Kevin. When are you planning to go? I see a lot of people that just find a spot and go for it. Mostly RV's but some in tents too. There are showers at least in one of the BLM areas just south of Quartzsite. I stay in Bouse on private property which is about 20 mi from QTZ. I've seen a lot of campers off-road between QTZ and there plus a huge BLM area too without any facilities. I think the BLM camping is free up to 14 days. I'll be in the area after the first week of Nov and hope to try the gpaa claim just off I-10 W of QTZ. There are a cpl places in town to get showers. Good luck... "JJ"

I to will be out there for a week after the 1st of november. I live in San Diego and will be roughing it since all I have is the storage in my jeep and the roof rack on top. Just bought a Garrett AT Gold detector too so looking fwd to trying that out in leu of my washer. I'll be hitting the "Guess it is" GPAA claim and perhaps try the "Flatfoot" claim as well later on. I plan to just tent/rough it for 2 or 3 days then go into town for a shower/fast food treat and restock on ice. Bought a Yeti 45 cooler. It holds ice for nearly a week so I wont need to get fresh ice every other day. I plan to hit spots that others dont get to since my jeep is pretty built I plan to get into some areas that might tire out hiker to get to. Never been there so I'll have to see.
Gonna spend the next few days face down in a book learning that Garrett as I'm hoping to be the next 5 lb nugget finder

 

If you should see me out there just holl'er . Red jeep,... Names Kevin. 

Kevin. I won't arrive in Bouse until Nov 8 and need to get settled in for the winter so won't see you that trip. If you have some luck and plan a return trip, let me know and maybe we can double up. I have a dry washer and a Gold Vac.  Also a White's MXT detector. Not sure how good it is for Gold but it has dual capability ie. Prospecting/Coin/Relic. I also have a Desert Fox separator. I'm a Newbee but looking forward to getting out again. I'll be there for Winter/Spring.  "JJ"

Kevin, I did some tent camping at Quartzsite back in 2009, last part of October until Nov 12. Well, find out if the 14 day BLM free camp area is still open. Turn on Dome Rock Rd exit W of Quartzsite. You need to register at the BLM on E end of camp area. GPAA should still have a claim between the Freeway and Dome Rock Road. I gave you the street name from memory, look up the spot in your mining guide. Biggest problem is thieves, watch or take stuff out of tent before heading out to prospect.

Kevin,  I have spent many winters mining in Q.  Here is some truth.

 Camping is allowed in the BLM South of the freeway and west of town.  Flatfoot claim would fall in this area.  There is gold here.  The Q metal detector club also has claims west of flatfoot as well as a great claim at Middle Park.  Dues are very reasonable, see the local gold supply shop for membership.

 Your jeep might not be a benefit.  Roads and trails have been closed and the Leos are really busy.  I am afraid you will be disappointed as the areas around Q will be hard hit and roads well traveled.  There are areas E of the Colorado River, S of the freeway where you might find areas not hard hit with your ride.  (Camping allowed as well)  This would be S of Blythe, CA.

Good luck finding that multi pounder.....

What about the "Guess it is" claim which is about 5 miles east and 3 miles south of Quartzsite? Off Mitchell mine rd off smith wash.... I would prefer to just camp out in the foothills NOT on BLM campgrounds. Do rangers give tickets or something to those who attempt to camp outside of the campgrounds?
I understand what you mean about the GPAA claim being overworked. I was at a Big Bear claim and it was a joke. Nothing but tailings everywhere. Not a drop of untouched earth. I really want to just get out there and get into the virgin desert but don't want to squash any claims. Thats the trickiest part about this whole new hobby.

Anyways, I'm still heading out that way and will be loading several GPAA claim sites on my Garmin. Also just bought a Garrett AT Gold detector so I'm excited to try it out. Wont be up there now until probably tues or wednesday which is the 4th or 5th of Nov. and will be out there for about a week. It's a 500 mi round trip drive for me so I'll be making the best of it. I'm also a licensed gun holder so I hope for their sake that no one tries to rob me.

Kevin,







Water, Water. Also be aware the nights can get cold, very cold compared to the day. Most areas now have some cell coverage in the event of emergency. Quartzsite has most of what you need if supplies run low. Days can get fairly warm so sun screen, and water. Can find some good gold if you look in the right spots and observe the erosion patterns. Insects and snakes are looking for a wintering spot so be aware when moving rocks and digging around holes and tree bases. Most of all have fun and let us know how it goes.

One more thing, don't forget a dust mask when dry washing the dust can get bad.  Not good for your health.

Kevin,

I was there in Feb 2014 at the "flat foot" claim (pg CL-13 in the newest guide)which is between dome rock rd and I-10. A few miles west of town It was for another event so no gear with me and we all camped on the south side of dome rock Rd directly across the street from that claim... Pretty safe spot being wide open. Just walk across the street and about 3/4 of the way to I-10 and you will see many tailings piles. Met three people out there who took me under there wing and showed me around. The camp Host is about another mile or so going towards town on the north/left side of dome rock rd for your free 14 day pass. I may get out there so if you see a tan dodge ram with a silver cap and a very small fiberglass egg looking trailer (casita) that's me.

If you go with a few people for safety there are spots on the claim but heavily treed which i would not leave my stuff alone there while prospecting..... just follow the road in for about 1/4 mile on the left side......

All this area is BLM Land and you will be able to get out to the long row of drywash piles with your jeep. I had the 4x4 ram out there with no problem.... a previous poster said some of the roads are closed so i am not certain of legality but there was a few large campers way back there on the claim amongst the trees

Joe

When I was at the Flat Foot claim back in Nov 2009. Two guys were at the wash near the entrance and access road dry washing. A third guy had just checked them for their GPAA mining permit. He then washed the concentrates for them to see how much gold was being recovered. I looked in the pan, the guy pointed at a speck, said "that' gold, there is gold, that's gold and those are also gold" but it was small. I asked him then how he has done at the claim, told me last season got a nugget dry washing about the size of a quarter.

Take the access road back until it curves to the right. Look a little further for a low ridge were others are setting up dry washers. Be careful you don't step in holes, also down toward the E end of ridge, it becomes cliff like, be careful that area.

Kevin,

Ya need a license to hold a gun??? what ever happened to the 2nd?

god I love AZ...

He's from ca. the gun control state