Hi Everyone,
My name is Greg and I am 56 years old and I have been planning this trip for 15 years. I am a born and raised farm boy, when I was just a young boy my family allways went to colorado for 2 weeks or so, when the crops were to tall to cultivate dad would hook up the camping trailer and we would take off to the mountains. I allways looked forward to that. I got married and started a family early in life and took my family to colorado a couple of times but it never was like when I was kid. Fifteen years ago I bought a old travel trailer that needed lots of repair. When I was in high school I work a place that repaired damaged campers so I new how to do any repaired needed, I spent the whole summer the year I bought the trailer fixing it up. As life throws a person curves we all have to deal with what we can. Seemed like every time we planned to go on our trip something would come up. In 2003 I damaged my back, not having the finances to take time off from work and try and let my back heal I worked every day untill DEc. 18th 2007 on that day another curve ball came my way! My back had just played out and I could no longer stand or walk much. Every year since that I have had the plan of going to colorado just like before. My back isn't getting any better it is getting worse, so again I would like to make the trip.
Here is my problem, I am not sure that if we made to Colorado I would be able to un hook and set up the camper. So I am researching were we might find a location to prospect that I either wouldn't have to walk very far or a place were I might be able to ride my atv close to were we would be able to pan. If I don't bring the camper I would like to rent a cabin if possible. For me, If I could just find a little color I would be able to come home knowing I had completed a 15 year long dream.
I would be very great full if any one could give me advice and maybe point me in the right direction to look. I didn't post this with the intent of anyone feeling sorry for me, I do not want that! I just want to do a little propecting.
Thanks
Greg

Hi Greg,
Very nice to meet you and welcome to CP!
Why not try Vic's? With your bad back and all... I think this would be an excellent idea! Link: Vic's Gold Panning
I have not personally been there but have heard nothing but GOOD things about it.
I'd hook you up with some of my spots but they are nothing but brutal labor for supa-fine gold dust so far.
Good luck and I hope you fulfill the dream, you deserve it!

Swizz,
Thank you so much for the advice, I called out yesterday and no one answered so i will try again today. If I understand what was stated on the web site, it is $5.00 a day per person to pan, and then if you want to set up a small sluice box it is another $10.00 per day? So that would be $20.00 per day for me and the wife? That still wouldn't be to bad. I was willing to join the GPAA or the local club so I would have a place to prospect. Just being there with my gold pans and my sluice box would be great and if i found any color it would be awesome.
Thanks again.
Greg

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the forums, we are all glad to have you here.
I was thinking about this after our emails the other day and Vics came to mind as a possiblity, thanks Swizz for posting that up. Vic's doesn't have any area set up for camping but there is a small hotel and store across the hwy from Vics, although the rates may not be cheap as it's owned by one of the casinos just above there in Blackhawk.
From there you could just drive across the hwy and right down to the panning sluicing spot at Vics very easily....just be careful pulling on or off of that hwy as traffic gets pretty heavy at times.
Also if I remember it right, if you pay for sluicing then the panning is included as part of that....no need to add that as an extra on top of sluicing per day. Hopefully Jesse will return your call very soon too, normally he's very good about that.

Another option that might work well would be the Fairplay town beach. They do allow camping there (not sure on rules, fees etc) but then you could walk a short distance to sluice and pan right there on the towns property. There are also several rv campgrounds, hotels etc very close if camping at the beach doesn't work out.
Their contact information and permit print off is in the free panning and sluicing thread. The panning permit isn't free anymore but it's only $5 bucks and that's good for the year.

Like Swizz said, have a great time fullfilling your dream, you deserve it! Safe travels and good luck prospecting, hope ya' find a big ol' nugget!

CP

There's a few places up Halfmoon Creek just south of Leadville where he could do that. I'm in Leadville myself, so Gregg if you need someone to come over and check up on you once in a while, I can.

Thanks to all!!
I am great full for the help. Sounds like I won't have any problem finding a place to prospect, now if I can just get that back of mind to give me a little relief for just a short time. If things work out I will post that i am on my way, sure me nice to meet some of you folks.
Thanks
ACE

Vic's is a good site, been there myself recently and found my color! I also recommend it