The Hoffman crew races to finish setting up the mining plant and finally begin running dirt through the operation. As the families arrive from Oregon and question the lack of gold, pressure builds on the inexperienced miners, while illness and rising tension threaten to slow their progress before the claim can start producing.

The Hoffman crew's attempt to keep the mine running is disrupted when key equipment malfunctions and brings the operation to a halt. As the setback threatens their already fragile progress, James Harness suffers a serious health scare and Jimmy Dorsey's decisions create more division within the crew.