Colorado -- Gold Panning in Ouray

Hey Gold Adventurers...

I had the chance to do a little gold panning on a weekend trip with my wife to Ouray, Colorado, Memorial Day weekend of 2014.

That Sunday, 25 May, as we were leaving town I stopped by the river, at a pullout in the National Forest and sample panned around. That whole area around Ouray had extensive hard rock gold and silver mining in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The snowmelt was going big time, the river roaring along. I did some pans from material behind big rocks...got a few specks.

After about 30 minutes I found a little sand bar area that had good black sand layering............so I scooped up as much black sand and panned it out.... Yep.........nice fine gold! After a few pans I wish I could just sit up my Gold Cube here, shovel sand all day...

Sadly, with a 5 hour drive ahead of us, I had to leave. I just knew I could find some "color" in that river. Here's some pics:














I'd love to go back again someday, but a 5 hour drive each way is a LONG ways to go....especially when I can prospect here in the Buena Vista area in as little as 15 minutes from my house.

Randy "C-17A"

I hear you Randy!! my trip to DC Wyoming is a 16 hour drive one way! It finnaly got to me about 5 years ago and got a co-driver to go with me! Im hopeing to get to DC Wyoming this July with Leonard. this January 5 2016 Im getting a new right knee.