First trip to the Mother Lode

[NebHunter]

I am taking my first trip to the Mother Lode country in June. I am looking for some not too far off the beaten path areas that would be good for gold. I am taking the kids with me so the less we have to hike the better. Please let me know if there are any easy to reach areas where we can go hunting.

Thanks

 

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[bigfish31]

Name some county's for starters.

 

[NebHunter]

How about El dorado, Placer, or Calaveras?

 

[Ant]

Try Indian Valley Campgrounds, located just below Downeyville on Hwy 49, the North Fork.

 

[goldinmypan]

Italian Bar outside of Columbia has a streach of open to the public river and if they're not full you can get right next to the water.

 

[NebHunter]

I will give that a try.

Thanks

 

[stefen]

At one time, Knott's Berry farm in Orange County (near Disneyland) imported gold bearing sand and would charge you to pan...actually got better color in minutes than most people got in days in the Mother Lode Country.

 

[NebHunter]

I will post here when I return home. Hope to havea pic or two of some good stuff.

 

[Hemisteve]

All of the rivers, creeks and tributaries in the Sierras has potential for gold. Just find an unclaimed and public acsessable area and have fun.
Best chance of finding anything is where the water flow slows just below a fast stretch or rapids. Dig just behind any boulders in the stream and don't overlook any cracks in the bedrock.

Have fun and post some pics
Steve

 

[Urban Prospector]

Yea Knott's,, First place I ever panned,, in 1966. Check out the Auburn State Rec Area. There were plans to build a dam in that area and flood it. The State bought up land and claims and then the Dam plans fell through. Now there are around 30 miles of river open to recreational panning with no worries your claim jumping.