California or Bust

[TheNewCatfish]

Newbie just started prospecting this year. Already been to New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Left Cache Creek Colorado near Leadville before fist snowfall and headed south through Arizona to California. I am backpacking using only a small sluice and pan. Strictly amateur. But i am an experienced outdoorsman used to primitive camping. No need for a port'a potty, prebuilt fire rings or iron grill gratings to cook on. I would like to stay within about six or eight miles of a small store where i can resupply occasionally. So far I've heard the Yuba River north of Sacramento and the mountains around "Julian" east of San Diego would be ideal for a beginner. Has anyone visited both or either of these locations ? How does the color compare ? If you had to choose and could only visit one or the other, which one would it be ? Thanks.

 

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[Customx_12]

I've been near Julian and it's ok. Probably more color up north. Why not hit the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in L.A? A 5 mile hike near The Narrows gives pretty good color if you are willing to dig to the bedrock over the course of a few days.

 

[kuger]

never been down South but can guarantee it doesnt match anything up North,especially the Yuba

 

[Customx_12]

never been down South but can guarantee it doesnt match anything up North,especially the Yuba

How can you 'guarantee' something that you've never experienced?

 

[kuger]

never been down South but can guarantee it doesnt match anything up North,especially the Yuba

How can you 'guarantee' something that you've never experienced?

Probably due to the fact the Yuba is one of the richest rivers in the nationEver hear of any several ounce days down South?Didnt think so

 

[pegleglooker]

Hi Gang,
North is surely better, but gold has been discovered in the Holcomb Valley ( Big Bear ), Julian, Chocolate Mts. Cargo Muchachos, Orocopia's, Turtle Mts and all over the I-40 corridor... Plus the FIRST gold discovered in California was near Santa Clarita in the 1820's by 3 Mexicans in a onion field.. Not by Marshal.... I would like to give credit to the boys up north... Yes you have the mother lode, but down south we have gold as well...

PLL

 

[kuger]

Hi Gang,
North is surely better, but gold has been discovered in the Holcomb Valley ( Big Bear ), Julian, Chocolate Mts. Cargo Muchachos, Orocopia's, Turtle Mts and all over the I-40 corridor... Plus the FIRST gold discovered in California was near Santa Clarita in the 1820's by 3 Mexicans in a onion field.. Not by Marshal.... I would like to give credit to the boys up north... Yes you have the mother lode, but down south we have gold as well...

PLL

Not saying it doesnt,and your right...Marshal was not the first,saying if you are looking to spend your time finding gold and have the option to go to either area,the choice is simple

 

[TerryC]

Kuger's idea is the best direction. Go where the mostest was found. If I'm going to move say, 10 yards of dirt, I want as much as I can get for the sweat! Along Hwy 49, running through the Mother Lode, is the best area of the state for volume. TTC

 

[kuger]

Kuger's idea is the best direction. Go where the mostest was found. If I'm going to move say, 10 yards of dirt, I want as much as I can get for the sweat! Along Hwy 49, running through the Mother Lode, is the best area of the state for volume. TTC

Exactly

 

[Customx_12]

As I stated, the north is likely the best bet. I never said it wasn't. I'm just saying that one shouldn't "guarantee" something they have never experienced. Shoot, I would go so far as to say one shouldn't "guarantee" ANYTHING when it comes to looking for gold.

 

[pegleglooker]

Hi Gang,
North is surely better, but gold has been discovered in the Holcomb Valley ( Big Bear ), Julian, Chocolate Mts. Cargo Muchachos, Orocopia's, Turtle Mts and all over the I-40 corridor... Plus the FIRST gold discovered in California was near Santa Clarita in the 1820's by 3 Mexicans in a onion field.. Not by Marshal.... I would like to give credit to the boys up north... Yes you have the mother lode, but down south we have gold as well...

PLL

Not saying it doesnt,and your right...Marshal was not the first,saying if you are looking to spend your time finding gold and have the option to go to either area,the choice is simple

Absolutely agreed.... Just wanted to make the point that gold was discovered in SoCal as well...

 

[kuger]

As I stated, the north is likely the best bet. I never said it wasn't. I'm just saying that one shouldn't "guarantee" something they have never experienced. Shoot, I would go so far as to say one shouldn't "guarantee" ANYTHING when it comes to looking for gold.

Yea?Well,I will guarantee it

 

[TerryC]

I have said it before and I will say it here, again..... I GAURANTEE you will find gold in the areas I have hunted on Coyote Creek. At the Natural Bridges Day Use Area in Calaveras County. Not much, but consistant. Kuger and others have issues with the area so beware. I will be heading back to Yarnell, AZ tomorrow so I will not be down on the Coyote for awhile, if ever. Of course, I cannot honor the guarantee unless I am there. But you name the bet. If high enough, I'll be back to take your money! Just like any other endeavour, it all starts out like a funnel. As you separate the required from the not required, the funnel gets tighter and tighter. As you concentrate on the required, the rewards go up accordingly. Go get your share! Tnx. TTC

 

[Customx_12]

As I stated, the north is likely the best bet. I never said it wasn't. I'm just saying that one shouldn't "guarantee" something they have never experienced. Shoot, I would go so far as to say one shouldn't "guarantee" ANYTHING when it comes to looking for gold.

Yea?Well,I will guarantee it

Hmmm....so much so that if he doesn't find gold up there, you will reimburse him? And if he does, he'll split it with you? I'm acting as his bookie since he's not coming on here to post. That would be kinda fun, actually. Do people ever have group outings and award prizes to those who find the most? Sort of like fishing expeditions that give prizes to the biggest fish? I've never seen that down here but maybe up there where people are just tripping over 10 pound nuggets they have stuff like that? Or is this just a really stupid idea? Annnd now I'm rambling. That is all.

 

[treasurechest]

I tried panning in Julian. It was difficult for me to find anywhere that wasn't private property. I also didn't have a map, and I had no idea what I was doing ( I still don't really). An old man at lake Cuyamaca told me that there's gold out there in blue quartz. I didn't find any gold, but there are a few old mines out there. Google earth around Julian, and you should be able to find them.

 

[tapoutking]

How about the frazier park area and Mt. Pinos?

 

[Vince in So.Cal]

going to give the east fork san gab river a try in about 2-3 weeks. Im an old MDer who has recently picked up a pan and a Keene A52 sluice.... I know just enough to be dangerous.. lol lol.. Im learning thanks to youtube, and lots of reading.. now its time to put the learing to test. Im really looking forward to getting out.

 

[Vince in So.Cal]

This was an older post but:.... I really like Mt Pinos. About 6 years ago I drove to the very top, it was cold and there was some snow on the grownd. There were some astronomers with very big telescops (reflector and refractor) set up... now I understand you can no longer go to the top as the Native American tribe who officially owned the property have re-claimed it and fenced off the road. Im actaully glad to hear that.. The lower parts of the mountain have pretty cool camping areas...some with awesome views.
Cheers
Vince.

 

[MrLee]

Vince, I've just started hitting the East Fork too. Found some flakes and a picker after trying several locations. The area right around the wooden bridge and just beyond Heaton Flatts (corrected) are the two spots I have found consistent color at. Would like to get closer to the Allison mine some day.