There's gold in them-thar hills. That was the rallying cry during the mid-1800s gold rush to California. Today people still pan for gold throughout the state, including around the aptly named town of Coarsegold, a small community near the southern edge of Yosemite National Park. The region is home to many campgrounds and gold panning areas. Tourist-oriented gold panning tours in the area provide assistance, gear and guides.
Pack extra layers of warm clothing. Because of the area's proximity to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, temperatures may get cool to downright cold at night, even during summer. Bring a fleece or puffy vest, jacket and long pants for cooler evening temperatures. Pack hats, gloves and extra socks along with the other clothing.
Check with park rangers or campground hosts for rules regarding safe food storage. Black bears are abundant in the region, and many parks and campgrounds require that food be stored in bear-proof canisters or lock boxes. Store all food or items with scents -- including toothpaste, deodorant and toiletries -- in a lock box or bear-proof canister.
Check the rules regarding open fires and importing firewood from outside sources. Because of insect infestations, many parks prohibit the use of outside firewood. Check before bringing wood into the region. Check what the fire danger is for the national forest. Do not build fires at the campground during fire bans.
Camp in an a RV or camper trailer campground such as the South Yosemite KOA in Coarsegold if you need the amenities of a large camping area. If you want back-country camping, reserve a space at one of the National Forest campgrounds near Coarsegold.
Keep pets leashed and under control during your stay. The National Forest campgrounds allow pets if leashed, and private campgrounds have individual rules regarding camping with pets.
Go to the Coarsegold Historic Museum at 35463 Highway 41 (see Resources). Take the gold panning sluice tour and learn about gold panning in the area. The tour finishes with participants gold panning in the laced streams, to which gold has been added for tourist gold panning. Any gold you find, you keep.
Purchase gold pans and head to stream-side areas near your campground. Push the gold pan into the ground around the creek or stream edges and pull out a chunk of gravel with enough water to swirl in the pan. Gently swirl the water so the lighter dirt sediments slosh over the sides of the pan, leaving the heavier rocks or gold dust in the pan.
Go to one of the ranger stations in the Sierra National Forest -- part of which surrounds Coarsegold -- and look for ranger-led gold panning tours and talks. Sign up and get firsthand knowledge from the rangers about how to pan for gold.
