Highbanking is one of the most reliable ways to get gold at Moore Creek. We have several highbankers, which a pump fed sluicing devices that you shovel into. A pump runs water up to where you are digging so you do not have to carry the dirt. It should be possible to get a pennyweight or two a day highbanking but the results depend on the location and your effort. Nice little nuggets turn up regularly in the highbankers, and the possibility exists you could get lucky and turn up a large nugget this way.
We have several 4" suction dredges at Moore Creek and a single 6" dredge. Dredging is a reliable way to get gold at Moore Creek, and compared to most places it is very easy to do. the tailing piles have gold in them, and simply sucking up the tailing pile material will get you gold. Again a pennyweight or two a day is possible, along with the chance for larger nuggets. You only need hip boots or chestwaders to do this, as the drysuits needed for dredging deeper water are not required. Bring your own boots if you plan on doing a lot of dredging. More serious types might want to bring a wetsuit (the water is reasonably warm for Alaska) or a drysuit, mask, and snorkel.
Our 6" dredge is for the more serious person, or better yet two people. Again, we only have one at this time, so do let us know in advance you'd like to use it. It is first-come, first serve. We recommend you partner up with someone to use it and split the effort - and the gold.
Gold found dredging and highbanking - click image for close-up
The dredges are currently located close to camp, but you can dredge at many locations. We will help you move a dredge to a specific location you have in mind if you think it worth the effort.
So far over 300 gold nuggets and specimens weighing over 180 ounces total have been found at Moore Creek while metal detecting. The majority of the nuggets are in the 1/4 to 1/2 ounce range, and quite a few nuggets run from 1 to 3 ounces each. Some examples are shown on the Specimens page. We track and plotted most finds in 2005 and 2006, and two obvious hot areas are developing... the area directly around camp, and the area immediately downstream from the runway. But gold has been found the entire length and width of the old mine workings so in theory a nugget could be found anywhere. The following map has finds up until July 2006 plotted. All weights are in tenths of Troy ounces. Not everyone discloses where they find nuggets, and so this map is not complete, but it does give a good idea where the majority of the finds have been made. The Journal documents the finding of some of this gold.
Map of Nugget Finds
Click photo for enlargement
Metal detecting has the best potential for finding a large gold nugget, but it does take experience, good equipment, and stamina to find gold nuggets detecting at Moore Creek... or anywhere else for that matter! we highly recommend the Minelab SD/GP detectors for Moore Creek. A lower cost alternative to the Minelab SD/GP detectors is the Garrett Infinium. The Fisher Gold Bug 2 and Tesoro Lobo are two VLF models that have done well finding gold at Moore Creek. We have several metal detectors you are welcome to use, but if you want to use a Minelab you must bring your own. Experienced detectorists with a Minelab who are in good condition can find nuggets almost daily at Moore Creek if they work hard at it. Less experienced individuals would be doing well to find a nugget or two in a week, if any. Experience does count!
We also have great scenery and wildlife for photography. The area abounds with waterfowl, mink, otters, beavers, and the occasional wolf or bear. Make sure you take the opportunity to record your visit with lots of photos.
Old Tailing Pond
We have very good grayling fishing in Moore Creek. Arctic Grayling are one of Alaska’s most delicate and beautiful sport fish - see http://www.fishalaskamagazine.com/fish/grayling.htm for more information. Bring a fishing pole and make sure you have an Alaskan fishing license if you want to experience some great grayling fishing. The only time they really do not seem to bite much is if the weather is too hot and sunny, but the early riser can still catch them. You can purchase an Alaska Fishing License online at https://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/buyonline
We also have abundant agates to be found by those who enjoy rock collecting. Agates weighing many pounds have been found at Moore creek. Most are the more common white and brown types, but some have nice banding. Some also have small crystal lined cavities.
Finally, the blueberry picking is great near camp in the fall!
Take the time to do it all and enjoy your visit to Moore creek to the fullest.