Hello,
Im new to prospecting and new to the central valley of California. I was just wondering if anyone wouldn't mind giving up a few ballpark areas to try out, I've been running a 38" sluice and I am also wanting to try out my new 4' drop riffle sluice. I have tried the merced river around yosemite and I believe moccassin creek around sonora, Ca. Im willing to travel a few hours in any direction from Modesto, CA. Well if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it and upload results. Thanks
Brian.
Replies
There is a lot of area within the Auburn State recreational area that is open to the public for prospecting. I think it covers a lot of area around both forks of the American River. Not sure if you need a panning permit. Here is the link http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=502 I joined the GPAA so I could access their claims and I go to the one outside of Foresthill about 30 minutes from Auburn. They have a lot of claims you can go to. Don't expect anything but real small gold because they have all been hit hard but its access. I paid 65 bucks to join and got the 2012 season DVD box set of Gold Fever which I promptly sold on eBay for 40 bucks. If you like to camp they let you stay on the claims for 14 days for free. Claims all over the country so it could pay for itself as you travel around learning to prospect. I have visited most of the claims in Northern California just to photograph them. Some of the locations are amazing for the scenery. Good luck. Brad goldfeverbuckets.com
the auburn rec area is a great place to start, fine gold to nuggets are found here, you can pan and sluice, some areas are easy acess but as usual if you really want the good stuff you have to do the work and hike in. also ther bear river campground is there just across the I 80 in colfax, county park you can camp and sluice and pan.
For a First timer you should try and find a Local club, they will show you where to look and how to work it. you need to be carefull not to tresspass on a valid claim. you can Prospect around Bridges though there a public pass way. All of the Seara nevada's is good Hwy 49, Hwy 80, Hwy 395, here's a link to find a club http://www.icmj.com/clubs-associations-govt-agencies.php