When I joined the GPAA I joined the New Mexico chapter. Our first trip was to a claim in the Lincoln National Forest. We got in there at midnight and thankfully my gps got us on the claim. First thing in the morning I got my big ass truck stuck in gully. The front bumper was on the ground and the front tires were hanging in the wind. Thankfully another member was able to get me out. Almost had a heart attack. Not any traffic and no cell phone service for ATT. We are from Oklahoma and brought back about 18 5 gal. buckets of dirt. Didn't find much gold in there but did find some.
Second trip was to Orogrande on a club claim. Found a little there also. Third trip not much that time either. We have since settled in the Stanton Arizona area since I became an LDMA member. Found 20 times more gold there. Good luck and happy prospecting.