California Gold – where do I start?
If you are looking for a fun activity to do with friends and family, then gold panning might be something worth considering.
There are many different ways to find gold in California. Some people prefer to pan for gold using a traditional method, while others use modern technology. Either way, there are plenty of options to explore.
There are many places where you can find gold in California. Some are better than others.
Here are the top picks.
1) Death Valley National Park – This is one of the best places to go if you want to try your luck at finding gold. It’s located right next door to Las Vegas.
2) San Francisco Bay Area – The bay area has some of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast. If you like beaches and surfing, this is a place worth visiting.
3) Sutter Buttes – Geologists consider these buttes to be among the oldest rocks on Earth. There used to be a lot more here, which means that it’s possible to get lucky and nd some gold. Where can you go panning for gold in California?
4) San Diego & Orange County – Both of these areas have lots of beauty. They both also offer great opportunities for going gold mining.
5) Redwood Forest – This is one of my favorite things about California. The stately old trees are amazing. And they make an excellent location for searching for gold.
6) Lake Tahoe Area – This is another good spot to look for gold. You may even end up seeing hot springs.
7) Northern Mountains – Arizona offers much potential for nding gold with its snow-capped mountains and long history as a mining destination.
8) Channel Islands – Located about two hours north of Los Angeles, the channel islands provide lovely scenery. However, visitors don’t typically nd any gold here.
9) Mojave Desert – The Mojave desert is home to some spectacular sights. From the highest mountain peaks to the deepest canyons, there are so many incredible locations.
10) Yosemite Region – Just south of San Francisco, the region of Yosemite is located in California. Although very popular, there is still a chance to get away from the crowds.
What can I expect when I go gold panning?
While you’re not guaranteed to strike it rich, you will probably enjoy yourself if you decide to go gold panning.
How does it work?
You take a small piece of iron called a nugget. This is dipped into the water. As gravity pulls dirt towards the bottom of the lake or stream you are working in, you stir the water with a paddle. This causes heavier particles to settle onto the bottom first. Once the gold settles down, you scoop them out carefully.
Depending on how deep you are gold panning, you could spend anywhere between 20 minutes to 2hours.
How much gold can be found?
Well, nobody knows precisely because it depends on what type of soil you are working through. A study conducted by the US Geological Survey says that if someone were to pan every square mile of Earth, they would hit 1 ounce of gold every 75 feet. That works out to 8 pounds of gold per acre.
Is it safe?
Gold mining in California has been around since before the time of Christ. Native Americans were gold panning all across North America.
One reason why this process has survived through the years is that gold isn’t straightforward to mine. It takes a lot of heat and pressure to break apart the valuable metal. Because of this, most of the gold we find in nature today didn’t just naturally form – it was put there by man.
This makes gold mining much cleaner than digging for coal or other minerals, requiring intense energy and pressure. What’s cool, too, is that once the gold is mined, it doesn’t do anyone harm. There’s no radioactive waste created, nor is it poisonous like certain ores.
The biggest health risk associated with gold panning comes from the fact that you’ll often be using sharp tools, and your hands will inevitably come in contact with wet mud and rock while you’re panning.
Even though the risks are low and minimal, it’s always good practice to wear safety gear such as gloves, goggles, ear protection, and steel-capped boots. Also, never pick up any loose rocks or pieces of metal. If you think there might be something stuck to one that you missed, give it a shake.
So, visit California once for gold panning!