Also... our path isn’t set in stone. We can venture to other areas if necessary to meet up and help someone out. We don’t want to keep anything... just learn.

Ok... can someone suggest a gpaa claim that is easily accessible in the mid to lower half of Colorado? We will be traveling alone and I don’t want to venture too far off of the beaten path... I do have 4wd, but very little experience in driving on steep grades... we just want to “wet a pan” for a couple hours or so, then be on our way... I do have a manual, but was hoping for some personal input.

There is a claim in silverton colo that you could try

Thank you very much! I will look into that claim and see if I can find any info on how accessible it is. Like I mentioned, I’m just hoping to find a place to finally be able to pan with the POSSIBILITY of a flake or two, without worrying about breaking any laws or etiquette. I’m retired and plan on returning at a later date without my better half, to actually concentrate on “prospecting”... I’ll be able to “rough it” a little easier, as she hasn’t yet been infected with the “gold bug”. I would love to meet someone with similar circumstances and share the experience. I’m only bringing a pan and a couple classifiers on this trip, but I do have a gold hog mini highbanker and some other necessities for future use. I’ve watched literally HUNDREDS of hours on gold prospecting on YOUTUBE, but would really like learning from an actual person. Being from south Texas, YouTube is about all I’ve got!
I was just looking at the weather in that area and noticed that it’s supposed to rain the entire time we are up there Oh well!

There is a Gpaa claim in silverton called little Georgia and if you have a 4x4 you can drive in there and there is a place to camp next to the river on the claim and you can stay for 14 days on a gpaa claim also contact the blm office prior to going to the claim the number and address is in your claim guide book.

Yes, sir... I looked up that claim and have been reading past comments on the GPAA forums that refer to that claim. I also checked out the info in the Miner’s Guide. It looks like the parking for that claim is at the end of a dirt road. I know the book says you park near the Champion Mine. It looks like there’s a train track going right through the center of the claim...? I guess I’m gonna have to invest in a GPS at some point. I do have 4wd and may try to venture down there. I don’t know exactly what day I will be in that vicinity and was wondering how far in advance I’ll need to contact the BLM? And will I be able to contact them on a Saturday or Sunday? Sorry about all the questions...

Been to Silverton many times, nice area. You should have a good time.  I have not been to the claim yet though it is on my bucket list.

Be careful along the railroad tracks as it is an active railroad. Several trains a day. This is the Durango & Silverton narrow gauge R.R. .

Be alert for a possible flash flood if it is going to rain a lot the days you are in the area.  Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

If your travels take you to central Colorado the Dollenmeier #7 claim is not to far outside of the town of Fairplay. This time of year it may have very little water if any. The town of Fairplay has a pay to dig area in the old dredge tailings. You should have good luck at that site. If you go you will need a permit, $10.00 per day or $40.00 per week. You can get a permit from the town hall, the Hand Hotel and High Alpine Sports.  Pan and sluice only.

If you stay overnight at the Middle Fork RV Resort or the Riverside Inn They allow you to prospect in the river.

Good luck and put the AU back in August !

Scott- Thank you for all the great info! And it IS supposed to rain while we’re there so I’ll be sure to heed your advice. I’m not sure we’ll make it up to the Fairplay area on this trip, but I have been keeping a notebook in which I write down any random info I come across on various areas to prospect, and I’ll make note on what you just told me. Again, thanks!

I just contacted Helen Mary Johnson at the BLM OFFICE ( thanks to Clark Mossman’s informative report on Little Georgia) . I told her of my tentative plans and she was very helpful. I am currently awaiting an e-mailed form to fill out and return to her. Feeling fortunate to have found this club!

I am sorry to be away for a bit it has been a tough year and not only am I difficult to reach at times I have had two separate head injuries and my wife is having to remind me to reach out, blood on the brain effects memory like you wouldn't believe.

New claims opened on the San Miguel River;

From Ridgeway take HWY 62 West and drive past the turn off to Telluride. About 2 miles down the road from the Telluride turnoff you will come across a BLM campsite called Caddis Flats, great site but NO prospecting. As you continue down the road you will look for 90-91 mile markers. On the Left you will see the white post and yellow signs for the FLW claim, the next claim down is River Gold 3, and the next down is River Gold 2. If you continue down past Beaver Creek Campground you will come to the Norwood Bridge, cross the bridge and there is a recreational BLM claim there, but no mechanical equipment use and stay 2 feet from the high water mark, plus please fill your holes.

If you want a hot spot with Checkerboard Bedrock continue West passed Norwood and Redvale almost to Naturita. You will come upon a sign for HWY 90. Make a right there up the hill and drive to the power plant. As you are close to the power plant the HWY 90 turn right off the main road. Follow that until you hit the Pinon Bridge, it's a big green bridge and the only one you have to cross. As soon as you cross the bridge make a immediate right on BB36 road, and at that point you are on the recreational claim (Previously known as the Cream). Once again nothing mechanical and stay 2 feet from the high water mark and fill your holes.

Do not try to get a camper into the FLW Claim, you will not get it out. If you see the Beaver Creek Campsite, another nice site, you have passed the FLW, River Gold 3 and 2.

I should be available end of week when you make it this way.

 

 

Ben

Thanks for all the info Ben. I hope everything goes well for you on this healing process! I’m glad to hear we may finally get to meet. I’m gonna be bringing those black sands with me that I found in this creek down here in Texas. I’ll just leave them with you and when you get to feeling better you can check them out. It looks like it will be sometime Saturday that I’ll be getting up to your neck of the woods. I’ll try to touch base with you on Friday to see how things are shaping up. Looking forward to meeting you.