Drove along highway 16 and 49 today

[mytimetoshine]

For work i do residential service calls. I live just off 80 in placer county. My first call was in Ione. Drove down highway 16. Beautiful! Went over the cosumnes river.....Man when saw that water ..all i could think about was pulling over and walking down to check it out. No where to park though. Also went over dry creek had me day dreaming of the yellow stuff.
Next call was in diamond springs. YES! Highway 49 here i come. I would have drove 10 mph if i could have. I was breaking my neck trying to look, but the damn locals treat these roads like its the indy 500. Even doing the speed limit you cant enjoy the sceneary because everybody in such a damn hurry, tailgaiting and passing on the left. In fact i had to swerve to the right and break hard when i noticed some jack wagon coming the opposite way passing on the left right in front of me. Dummy only got in front of 1 car just to be stuck behind another. People are dumb and impatient. Realize re-tard your only saving seconds, dont risk my life and yours for such an insignificant time saving please.... Anyway ibeen on 16 a few times but my first time driving this stretch of 49. Man, if only you could just go trapesing off anywhere you wanted. I just wanted to pull over and go hiking/prospecting. I assume all this is private property though...
Did a google search for the cosumnes...it said it has the worst access of any river in the area.. So far( being a newb) ive only ever been to and prospected the bear river park and campground. Are any of these other areas beisdes the auburn rec area accessible without being shot? Ive got gold fever bad and ive got an overall fever for nature right now. I wanna just hike up into the wilderness and get lost for a while sooo bad.

 

[Fullpan]

Get this guy some icewater, he's burning up!! There's enough legal panning/prospecting sites to last a life-time between Fresno and Quincy - get busy on
research.

 

[mytimetoshine]

Whats the deal with private property. Do land owners actually "own" the river? Or just the land adjacent to it. Wouldnt walking directly in the river banks be okay? Im guessing not,but i dont see how they "own" the river.

 

[Fullpan]

Because i'm a sadist and like to see people squirm - this was me and my stuff back in the day. Never saw "the man" in ten seasons of dredging. Stayed year
round for two years - best time ever!!

 

[g-olden years]

Do it legally! Won't need to look over your shoulder and won't risk arrest, confiscation of your equipment, etc. Plus, by researching and then asking permission, you'll probably meet some very helpful people. And you'll also learn which people to avoid, lol. First, though, take a few weekend camping trips to relax & enjoy nature. Let us know what gold you find, plus your future hiking adventures! Andi

 

[Hoser John]

SF Yuba BLM recreation area is great for gold outta Grass Valley-In Nevada city take brunswick to purdone,few miles a good dirt road and your there. Another access at the north end also. Bear river also has a campground with fine gold there also.Cherokee bar and Drivers flats in Auburn with many spots on the north fork on the Iowa hill road also. And yes folks can/do own some rivers,creeks and streams as perfectly legal. Just stop and THINK for a minute,if you owned nice pristine property would you want folks trapsing through your backyard tearing the LL outta your private property. John

 

[Fullpan]

mytime - my understanding is the landowner's property extends halfway into the creek/river, someone correct me if that's not the case.

 

[MadMarshall]

Between Ponderosa bridge and the Yankee Jims Bridge...(Sore Finger Point) their is a section of the river owned by private landowners..That is the only section of river on the NF American That is private that I am aware of. MYTIMETOSHINE when you get a chance head down to Pioneer mining in Downtown Auburn..John is very helpfull and eager to share is knowledge of the area..He also has a small book section in his shop..I would consider picking up the book NF TRAILS BY Ron Gould..Alot of good trail's for hiking and prospecting..Personally I put little stock in the Bear River for Gold...Not that their ain't gold its just not my cup of tea!! Let me so bold as to make a suggestion..Possibaly the next chance you got some extra time take a trip to Iowa Hill...Make sure you go past the Genral Store and check out the Cemetary as it is quite awesome..Then head back to the general store and take a nice hike down the Iowa Hill Side of Steven's trail...Travel Light bring basic prospecting kit and lots of water it's 3.7miles to the River but some awesome scenery..Anyway be safe get some gold and enjoy yourself and good luck in your adventures!!!





The one Video is the Colfax side of Steven's Trail..

 

[mytimetoshine]

Wow, thanks for all the great tips guys! I have read a few things about Stevens trail. DEFINITELY going to be making that hike!