A lot of prospectors talk about their “gold prospecting season”. Even here in Colorado where we get all four seasons, this idea seems a little limiting to me. In the last decade or so, I’ve been able to go prospecting at least once every month around the calendar! Many months have included lots of outings of course. In fact, since Father’s Day 2011, I’ve only missed digging in two months out of all of those years. Many years, all of that digging was done right here in Colorado!
You may ask, “How is this possible?” Well, here’s how:
WINTER: Remember there’s no such thing as bad weather, just poorly dressed prospectors (with respect to the US Army who seem to have originated this phrase for soldiers) so you CAN still get out digging in many places. Use lots of layers, fleece and wool. Be aware of hypothermia risk and bail out if needed. On the other hand, make sure your first two layers on top are short-sleeved so you can peel off the outer layers if you get warm while digging.
Since winter is the season enjoyed by the fewest prospectors, I’m providing the most detail on it. Here’s a few location ideas:
- The Arkansas River downstream a way from Leadville. The water levels get very low, and some gravels freeze but the low water level gives access to areas that aren’t safe in summer. Finding a location is a little tricky since there are many claims to avoid, but open spots, with good gold, are out there. One legal spot is Point Barr: www.findingGOLDinColorado.com/point-Barr-prospecting-site/ although the access road is problematic if there has been a lot of snow in the area, so this spot might be better: Texas Creek BLM prospecting site – Finding Gold in Colorado. Another option is to head downstream to the town of Pueblo to access the river via Runyon Lakes city park (see my second guidebook for details).
- Clear Creek in the Clear Creek Canyon Open Space Park…similar story to the Arkansas River but no claims, easy road access and mostly lower elevation so usually a bit warmer, especially in a sunny spot. The high canyon walls are pretty but do mean lots of shade. Look for spots that get more sun! More info here: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/clear-creek-canyon-tips/
- The many waterways of metro-Denver. Find a sunny spot, get warm by digging and enjoy the peace and quiet of having a spot all to yourself. I get out in metro Denver all winter on sunny days and have a great time, you can too! More info on exploring in town: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/finding-spots-to-dig-in-town/. Specific options include Clear Creek (Broadway to Washington) – Prospecting tips – Finding Gold in Colorado or Hints for prospecting at “Big Bend” – Finding Gold in Colorado
- The most amazing spot is the Arapahoe Bar site on Clear Creek on the west side of metro-Denver. This is just downstream of the Coors Brewery and all the water of the creek runs through a heat exchanger in the plant to cool the freshly brewed beer, so the creek is warm – ice free and not chilly on our toes 😉 Also the creek runs east-west in this area so there is plenty of sunshine (no shade until the trees leaf out in spring) and since it is in a sort of gully, you are protected from the wind in most cases. Pretty mild conditions for winter prospecting indeed! Read my article about Arapahoe Bar here: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/arapahoe-bar-tips/.
- one last thing – clothing tips…neoprene, Kevlar-covered, “semi-dry” diver’s gloves are amazing. Two layers of wool socks in neoprene “duck hunting” hip waders or chest waders will help a lot too. Get more winter tips in my other article here.
SPRING: With the snow melt season is upon us in the high country and occasional heavy rains drench the front range, some spots can get dangerous to the point of being life threatening. Smaller creeks are an excellent choice, so check out Cache Creek in June and July (before that the gate isn’t open since the area is an elk calving grounds and winter forage area). Read my post about Cache Creek here: Cache Creek Prospecting Site – Finding Gold in Colorado Some of the smaller creeks in Park County (Chapter F of my books) are a good option as well, or smaller waterways in metro Denver. It’s wise to avoid Clear Creek through Clear Creek County, Jefferson County and metro Denver because, without dams upstream, water levels can vary dramatically from hour to hour on a warm day or when there’s a brief rainstorm upstream somewhere. (Same story for the Yampa River in NW Colorado.) For Denverites, instead of Clear Creek, head to the South Platte River in metro Denver (Grant-Frontier Park prospecting tips – Finding Gold in Colorado for example or Hints for prospecting at “Big Bend” – Finding Gold in Colorado), where water levels may rise but are much less unpredictable. Or head up to one of the sites on North Clear Creek (see chapter C of my guidebooks) since that creek generally doesn’t rise as much.
SUMMER: As summer progresses, water levels drop in the bigger rivers. River flow supplementation for the Arkansas River rafting season ends no later than 8/15, so any time after that, water levels will be much more moderate. Other rivers drop too, as does Clear Creek west of Denver. Lots of options open up but as water levels in little creeks drop, those waterways can become more challenging for sluices, etc. Some places get awfully hot in summer such as metro Denver, the far west including the lower San Miguel & Dolores River & the lower Colorado River & the Yampa too. As you might guess, I tend to avoid those areas during the peak of summer. I especially avoid Arapahoe Bar in summer because it gets smelly and gross! What is the best in the summer? Something in the high country where temps are a bit cooler like this Fairplay town prospecting park – prospecting hints – Finding Gold in Colorado or put on the river sandals, shorts & your Finding Gold in Colorado logo t-shirt to jump in wherever you find yourself!
FALL: With very low water levels and milder weather, the far west of the state, the Arkansas River and metro Denver get more appealing. Some smaller creeks (even Cache Creek) become almost impossible to even pan without digging a hole in the creek bed as a panning hole! If you’re willing to build a dam, you may find yourself running all the flow of a creek through your sluice just to get it running. Even so, on a sunny late fall day, the high-country river sites can be amazing – mild weather, low water, no crowds, no rafters, what more could you ask for?!? Again, fall is the perfect time to head west to the sites I suggested avoiding in summer such as the lower San Miguel & Dolores Rivers, the western part of the Colorado River, the Eagle River and the Yampa River too (see my guidebooks for details of course). Here is an example western slope site Norwood Bridge Recreational Placer Mining Area – Prospecting Tips – Finding Gold in Colorado and here is another Piñon Bridge BLM Prospecting Area – Prospecting Tips – Finding Gold in Colorado …enjoy!
I hope all of this helps you see how I’m able to enjoy prospecting 12 months a year, and you can too! What areas of the state you particularly enjoy at certain times of year? Let me know in the comments below.
2 thoughts on “Year-round Gold Prospecting in Colorado”
Great article Kevin and thanks 🙏