Back in 1848 the Sierra Nevada Mountains were the scene of the California Gold Rush. Prospectors flooded in from around the world, hoping to strike it rich. Much of the gold was initially found in streams and waterways in what is now the Sierra National Forest. Heavy rains and snow melt bring new sediment and minerals into mountain streambeds, luring recreational gold hunters to try their hand at panning.
Panning in the Forest
Sierra National Forest allows gold panning along any non-navigable stream in the forest, providing that it is not under a previous mining claim. Small waterways descending steep gradients or seasonal streams can even be likely places to find gold in the mountains of Sierra National Forest. Much of the Merced River downstream from Yosemite is under mining claims, and if you want to pan on an active claim, you must have permission from the owner. Groups such as the Coarsegold Prospectors (coarsegoldprospectors.com) have private mining claims in the area where they host events to help visitors pan for gold on their California vacation.
Where to Look For Gold
Gold is heavier than sand and much of the other river sediment. When rivers are swollen during spring melt or times of heavy rainfall, the power of the water is strong enough that it can move gold downstream and deposit it in areas such as eddies, holes beneath waterfalls or whitewater cataracts or in pockets behind or between boulders where it can fall to the bottom. Sand and other sediment will be deposited over the top of it, so it would be rare to see gold sparkling in the bottom of a stream bed.
Information on present mining claims is available through the Sierra National Forest (fs.usda.gov). You will not need a permit to pan for gold by hand on a recreational basis. Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest, so you can camp overnight for a multiday panning adventure. You won't need a permit to camp, but you are limited to 14 days camping in the forest within any 30-day period, and a maximum of 30 days per year. A campfire permit is required in the forest. You can obtain one free of charge at any ranger station.
Bears are common in the Sierra National Forest, especially around streams. They emerge from winter dens in early spring and spend the summer searching out food to prepare for the following winter's hibernation. A bear's keen nose will draw it to the most minute possibility of something edible. Whether you are packing a picnic lunch for a day's worth of panning, or camping overnight keep your food in a wildlife-proof container secured to a tree or other immovable object at least 100 yards from where you are panning or camping. Store any scented items such as lip gloss, garbage, candy wrappers and clothes you have eaten or cooked in plastic bags inside your wildlife-proof container, and don't dispose of sunflower or peanut shells on the ground.
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