Riverside CA?

[DocDave]

Hello all!

I'm a newbie living in east Texas and going to visit my daughter in Riverside CA for the first time around April 1st... No fooling.

I'll only have a couple of days and I'm looking for the best place to maybe find a little color.
Never been gold prospecting except out of a bag.

Probably will pick up an AZ Desert Gold drywasher before I go, I think I'm good enough at panning to do quality test panning.

I have a couple of antique metal detectors: My daughter's Garrett Master Hunter and my old Compass Judge 2. Yeah it's been awhile since I MD'd.

I've been a GPAA member for two years and have looked at their claims around there. Any insight into which claim might be best or a local club that might have better claims that I could join?

I welcome all info and comments.

Thanks!
Dave

 

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[Aurabbit79er]

California is the Golden State Guy. If you want to give placer mining a try I recommend the East Fork San Gabriel River just past the parking, lot about a mile walk. Right on the inside of the Riverbend. It's known locally as lower Heaton Flats. I always go there I always get wet, and I always get good color.
if you want to use your dry washer there is so much to choose from I don't know where to start. Lots of places above Barstow to dry wash. An area known as Coolgardie Road area. I believe there are still some GPAA claims in that area. It is a drive from riverside, maybe 2hrs. one way.
I drywash about 90 miles farther up to the north west past Randsburg. At a local club claim off the Randsburg/ Garlock road.
As far as local to Riverside maybe some one here can direct you to something near the Cajon Pass off the 138 to drywash. I heard there is gold off the Cajon pass, east on 138 on the north side of the tracks. Anybody know that area?

 

[Goldwasher]

I would head for the Randsburg area over the San Gabriel.I grew up in Perris. Riverside County. As you stand outside in Riverside ask yourself do I wanna go see more buildings and drive some of the worst freeways ever..the 60 the 10 the 210 west ..or do I wanna hit the 15 north.(you will pass a Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga I used to work there)...and be in The Randsburg area within 2 hours if you Drive Like an East Texan (also lived in Austin for Two Years knew people in Tyler)You have limited time I would head for the newest GPAA claim maybe you will run into someone who can turn you onto some other spots nearby.your closest option is Big Bear or Rattlesnake Canyon.

 

[DocDave]

Thanks for the info guys!