Juneau Bound

Getting from Glacier City to Juneau requires much planning if you are on foot. You can either fly there, or my favorite, take the Alaska Marine Highway System (AKA the ferry system)

If you are taking the ferry as a walk-on you need to pack very carefully. Anything you are going to need readily accessible should be put into a seperate pack, as you won't want to carry your large pack everywhere.

Many people require a real bed and private room..... However, the ship is FULL of observation rooms and other places to relax or sleep. But if you are like me, you want the REAL adventure and sleep up on deck. There are several covered areas on deck that allow you to stay dry, but still have the benefit of the fresh sea air. While travelling in this bohemic fashion, be aware, there are thieves everywhere. The BEST way of securing your stuff is using their VERY large lockers. The down side to this is that it costs $1 each time you open it (thus the reason you pack a small pack to carry with you) While taking showers, it is VERY important to keep your belongings away from the door and as close to your direct view as possible. There has been many a time when people have lost their wallets because they didn't think about this..... Even when you ARE being very careful, hey, it can still happen to the best of us.

The trip from Whittier to Juneau takes 2 days via ferry, so you are bound to see wildlife like porpoises, whales, seals, orcas.... everything you would expect to see on the ocean in Alaska. Iwanted to get more pictures of wildlife, but all I had was my digital camera and animals rarely stop and pose within range, so they usually end up looking like specks of dust or bushes.

The first half of the trip was cloudy, and it even rained at times, but the second half was beautiful. Not clear, but partly sunny. As we arrived in Juneau, the clouds mostly parted and it became quite warm.... Especially considering I had a pack that weighed 185, and 5 other packs and cases..... wearing my leather jacket.... of course.... I was given a tour of both Juneau and its neighboring town Douglas...... Both are EXTREMELY beautiful!

Hello everyone'today i took a walk behind the creekside Apts in Girdwood Alaska.Just me a walking stick and a gold pan;i could smell bear in the air and besides the sounds of the rushing creek it was realy still and calm out there...even the birds didnt want to chirp or sing' im thinking it was the heavy bear smell in the air and his presence in the forest. i stopped about a qaurter mile down river'then bent down to move a couple of baseball sized rocks scooped a single scoop of dirt out from under where the rocks were in the creek that i had moved beforhand im sittng there working the pan when woe and behold the prettiest gleam caught my eye....thats right that golden gleam we all hope to see and find;staring up at me from my pan a flat squished nugget about the size of a pea.! the name of the creek is california creek located behind the creekside apts in girdwood Ak. I have explored that creek several times and in the past i have only found micro flour gold and specks and tiny flakes....just goes to show ya if thertes gold in the location your in seek and you will find........well thats it for today when i go back and check out california creek again ill put a rating scale on it. Thanks everybody and stay tuned for more discoverys........Lee out

Getting Ready - Day Five

Ahhhhh, there is nothing like waking up to a downpour. I have quite a bit more to get packed up for my Juneau trip, and the rain can't slow me down. 2 more days until I board the ferry for this amazing adventure.

We decided that all videos we shoot will be linked for viewing after I get to Juneau, so make sure to keep checking back. If you enjoy them even half as much as we enjoyed making them you're guaranteed one heck of a good time!

I was hoping to do some digging today, however the creeks are too swollen for it to be enjoyable. I will have plenty of digging to do soon enough!

After considering my options, I decided to stay dry and start the historical researching for the Juneau area. There are actually gold bearing creeks that flow right through the middle of town! I can't ever remember mining within walking distance of a latte...... Apparently there are some haunted areas as well.... This could get even more interesting than I imagined!

Getting Ready - Day Four

After all the events of late, I decided I needed to rest. No drama or new adventures today. I did, however, go to Lee's house to remenise about Little Bit and mining trips past. Most people who had the pleasure of meeting him have their own personal story. He meant alot to many people.

And now, I need to introduce the rest of the Bad Ass Mining crew.

Steve

Lee

Johnny

Shawn

As we go you will learn more about all of us. We're all tough as nails and ALWAYS have new adventures. So stay tuned......

Here's to you boo

Hello fellow miners ...My name is Lee. and if you're like me then you love prospecting..mining ...exploring...and last but not least.... ADVENTURE!!!.For those of you already following Bad Ass mining..I'm sure you have already met Shawn, my good close friend and mining partner ....I will have lots of stories and and adventures to share with our followers in the near future. ....

Today I come to you all with a heavy heart..we lost a member of the family yesterday his name was Little Bit AKA boo or boo bear.He was a big black hairy dog that had his own personality and very loyal to those he loved....the one thing I will allways remember about boo is he was our referee he didn't stand for any rough housing or monkey business lol...believe me, I know from experience...when boo said stop the arguing or rough housing you better do it or get nipped in the butt .....hee hee hee......Heres to you my furry friend, I love you boo and know you'll still be there in spirit watching over the boys and gals and saving our butts from bears and ourselves..RIP Little Bit - July 24th 2010

Getting Ready - Day Three

this was one of the hardest days I have ever been through. The loss of my job and family recently was very hard, but the timing on losing my very best friend and family member was more than I can bear. My first inclination was to not write about this, but I really feel I need to. For those of you who do not know the story of Little Bit or if he held a special place in your heart, This is for you.....

Little Bit first entered my life, when a friend of mine invited me to visit his cabin. He had 12 dogs in a fenced pen. He let them out to introduce them to me, and one of them ran straight over to my truck and jumped in. We figured he just thought he was being let out to go somewhere. I spent a few hours there before I decided to head back home. The dog, Little Bit, was still in the truck. When His owner tried to get him out, Little Bit bit him and he decided to give ownership to me...... even though Little Bit chose me.
At that point in my life I was very much a loner. I lived in the woods inside of a tent for 2 years until I ended up in the hospital. A friend of mine at that time decided enough was enough and demanded I move in with him and his family. Little Bit was not amused and caused me alot of trouble during this period. Shortly thereafter I moved out to the first gold claim where we lived in harmony for a year. Eventually I realized I needed to find a job if for no other reason than to keep my sanity. Shortly after I found a job in Glacier City and began to attempt getting back on on top. Shortly after I got established in Glacier City, I was fortunate enough to get visitation from my son Kiegn (Key-Un) and exposed him to the gold mining tradition.

We decided to do a reasonable hike.... My 2 mining partners and Kiegn and myself....and of course Boo.We had decided to hike the streambed instead of the trail and made it about 1 mile up before we took a rest. Within 5 minutes of our break, my son Kiegn yelled "BEAR!". By the time we all turned to look, one of the biggest grizzly bears we have ever seen was charging across the creek at my son. Little Bit ran down in between them, which was about a 7 foot gap, and got right into the bears face. At about this time, we all noticed a cub about 20 feet from the sow. Immediately Little Bit focussed in on the cub and began chase. The sow, seeing her cub in distress, turned her attention towards the cub and followed through the woods. At that time I, as well as the rest of the team, figured Little Bit was a goner. Within 10 minutes, Little Bit emerged like a conquering hero, which he was! He has saved my life at least 4 times, but this was the most memorable!

RIP Boo Bear, You will be missed greatly! (1997-2010)

Getting Ready - Day Two

Day 2 started off slowly.... But it ended with a feeling of accomplishment. For I traveled the dangerous highway called Seward. It is one of the most treachorous roads in Alaska. Not only traffic accidents and head on collisions, but avalanche hazards like no other in north america...... I was in search of needed supplies, and weighed the risks carefully. No avalanches recently..... That's a relief. Traffic is heavy, but mellow...... Feeling better about this..... Convenience store stocked up on Red Bull..... Check, check and check... Off to Las Anchorage!

Mostly all that was needed were bungee cords.... Lots and lots of bungee cords. These wonderful inventions make packing equipment SO much easier that ropes and straps. All together there is 285 lbs of equipment and supplies. 135 of which is attached to my backpack. This is why we establish base camps in inconspicuous places so we can shed most of this burden.... Makes things less frustrating when dealing with the locals..... like bears.....

Anchorage was packed with busy people like it normally is. Everywhere I went involved waiting in a long line..... Not my favorite activity, but it reminded me why I mine for gold..... No lines.

August 1st is rapidly approaching. I am both excited and nervous about this project, but everything is lining up exactly as planned.

Getting Ready - Day One

Just recently finalized trip plans and proceeded to pull up my tent stakes..... Time to get serious about this.
It just so happened that Steve was heading up to our last dig and offered me a ride. His girlfriend and son were also there. As we rode along the beautiful stretches of the Seward Hwy we discussed what we needed to get done while we were up there..... 40 miles from civilization.....
I needed to pull my sluice box and other equipment from an extremely steep canyon which is about 3/4 mile down...... and, back up... I secured the site camp at the bottom. It was absolutely beautiful. The water level was still flowing over our normal digging spots.

The memories I have of this area are some of the best I have. I've been digging here, along these cliff walls, for almost 7 years. I never really got much gold from this area, but the seclusion and closeness of the canyon walls were very comforting. Granted, the water we work next to happens to be class 2 rapids.... unless it rains, then it gets fun.

I Digress.....

I gathered my equipment, consisting of a large gold pan, small gold pan, classifier, Sluice box and my trusty shovel. The hike up from the bottom of this canyon is VERY vertical... At 5 different points, you need a rope assist to go up or down. This isn't very difficult if you have use of both of your hands.... a luxury that I didn't have.... But I did manage to climb down and back up in just under 90 minutes.

As I caught my breath at the top, I realized I was 15 minutes early for my ride. I swatted bugs away and thought about the new project...... 45 minutes worth of day dreaming went by before I snapped back into reality.... which said.... "You are out in the middle of nowhere, with equipment..... what now?"

I headed towards the upper camp where he had gone..... another 1 1/2 miles.... uphill..... with equipment...

I got to the gate.... locked. I walked around the gate and proceeded to a small campsite close by to drop my gear. I then started walking back up towards the upper camp.... As I approached the powerline trail I yelled..... I heard no response. I then turned around, grabbed my gear, and headed back out to the highway. Fortunately within the first 6 miles I got a ride from a really nice guy who didn't mind discussing gold mining for an hour.

I finally got back to Glacier City not knowing what had happened to Steve.

Apparently.... They had gotten stuck at the top camp, and in freeing the car, it blew the radiator. He had a 4 runner parked up there as well, so they were able to get home safe and sound.... 4 hours after I got back.

This is definately looking to be quite an adventure!

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to Bad Ass Mining! The purpose of this blog is to map gold bearing creeks in Alaska and report what we find. All gold bearing creeks will be categorized and rated on a 10 scale. 1 being no luck, 10 being EUREKA!!!! My goal is to mine every historically proven stream in Alaska. We will begin in Juneau... Alaskas capital, and finish in Nome.

Prepare to see some spectacular pictures and catch gold fever......

The adventure begins August 1, 2010...

Are you ready for it?