Finding More Gold

Do you want to increase your odds of finding gold? If so, here are a few tips for beginners that successful prospectors suggest.

Look for gold on the high benches. As a stream cuts deeper into a canyon, it can leave patches of gravel high upon the canyon wall. These are called benches. Look for round or rounded rocks well above the present high water level. Round or rounded rocks have lived in a river at some time in their lives.  

• Look for gold wherever there are outcrops of rock / quartz.

• Look for gold wherever there is a gulch or any water that is cutting through the land.  These water sources are known to cut through ore bodies, and carry lots of gold. 

• Along the rivers and first benches, look for signs for "bagging and tagging" up to the source.

• Gravel bars, (usually found on the inside of the river bends). Although the gold here is typically mostly small flakes to very fine, nice sized nuggets can get lodged in these low-pressure areas, as well. 

• In the stream / along creek banks, gold will concentrate in areas where the water pressure decreases. Gold moves when the water pressure is high. Therefore, imagine what the water flow would look like at flood stage, then look for areas where the water pressure would decrease. Typical areas would be around large boulders, on the insides of curves, along the banks, etc.

• Look for gold in small streaks of gravel laying on bedrock and in potholes or cracks in the bedrock. Look for lines of moss running along the bedrock, too. There is almost always a small crack under the moss and these cracks can contain a surprising amount of gold. 

• Around large boulders and other obstacles. This is where gold will get trapped and is a good spot to dig for color. 

• Where the stream levels out after a steeper section in the river, such as the area downstream of rapids or waterfalls. 

• Look for areas where bedrock is shallow, and look for areas that will trap gold; cracks, rough or broken bedrock, and large boulders. Always look for places that would have decreased water pressure at flood stage.