Please read

The same information on locations that is listed on this website is also published in dozens of books, websites, available from the BLM and AZ Dept of Mines.

Do not call or email me complaining unless you plan on calling every other publisher of gold prospecting information.

If you have a concern a well thought out, kind email will get the most response from me.

However it is doubtful I will remove any information unless book publishers also pull the books off the shelves and all other websites take down the same information.

North of Phoenix

From Phoenix take I - 17 north to exit 236, Table Mesa Road. Turn left (West) across the bridge at the stop sign and then make a quick right and head north on the dirt road. Most of the roads get regular gradings. I have even seen cars driving these roads. There are several main roads that turn off to the west and they all cross the Auga Fria River. One enters Lake Pleasant, one takes you by the old Ghost Town of Gillette, and one takes you next to an old mining operation which is still active as far as I know. The area north of Lake Pleasant is also productive.

Below are a few pictures of some of the typical terrain you will encounter. Be sure to looks for cracks in the bedrock and check those drain pipes for signs of color. A lot of the gold in this area ranges from small flakes to 1/4 ounce nuggets. The most common type of gold found in quantity in this area is fine gold. All pictures below with a gold border can be enlarged. There are three maps at the bottom with GPS waypoints to get you started in the right direction. Your legality and safety are your own responsibility. 

Your best chances are on the West side of the Agua Fria. Look for tributaries and small creeks with exposed bedrock. The gold can be widely scattered but once gold is found usually more follows. Look for potholes in the bedrock and cracks to clean out and jumbles of rocks jammed together in washes. Be sure to check all sharp curves in washes with exposed bedrock. Water can be scarce in the area depending on season. There are claims in the area so if you see signs or markers stay off the claims. You can usually figure out a claims boundaries by locating the corner markers for the claims. Remember your safety is your responsibility and it is your job to find out if it is legal to be in the area you are in doing what your doing. For myself if I do not see markers or signs I don't worry too much.

Best of Luck!...Rod