Scott Lawson
f i n d s o m e gol d !
G O L D PA N N I N G & R O C K H O U N D I N G
Finding a large gold nugget lured miners to the area from around the world in the 1850’s and today gold fever is again rising in popularity. With the current price of gold at over $1290 an ounce, Plumas County’s thousand miles of gold-bearing streams are a big draw.
Gold panning and mining have been
is staked, you’ll need to do some research
courthouse in Quincy, has a good refer-
popular activities in Plumas County since
during the week at the County Recorder’s
ence book for sale.
the 1800s. Although most of the camps
office, which keeps mining claim loca-
that sprang up during the gold rush are
tions on file.
The book explains how and where to pan, what equipment is needed, safety
now gone, there are some spots where
A few areas exist where claims are not
visitors can relive history and even find a
allowed and recreational gold panning is
few remaining flakes of gold.
permitted. Contact the Plumas, Lassen
Equipment for gold panning can be
Experienced gold panners with equipment are welcome to seek gold
and Tahoe National Forest offices for
purchased at area sporting goods and de-
more details on gold panning regulations.
partment stores.
anywhere on public national forest land
If you’re interested in learning how
that has not been staked (usually where
to pan for gold on your own, the Plumas
posted). However, since most of the land
County Museum, located behind the
tips, and includes diagrams, drawings and photos.
For more information, contact one of the visitor centers listed on page 10.
roc k h o u n d i n g Plumas County is renowned for its rocks and unique rock formations. Rockhounds can find treasures in natural quartz crystals, rose quartz, fossils and petrified wood. The area’s diverse geology is caused by the meeting of two mountain ranges (Sierra Nevada and Cascade) and the Great Basin to the east, with a close proximity to an active volcano, Mount Lassen, located on the north side of the county. Such geology has produced truly unique formations, including the giant layers of exfoliating granite in the Feather River Canyon and the towering lava conglomerates in Little Last Chance Creek Canyon on the way to Frenchman Lake. Other geological treats include deposits of columnar basalt
and gold-bearing gravel. There are good fossil hunting opportunities from Mount Hough and Mount Jura in the Indian Valley area to Clover Valley in Eastern Plumas, and petrified wood has been found in the area of Hartman Bar Ridge. Rose quartz is commonly found on Last Chance Creek east of Antelope Lake. To see a display of local minerals visit the Mt. Jura Gem & Museum Society in the Indian Valley Museum in Taylorsville, open weekend afternoons during summer or visit the PlumasEureka State Park Museum in Johnsville, open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer. Contact information can be found in Museums, page 110.
2014 - 2015 PLUMAS COUNTY VISITORS GUIDE
95