I've done this a few times here in Washington state. It's a healthy fun way to get outside and explore geology. Placer mining is one of humanity's oldest techn

I've done this a few times here in Washington state. It's a healthy fun way to get outside and explore geology. Placer mining is one of humanity's oldest technologies. It doesn't have to be environmentally destructive like 19th century California. I had success by joining a local prospecting society, which provided guidance and access to dozens of actual claims.