Good place to go Camping/Panning between highway 50/80 in CA?

[JunGun]

I wanted to plan a camping trip for next month sometime and would like a great place to go prospecting/panning for gold.
Any suggestions where it's fairly safe near or between highway 50 and 80 near placerville or colfax?
I don't mind dirt roads and can 4X4 up there.

Thanks

 

[Fullpan]

Hey JunGun - My experiences prospecting have all been north of I-80. But until the guys get home from their weekends, i'm curious why you said "where its
fairly safe"... Did you mean from bears and such? or from rowdy people? Are you bringing the family, and what kind of camping do you like? We have all
different types here - I loved to hike into remote areas alone, others bring their kids along and camp in pay campgrounds. If you can be more specific it will
help the guys to recommend a good spot for you. GL

 

[Hoser John]

Auburn Rec area-Cherokee bar or Drivers flats outta Auburn-John--clickable link in Auburn RNA thread below

 

[JunGun]

Hey JunGun - My experiences prospecting have all been north of I-80. But until the guys get home from their weekends, i'm curious why you said "where its
fairly safe"... Did you mean from bears and such? or from rowdy people? Are you bringing the family, and what kind of camping do you like? We have all
different types here - I loved to hike into remote areas alone, others bring their kids along and camp in pay campgrounds. If you can be more specific it will
help the guys to recommend a good spot for you. GL

Hey FullPan,

I guess not to remote, somewhere my 22' 4x4 will fit and I'll probably have my mother and sister including myself. No Bears would be nice since I plan to BBQ a bit on the trip and we will have food. Away from rowdy people sounds good. I alone would love to hike and travel the more remote areas but something easy for this trip would be nice. Pay grounds would be alright but something a little more out of the way? Thanks

 

[JunGun]

Auburn Rec area-Cherokee bar or Drivers flats outta Auburn-John--clickable link in Auburn RNA thread below

Sounds like a good spot to check out since it's close by, let me look..

 

[Hoser John]

NO BEARS HAHAHAHAHA

 

[goldchaser3]

John, you are laughing because.....

 

[Hemisteve]

Does a bear s**t in the woods? Yep, and he lives there too. Will you encounter one camping? Maybe - maybe not but if your grilling food and one gets a whiff, expect a visitor in your camp.
Get a quick education on "Camping in bear country". Do's and Don'ts.

Personally, bears don't bother me. I have lived in the high Sierra's most of my life and have had enough encounters that they are just a nuisance.
Now Raccoon's on the other hand...................Mean little varmints and a thief in the night.