Welcome aboard!
I've been to Against the Wind near Ancho. Three of us working different methods, no one saw any color. Historically, the area was a good producer, and geological reports say there is more gold there than anywhere else in NM. Two problems, though - there isn't any water and the gold is very small. Against the Wind is very easy to find and has good access - a car should make it without trouble. Go to Carizozo, make a left, make a right to Ancho (it's around 20 miles if I remember right). Follow the road through the ghost town and over the railroad tracks. You'll pass a ranch on your right, keep going. Should cross into National Forest land fairly quickly. It's not too much farther, look at your map. The road makes a Y, and if I remember right, the Y is about in the center of the claim. Couldn't ever find the road to Gold Skeye 7, unfortunately.
I live in Los Lunas, and I noticed that Little Jo near Socorro is listed again for us in the online claims directory (word was out that it was no longer available a couple years ago). I'd like to head up there - looks like it's only about a half-hour drive from Socorro, up in Water Canyon.
You might also consider the New Mexico Gold Prospectors Association (I'm a member there, too). I think they have a claim in Water Canyon, I think one in Lincoln County, and one on the south side of the Socorro Mountains - Red Rocks, it's called. Also three in the San Pedros east of Albuquerque.
Best of luck!