camping and gold panning location recomendation (?)

[7idl]

Would like to go camping for the weekend, somewhere relatively close to a location where we could do some gold panning w/o any hassles. somewhere not too far from the Denver area. might leave on a friday afternoon, so I'd like to be there and set up camp before nightfall. moderate hiking is ok.

any location suggestions?

[Marlin]

How Rustic?? There are a couple of gold "Panning" places Up near Idaho Springs.

[7idl]

rustic enough to do everything ourselves.

We've been to the tour at the Argo Mine

kinda a tourist trap, especially the "gold panning" they do right there outside the place.

just looking to camp out, walk to the stream, do some panning 2/4 people going haven't done it before.

[theGinsue]

I don't know the name of the place, but there is a small site off of Hwy 77 between Terryall Reservoir and Lake George, CO that offers good panning.

If you use Google maps and type in:
Unknown road @39.152830, -105.478220 (cut and paste this)
it will show you the location which you can zoom in and out on to find out exactly where it is.

I don't recall if there are ANY facilities (toilet), but I remember panning there about 12 years ago (There is a stream/creek/river right there). You can supposed find some gold but you are almost absolutely guaranteed to get garnet in your pan - mostly small bits, but occasionally you can find a decent sized one. There is an old garnet mine somewhere across the stream and up the hill.

I hope this helps.

[theGinsue]

Sooooo... Did you ever go camping & gold panning? Fill us in.

[Sixgun]

I don't know how to tell but check if anyone has a claim. I've heard of some bad stories of people getting gold taking away and fined.
GOOD LUCK and have fun.

[theGinsue]

I do know that public gold panning in the the river/creek running through Fairplay (yes, "South Park") is allowed right near where Main Street (Hwy 9) and Hwy 285 come together. You'll find folks our there all of the time.

As I recall, just North or Fairplay along Hwy 9 the largest gold nugget ever panned in CO was found - big sucker too.

7idl was looking for a place to go camping and panning a few weeks back. I forgot about this place, but then again, I can't think of where to camp near there.

[7idl]

haven't gone yet. just shoppin for places to go. gotta hurry though...snow will be here before we know it [snowboard]

[reddevil1111]

I used to go panning/sluicing a lot. I think the most rewarding time to go is spring time as the run off occurs. (if your slucing/dredging the river) If your going to pan tailings,those are good year round. Another option is to go somewhere, use the sluce or pans and boogie after 4-5 hrs. Set up at another spot and do the same. Refine your concentrate at home. I used to worry and if its not posted how can you know? I move every 4-5 hours to avoid being hasseled if I am on someones land and that way there is no issue. But I do look for signs, recent digging activity ect.
If you never tried to use a sluce before, its 7-8 times faster than plain panning. And I think it gives better results. I only pan to refine my sand.