Getting paydirt in CO

[steveouke]

My family and I are heading to Breckenridge next week. I plan on getting out and mding some. I would also like to bring back 10-15 gallons of dirt to pan. I am not familiar with the area and I would like to get some help with a decent location.

 

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[steveouke]

I am looking at a few old mine sites west of highway 9 south of breckenridge. Anybody spent much time in the area?

 

[jmoller99]

Those areas are claimed. Instead, look to areas near Clear Creek.

 

[steveouke]

Is 5 accessible by mini van? I was looking at Lincoln Lake area. Public prospecting?

 

[steveouke]

Lincoln Lake looks like an old tailing pond. Or am I out in left field?

 

[Ken/CO]

Along the Blue River and French Gulch is good.

 

[steveouke]

Ken, pardon my ignorance but is somwhere like Blue lake open to panning. I can only devote about a half a day to detecting and retrieving my dirt so I want to have a few places in mind. I also have to include time to hike in/out from the road.

 

[nuggetshooter323]

Theres a public prospecting/camping area at the Wellsville/Texas Creek area on the Arkansas River. Also as stated above, Clear Creek on Highway 9 just above Golden, CO. It might be worthwhile for you to join the Gold Prospectors Association of America($67, you get a mining guide for claims in most states) or the Gold Prospectors of Colorado($18). Both clubs have accssable claims via minivan in CO.
Last weekend I spent a total of four hours at Clear Creek above Golden, and I got about 3/4 of a five gallon bucket of black sand con's. It's a good area, very accessable.

 

[KevinInColorado]

You can also try Clear Creek downstream from Golden - the area west of Youngfield St. for about 1/2 mile is busy with recreational prospectors most days!

 

[steveouke]

Thank you guys for the information. Does anyone have plans for a trip next week?

 

[KevinInColorado]

Since you are coming in from Kansas, I should highlight that the Youngsfield site is right at the Youngfield exit off of I-70...it is right on the way for you!!

 

[steveouke]

Just arrived in Breckinridge. Looking forward to a week here. I saw the Youngfield location on the way in. It's pretty much in town. I also noticed a bunch of activity in the Clear Creek area.. Should be fun!

 

[steveouke]

Well we headed for Fairplay today. Didnt find anything but I did manage to get about 5 lbs of dirt from a couple different areas. The sluicers were out and pulling in some color. I think we may have been working too fast. I also think a smaller classifier is in the near future!