Gold Prospecting -- Worthwhile or Not?

[RocketManJames]

I'm thinking of taking a daytrip with the g/f and do some Gold Prospecting. It sounds like a fun way to spend some time outdoors. The main thing is that all the gold prospecting sites are about 2 1/2 to 3 hours away. Doesn't seem too expensive ($30-60 a person, depending on site and type of prospecting), so price is not going to be a deterrent.

Wanted to hear any positives or negatives from those who have had this experience. Also, how do I know if the particular group/company I sign up with is lame or not? I did some googling, but surprisingly, did not find a lot of detailed info about actual experiences.

I'm in the SF Bay Area in case anyone wants to recommend a specific gold prospecting group to go for.

Thanks,

RMJ

[theBruiser500]

lol, have to say i love the title of your post

[M2d]

I think you're a little late in the season to do this. iirc, you have to go right after the snow runoff or else it all gets picked away by others. the early summer flooding brings the gold down from the mountains into the lower streams like the north fork of the american.

then again, the prospecting gets good right when the fishing does (when the streams drop and clear), so why would you bother with busting your hump over a few gold flake when you could be hitting some of the best fishing of the year?

[The Ocho]

i'd be worried about coyotes if i were you!

[miajag]

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i'd be worried about coyotes if i were you!

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oh man this was good but a Gus Chiggins gimmick account would have been perfect.

[Alobar]

I used to do this when I was little with my dad, I remember it being fun. But then I was also like 6 and swirling dirt around in a pan was a pee my pants good time. I'd worry the GF would be insanely bored unless she is the outdoorsy type

[illeagle]

Piddling around in the dirt scavenging for fine ore will shed some light on the nature of your relationship for your girlfriend and yourself. Definitely worthwhile.

[Golden_Rhino]

I'am all for it. Mind you, that might be because Alex Smith of the 49ers put me over the top in my FFL.