Mining Excursions

GOLD MINING SUMMER CAMP – HISTORIC MINING DISTRICT DOUGLAS CREEK, ALBANY WYOMING

MINING SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION – Camp registration begins in March 2024

Testing Gold sampling

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Pink Misty Presents – Mining Summer Camp – historical Douglas Creek mining district.

The Douglas Creek Historical Mining District, located in Albany, Wyoming, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. This district was once a bustling hub of mining activity, primarily focused on extracting gold and silver from the surrounding hills and streams. The topography of the area played a crucial role in the development of the mining industry, as the rugged mountains and deep valleys provided ideal conditions for mineral deposits to form. Prospectors flocked to the region, establishing numerous mining camps and towns, and bringing economic prosperity to the area. Today, the legacy of the Douglas Creek Mining District can still be seen in the remnants of old mines, ghost towns, and the stories passed down through generations. The district serves as a reminder of the region’s mining heritage and we invite you to explore with us and learn or hone your gold mining skills with our hands-on mining camp.

The topography of the area is adorned with wildflowers, rich grasses, and rocky outcrops and a beautiful sky full of stars. The landscape was changed after the Mullen fire of 2020 it was a devastating wildfire that occurred in southeastern Wyoming and northwestern Colorado. It started on September 17, 2020, and burned for several weeks, ultimately consuming over 176,000 acres of land. The fire primarily affected the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Savage Run Wilderness, both known for their dense forests and rugged mountainous terrain. The topography of the area played a significant role in the fire’s behavior and difficulty in containment. Steep slopes, deep canyons, and narrow valleys created natural channels for the fire to spread rapidly, while the abundance of dry vegetation fueled its intensity.

The challenging topography also hampered firefighting efforts, making it difficult for crews to access certain areas and construct containment lines. Despite the difficult terrain, firefighters and emergency personnel worked tirelessly to control the blaze and protect nearby communities and critical infrastructure. There is beauty in natures fury, along side the burned scorched earth and haunting lodgepole pines, mother nature’s rejuvenation can be seen everywhere.

The silver lining exists within the rebirth of tree seedlings, wildflowers and most importantly the environmental erosion spewed out more gold from the paleo placers and lode mines, rejuvenating and refreshing the gold supply. Come join us!

Mining Excursion Registration Notification Request form:

Session 1. Saturday, July 13 – training concludes Wednesday, July 17. Gold claim access until Saturday July 20th
MINING CAMP PREPARATION:
Arrive 1-2 days before Mining Summer Camp begins to safely begin acclimating in preparation for mining at high elevation at 9384 ft – Recommend staying in Laramie.
AGENDA
Evening before the first day of camp you will enjoy dinner, learn about the history of mining in the Medicine Bow Douglas Creek historical mining district and visit with gold miners Paul Allred, The Phantom, Diamond Mike, Bridger, Ruby and others. This evening we will discuss the agenda and finalization of registration.
Day 1. Exploration day, we will visit several historical sites, a historic mining cabin, Rob Roy Reservoir, the famous Keystone mining district, and other notable areas. Panning 101, testing, and sampling for gold prospecting, beginning metal detecting, basic geology of where to look for gold.
Day 2. The how to use and be successful using a sluice box, high banker and modifying or making your own equipment.
Day 3. Dredging 101, the how to, tips and tricks and gear needed to be successful. Dredging in action, participants will have the opportunity to dredge and/or assist in dredging activities (it takes two humans to safely dredge in open water) utilizing an old mining shaker screen to see the process from the past. Gold will be divided between participants.
Day 4. Tour – Visit the mining claim sites that you will have the opportunity to pan and sluice for two days upon completion of the instructional sessions. Session ends at noon, lunch is on your own, transportation will be provided back to Albany lodge if needed.
Included in your registration:
Arrival dinner at Albany lodge restaurant
Breakfast, small snacks between meals, lunch, and dinner, water will be provided, all meals will be served at the miner’s camp unless noted otherwise.
Small gold mining kit includes gold pan, small sluice, classifier, bucket, snuffer bottle and vial to capture your gold, yeti water bottle, baseball cap.
Accommodations – Two options below:
Roughing IT- Miner Style – 4 nights Canvas tent camping @ Bobbie Thompson campground, options include individual tent or 2-3 cots per tent if joining up with another miner. You will have the option to bring your own sleeping bag, or select to purchase an add on, also included fresh drinking water, coffee in the morning, central fire, picnic tables, portable outhouse, basic camp lighting.
Additional Lodging options are available here, book your accommodation quickly as they fill up. If you choose to forgo the Roughing IT-Miner Style, pickup will be at the Albany lodge at 8:00 a.m. to be transported to the activity site. . To view lodging options visit: https://www.albanylodge.com/lodging/
Excursion dates:
Session 1. Saturday, July 13 and concludes Tuesday, July 16 – Gold claim access until Saturday, July 20th

What you will need to bring:

Be prepared for inclement weather, including rain gear and a warm coat.
Sunscreen
Bug Spray with at least 20% Deet
Long sleeve shirts, long sleeve pants, raincoat, or rain slicker, enough clothing for 5 days with a spare
Sturdy shoes (no sandals), water or river shoes, or waterproof boots, consider waterproof socks– Douglas Creek has areas of high water with very slick surfaces
Several pairs of gloves, ones for the water, and gloves to move material
Waders – Diving suit if you are considering dredging and want to be the diver be sure it includes a hooded suit – amazon has several options – see here:

Extra add on’s:

Sleeping bag – cowboy roll – for 0*
Rental of ATV/UTV

Free extra benefits:

Increase physical fitness and emotional health
Fun, excitement reconnect to earth, almost off the grid, limited electronic communication
Clear crisp clean air to breath, no light pollution – visible stars
Bird and Woodchuck Marmot Watching
Wildlife, deer, moose, elk, mountain squirrel, marmots, mountain lion, bear
Fishing
Kayaking or boating on Rob Roy Reservoir – www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbr/recarea/?recid=22864