Gold panning/nugget hunting in California or Arizona this summer. Need advice.

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Hello everyone. My family and I are going to Monterey Cali or anywhere in Arizona. this summer for a wedding. Anywhere even close to that is fine. I want to take my boys gold panning somewhere after the wedding. I have no idea how to do it and would like a touristy type place to go. Somewhere preferably that teaches you, is kid friendly and you can rent equipment. I think the boys would love it. Anyone suggest a place to go learn?

I plan on bringing a Teknetics G2 or Fisher Gold bug pro to use if I can.

Thanks for you responses! Love to hear any and all suggestions!

[calisdad]

I have no experience with them but this outfit is in the heart of the Motherlode:
http://www.goldprospecting.com/

Looks like they might meet your expectations.

Good Luck-

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

That does look like a good one! Thanks! Anyone else with info??

[scott565]

Hi,
I was in Palm Desert at the end of January and did a bit of nugget hunting near 29 Palms and some sluicing in the San Gabriel River.
Detailed post here:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.p...,376099.0.html

If you will be in the LA region and have time to get to a decent location, contact the Jeffrey's at American Prospector and Treasure Seeker store in Temecula(see my other post for their web site). They will be glad to assist you. In my case, they were right there with us - great people!

-Scott

[delnorter]

stoopstroop,

It will help for folks to give you ideas if they know what part of California you will be in.
The stae is about 800 miles long and there are a lot of prospecting areas.
Good luck, you and your boys should have a great time.

Mike

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Monterey Cali, sorry.

[delnorter]

No, no, don't be sorry, I'm sure there are folks down that way to help.
I'm all the way at the other end of the state, right next to the Oregon border on the coast.
If you ever get up this way holler. Beautiful country and a lot of fun outdoor things to do, "for free".

Take care,
Mike
joescabinrental.com

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Sorry guys! Add Arizona to the mix. We might stop there instead I'd we found a good place. Driving thru there anyway!
Thanks for all the replies!

[Old and Slow]

You might try this place:

www.roaringcampgold.com

[quartzhill]

I recommend Columbia, California (aka Columbia Historic State Park), 200 miles northeast from Monterrey California. It's preserved as a gold rush town. There's a real neat gold-panning vendor there with wooden troughs to pan in for about $10.00 each -I think. The fellow there gives a real good lesson, and caters to youngsters too. After the lesson, you can find your own spot along a local creek and strike it rich!

[kuger]

I recommend Columbia, California (aka Columbia Historic State Park), 200 miles northeast from Monterrey California. It's preserved as a gold rush town. There's a real neat gold-panning vendor there with wooden troughs to pan in for about $10.00 each -I think. The fellow there gives a real good lesson, and caters to youngsters too. After the lesson, you can find your own spot along a local creek and strike it rich!

Just know you cant just find a creek and go,good way to get an innoccent person in a bad situation

[abitexex]

Summer? Arizona?

Think



HOT


Try this one for the summer stuff

Good hunting

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/rec.../propect.shtml

Not as hot in the summer

[patches63]

if based in monterray,research ventana,etc.,old channel up there,au and major gems.in 99 was fighting the kirk complex fire,that area,nice area.sporadic reports of gem quality corundums.have fun.

[kuger]

if based in monterray,research ventana,etc.,old channel up there,au and major gems.in 99 was fighting the kirk complex fire,that area,nice area.sporadic reports of gem quality corundums.have fun.

Lots of "Green",farming going on down there,I would practice great precaution!!!!

[Terry Soloman]

Hello everyone. My family and I are going to Monterey Cali or anywhere in Arizona. this summer for a wedding. Anywhere even close to that is fine. I want to take my boys gold panning somewhere after the wedding. I have no idea how to do it and would like a touristy type place to go. Somewhere preferably that teaches you, is kid friendly and you can rent equipment. I think the boys would love it. Anyone suggest a place to go learn?

I plan on bringing a Teknetics G2 or Fisher Gold bug pro to use if I can.

Thanks for you responses! Love to hear any and all suggestions!

We close for the season in very early June because of heat and rattlesnakes, but if you are in the area prior to that: http://www.ArizonaGoldAdventures.com Good luck! - Terry

[Tom2hunt]

Summer? Arizona?

Think



HOT

That is what I was thinking. I was there the first week in April about 4 years ago and that wasn't to bad. Highs in the lower to mid 80's and nights cool 60's. You need to be real careful stoopstroop. That summer heat is brutal.

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Thank for all the advice guys! Watching gold fever on tv has got both my boys all excited. Me too!!! Lol

[ArizonaGoldFever]

The Lynx Creek/Lynx Lake area of the Bradshaw Mountains might suit your needs. The Bradshaw Mountains are the most productive areas of the state. I would not bother going anywhere south of Phoenix. Too dangerous.