Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was wondering if there are any gold panners on this forum. I would like to have some recreation and make a little extra cash by panning in the California foothills. I am researching the area up around Sonora?
Do you have any favorite spots or any gossip on the best areas?
I am sure if you find a Mother Lode you will be very secretive? LOL
I dabble in gold panning from time to time, but haven't really found much gold so far. Most of the places I've panned have been in southern California, and have been places where it was convenient for me, not necessarily places where there's a lot of known gold. The area up around Sonora should offer plenty of opportunities. If you haven't already checked it out, you should look into joining the GPAA. Their website is Gold Prospectors Association of America
GPAA has a number of mining claims that are able to be used by the members, so if you join, you can work their claims instead of going through the process of finding, staking, and filing your own claim. This is a great way to learn about the hobby before getting too heavily invested. I have yet to join GPAA myself, but I've been planning to for a while. Perhaps this thread will get me to do so.
We have friends over in Angels Camp that sell gold panning supplies, at Books and More. They probably share some locations. I found those little books on old locations pretty valuable, especially the old out of print ones from the 70's.
I've panned in a few locations, mostly finding just flakes. I just turn a few rocks and try my luck. Mostly in Columbia, Ward's ferry, back behind Tuolumne City.
Friend of mine actually found a wooden box with gold coins in it after a heavy rain, that was in a old wash.
Most people are using dredges with hookah gear or old fashioned rockers.
We have friends over in Angels Camp that sell gold panning supplies, at Books and More. They probably share some locations. I found those little books on old locations pretty valuable, especially the old out of print ones from the 70's.
I've panned in a few locations, mostly finding just flakes. I just turn a few rocks and try my luck. Mostly in Columbia, Ward's ferry, back behind Tuolumne City.
Friend of mine actually found a wooden box with gold coins in it after a heavy rain, that was in a old wash.
Most people are using dredges with hookah gear or old fashioned rockers.
Thanks for the lead. I will check out Angels Camp. I am researching locations now but it is not a simple google!
Guess the governor outlawed dredges now. Interferes with salmon runs.
As far as being 160 years too late, gold is always washing up. Every rain storm exposes more.
Gold is high right now with the bad economy.
Very true and I want my piece of the pile.
Too bad about the dredges. I have seen the small ones in use and they don't seem to affect anything environmentally. However, it is just another way for gummit to intrude into our lives. Pretty soon we won't be able to buckle our pants without some rule about "no more than 4 holes per belt".
We are going from home of the free to death by a thousand rules! uggh!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
