Gold in Trib 1 by Douglas Anderson

Author:Douglas Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publication Consultants

Chapter 14

Trib 2

Monday morning, our second day on Trib 1, was misty and dew-laden. When we arose, the sun was already high and beginning to burn off the haze. Our first activity was a shower down in the stream. It was exhilarating in the clear cold water, and just for a few minutes, our camp resembled a nudist colony. We also laundered a few items of clothing and hung them on a line to dry. Only then did we set about preparing breakfast.

After breakfast, we rounded up items we wanted to take and packed smaller items in the nylon day pack. The Koolaid, a few snacks, the folding shovel, a gold pan, maps, and photos of the valley. Rifles of course, a must, and belts with waist pouches. We debated whether to take our ponchos and decided it was not necessary since the day was shaping up beautifully.

Traveling light, we hiked around the end of the ridge to explore Trib 2. We were able to stay at low level all the way. We knew the valley was wet and boggy so our biggest problem might be to avoid wet areas. With luck, we’d be able to stay on drier land at the base of the ridge.

The ground was firm while we stayed on the narrow strip of land between the treed slope and the wetter valley. As Trib I headed south, we started east around the end of the ridge. The southern tip of the ridge was narrow and defined. The wide expanse of Trib 2 Valley lay ahead of us. Trib 2 lay five hundred yards to the east, across what was obviously wet ground. We stuck to the edge of the valley as we turned northward.

About a mile up the valley, a loop of Trib 2 came close and we were able to make our way to the stream bank. What a difference. The stream had none of the babbling vitality of Trib 1. It was a sad apology for a stream, more like a canal with slow-moving water the color of weak tea.

We theorized it was related to the size of the catchment area. Trib 2 catchment was much smaller in area because it lacked the wide spread ridge as was found to the east of Trib 1. Consequently, the water drained from the hillsides into the swamp and then leached through the bog to form a stream.

There wasn’t much of a choice but to follow the course of the stream northward. Fortunately, it was still reasonably dry underfoot on our side and there were no contentious willows. At one point we saw a small beaver dam, with a wide pond retained behind, on the east side of the stream. Actually, the stream was choked with grasses and reeds, but there were open canals visible, indicative of some activity.

It took us about an hour and a half to work our way up to the head of the valley. Meanwhile, the stream became less and less defined. Soon it simply disappeared and we found ourselves in the middle of a bog.

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