Updates
- 2010 | Book Now for this summer!
- 2010 Week 1 | Sold Out.
- 2009 Results | Over 86 ounces of gold was found by 28 visitors!
- Record Nugget | Monster 32.2 oz chunk of gold found by visitor.
- Gold | Reaches New Record High.
There's gold,
and it's haunting and haunting -
It's luring me on as of old -
Yet it isn't the gold that I'm wanting
So much as just finding the gold.
It's the great, big,
broad land 'way up yonder;
It's the forests where silence has lease;
It's the beauty that thrills me with wonder;
It's the stillness that fills me with peace.
--Robert W. Service
Signup for Moore Creek
The 2009 season for Moore Creek is over. The 2009 season was very successful, with our largest nugget ever found - a monster 32.2 oz chunk of gold! The nuggets were plentiful with the average take per person up from prior years. Over 86 ounces of gold was found by 28 people in a two week period.
2010
The fee is $2500 for a weeks stay at Moore Creek in 2010. 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 or later depending on weather conditions. The morning flight from McGrath to Anchorage is too early to catch by leaving Moore Creek in the morning and so a night is spent in McGrath prior to returning to Anchorage. 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 evening, full day, and next morning for free. Please also note that due to the cost of operations we require a minimum of 6 people each week. Weeks that have less than this number may be canceled at our option at any time before January 1st, 2010. Any persons booked for a week so canceled may reschedule for another week or receive a refund of their deposit.
We are no longer holding spaces based on verbal communications - only a paid deposit will reserve a space.
Signing up
Check the Availability for the week you would like.
Additional weeks may be offered, if there is sufficient demand.
Contact us via email to let us know your interest.
Print out and completely fill out the following Microsoft Word document: 2010 Moore Creek Adventure Signup (Word) or (PDF). 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 Pay-To-Mine LLC.
We are also able to take credit card payments over the phone.
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Moore Creek Pay-To-Mine LLC. HC52 Box 8814 Indian, AK 99540 |
Daytime Phone 907-653-1120 email info@moorecreek.com |
At least 90 days in advance of your departure to Moore Creek, make the following reservations:
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.
Your reservations with Peninsula Air (PenAir). Call 1-800-448-4226 to book your reservation. Book online here. Your round trip ticket from Anchorage to McGrath should be about $400 but this is subject to change due to increasing fuel prices.
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!
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 2010 should be about $250 but this is subject to change.
Note: Direct charter flights are available from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Moore Creek. Due to the current runway length of only 1900 feet, and the travel distance, these flights are limited to three or four passengers. If you email us at info@moorecreek.com, we can put you in contact with qualified charter pilots. Please let us know if you will be flying to Moore Creek other than with Redline Air.
Important Notes:
Moore Creek Pay-To-Mine 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 an extra half 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 get a good night's rest 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 a sample 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. 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!