchorage to Moore Creek Friday June 27th, return to McGrath Thursday July 3rd, return to Anchorage July 4th
- Richard F, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received (2nd Year Returnee)
- Bryn R, Fayetteville, AR - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- David M, Reston, VA - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Ken P, Anchorage, AK - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Glen B, Fort Smith, AR - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Jens S, Hupstedt, Germany - PAID FULL & Signup Received (reserved 6" dredge)
- James D, Thornhill, Canada - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Lee J, Penticton, WA - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- John S, Lake Charles, LA - PAID FULL & Signup Received
- Pete W, Paducah, KY - $500 Paid Signup Received FINAL PAYMENT DUE 4/27
- available
- available
- available
- available
- available
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to booking a trip to Moore Creek Mine:
1. Print out and completely fill out the following Microsoft Word document: 2008 Moore Creek Adventure Signup. If you do not have Microsoft Word you can download a free viewer here. Mail the fully completed form and your deposit or payment in full to the address below. Be sure you read and understand the form before you mail it in! Make all checks out to Moore Creek Mining LLC.
Moore Creek Mining LLC Daytime
Phone (Steve Herschbach or Dudley Benesch) 907-277-1741
P.O. Box 142402 email info@moorecreek.com
Anchorage, AK 99514
2. At least 90 days in advance of your departure to Moore Creek, make the following reservations:
a. Your connections to Anchorage in time to make the AM departure flight on PenAir. Many flights arrive in the middle of the night or early morning, and so unless you want to wait many hours in the airport you may want to book a slightly earlier flight and get a room in Anchorage for the evening. This is of course up to you. Your return connection should be made with the knowledge that flights in Interior Alaska are subject to delays for many more reasons than people in the Lower 48 may be accustomed to. Your return from Moore Creek could be a few hours late, or in extreme cases a day or two late. At a minimum allow for at least four hours between your connections in Anchorage. This would be a good time to consider staying a day or two in Anchorage to see the local area, or arrange a fishing charter, etc.
b. Your reservations with Peninsula Air (PenAir). Call 1-800-448-4226 to book your reservation. We have a special round trip rate with PenAir. To receive it, you must make your reservations by phone and mention you are with Moore Creek Mining. If you book online at the PenAir website you will not receive the discount. Your round trip ticket from Anchorage to McGrath should be under $450 but this is subject to change due to increasing fuel prices.
c. Book your room for your one-night stay in McGrath. There are three options for the stay in McGrath. The Hotel McGrath Bed and Breakfast 907-524-3951, Takusko House 907-524-3198, and Susie's Iditarod Trail Cafe 907-524-3331. The Iditarod Cafe is the least expensive option but also the most rustic. Figure about $100-$200 for your night in McGrath including supper and breakfast. You can save money by eating a meal just before leaving Moore Creek if you wish. Do not put this off to the last second as lodging options in McGrath are limited!
d. Mike Stewart with Redline Air in McGrath will be expecting you. We keep him informed as to group arrivals and departures. Mike usually takes credit card payment for the flight to Moore Creek when you arrive in McGrath. However, if you would like to arrange payment in advance or have any questions for Mike call 907-524-3733 or email him at redline@mcgrathalaska.net . The round trip cost from McGrath to Moore Creek and back for 2008 should be about $250 but this is subject to change.
3. Moore Creek Mining LLC cannot control factors like delays due to weather, smoke from forest fires, or other unforeseen issues. Delays in arriving at the mine or leaving the mine are possible. Refunds will not be issued for days lost due to these issues that are beyond our control. We therefore highly recommend you contact your travel agent about the possibility of obtaining travel insurance. This insurance can be had for minimal cost and can protect you from extra expenses incurred due to these type of travel problems. Allowing for an extra day in Anchorage on the departure end of your trip is also a form of cheap insurance in case you experience any delays in leaving the mine. Booking tight connections from Bush Alaska to the Lower 48 can result in missed flights.
The one-night stay in McGrath on departure night helps alleviate possible weather issues on departure day. It also means you get nearly a full extra day at the mine instead of just getting up and leaving early that morning. Plus, you get to experience a bit of small town Alaska by spending the night in McGrath. You will be able to get showered up and clean before proceeding on the Anchorage.
Moore Creek is essentially providing room and board in the form of a tent camp, with a camp cook preparing meals and snacks. Check out the 2006 menu. You do need to provide your own sleeping bag! Three 4" suction dredges, four highbankers, and several metal detectors and a goldwheel are provided for your use, as are pans, a shovels, picks, snuffer bottles, and other miscellaneous mining equipment. We have a single 6" dredge available for those who want to partner up with someone and try some more serious dredging (first come, first serve). All fuel and oil is provided for those using the motorized equipment. If you intend to dredge a lot, you will probably want to bring your own chestwaders. A satellite phone is on-site for emergencies. See What to Bring for suggestions of items you may wish to bring.
We look forward to seeing you at Moore Creek!
Photo Album Aerial Photos Weather & Maps Things to Do What to Bring/Tips
Moore Creek 2006 Report Another Moore Creek 2006 Report McGrath Webcam
Anchorage Daily News Article about Moore Creek 2005 Visitor Writes About Moore Creek USA Today Article about Moore Creek
Get a One Hour Moore Creek DVD
What was life like in the early days in the Moore Creek area? Read the memoirs of Elmer Keturi
Alaska Gold Forum - The online meeting place for Moore Creek visitors
Nuggethunting.com - Another forum with many posts about Moore Creek