Panning at Marshall Gold Discovery Site in Coloma CA

[Crabs]

Took my youngest grandson to the Marshall Gold Discovery site in Coloma CA yesterday to pan for gold.
You can pan on the east side of the river for free, but it's a "Pans and Hands" only site.
We found tons of black sand, lots of fools gold, but no real gold.
Obviously I didn't learn to prospect for gold from Parker Shnavel, I must have learned from Todd Hoffman.
*sigh*.
Anyway, it was a glorious day to be alive.

Next time.......

'Crabs

 

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[vpnavy]

 

[N-Lionberger]

I like the steel pan. I have never had any luck there either.

 

[goldenmojo]

Getting the Grandson out and gold mining at the same time. It was a glorious day. I sent you a pm about some other spots that are kid friendly where you can get some color. Good Luck

 

[Crabs]

Got your PM, thank you Mr. Mojo.
Next trip is already planned.........

'Crabs

 

[KevinInColorado]

Next time try using that steel pan for digging and use a bigger plastic pan for the actual panning.

 

[calsierra-Dan]

Good stuff! theres gold in the river ! keep at it ull find shiny stuff!

 

[N-Lionberger]

Why the hate on the steel pan? I have met so many people with negative things to say about steel pans.

 

[arizau]

Why the hate on the steel pan? I have met so many people with negative things to say about steel pans.

I agree. The only thing is that the old traditional style broad bottomed ones with a smooth transition to a smooth side are not readily available now at most prospecting suppliers. That type is also perfect for use as a finishing pan unlike the steel Estwings that you can get almost anywhere and the Falcon finishing pan is the closest thing to traditional style that is made in plastic. A small Estwing steel pan might be a good choice for digging because the ridged sides are probably stronger than the traditional style. A quick search shows that many different sizes of the old style steel pans are still available from alaska mining and diving supply.

Original poster: Good luck and have fun with your grandkids!

 

[Crabs]

Next time try using that steel pan for digging and use a bigger plastic pan for the actual panning.

Kev:

That pan has sentimental value.
I can't imagine panning with anything else.
It was given to me by my father when I was 15 and it's now close to 50 years old.
When I'm too old and frail to use it, I will pass it down to my grandson.
It may not have made any of us rich with gold flakes and nuggets, but the memories it contains are priceless.

'Crabs

 

[KevinInColorado]

Wow, can't argue with that!!

 

[Goldwasher]

I'm sure I know where Joe recommended , same places I would send you. If you get newly exposed bedrock from this years stripping it can get pretty good.

Also look for places where the water has cut the bar and banks and exposed a rusty layer with sand that is bigger than the sand above it.

Those are the migrated fine tailings from the big dredges that ran that section of river.

 

[NorthernTesoro]

Hey, I've been there! That's where I went panning for the first time after going to the visitor center and getting excited about panning for gold. I bought a booklet and read all about it then went down to the river. Beautiful country, hope to go back someday!