GMS Field Trip May 2025

GMS Field Trip
Gold Panning and Picnicking in Georgia
Saturday, May 31, 2025

GMS member Mike Pettis told Charles and me about Castleberry Bridge, so. We were eager to see it, so Mike set up a visit for us. He introduced us to the owner, George Ferris. We learned how George decided to make his property into a park where people can camp, fish, kayak, ride the river on a tube, and pan for a bit of gold. He is keen on being a good steward of water and shorelines, so we didn’t have to talk long before we knew that his passion for the environment as well as his natural playground aligned well with GMS interests and ethics. So, Mike worked with George and us to schedule the first GMS field trip there.

Members arrived early that morning to sign a waiver, go over all the rules, and make a donation for the park. We started with a brief overview of the geology of the area relative to the gold there, and talked about the placer gold we hoped to coax into our pans.

Mike gave everyone a quick tour, then we jumped into the river and started panning! The ankle-high to knee-level water was cool, but comfortable. Mike had permission to bring a dredge to help us find gold, but some rascally rodents decided to warehouse their food stores inside the motor, so Mike couldn’t run it for us that day. Cam brought a sluice, and Charles and I brought a special bucket that concentrates heavy sand into a little cup. Both helped us quickly pan down to the dark, heavy mineral sand where the gold likes to hide.

Members practiced panning, and whether or not they found any gold, they delighted in the rockhound camaraderie and the beautiful day. Juniors went from panning to looking at rocks to panning again. After a few pans of sand, Cam Clines grilled up a pile of hotdogs. Members brought fruit, potato salad, various chips, plus soft drinks for our little picnic. Inspired by George, we used special metal spoons shaped like tiny shovels instead of plastic, and we used our own reuseable water bottles instead of plastic bottles or disposable cups.

Properly refueled, we returned to the water for some afternoon panning. Juniors did some tubing that seemed always to end with a plea for “one more time”. Even the dogs were having a grand time in the water! I heard reports of members finding several pieces of gold. I didn’t find any gold, but I wasn’t looking for any – I just wanted the heavy sand! Juniors took home their sand to look at with microscopes too.

It was a great day and a great trip. First and foremost, we must thank George for welcoming our group and sharing the riverside playground he made for all of us to enjoy. Many thanks to Mike, without whom the trip would not have been possible. Thank you to members who joined us on our first field trip there, and for sharing their picnic goodies with everyone. As always, thanks to Charles for arranging the trip!

Note: If you want to learn more about Castleberry Bridge and George’s shoreline projects, please see his website: https://adoptashoreline.com/

Lori Carter on behalf of Charles Carter
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