Hey, you ever wonder if there’s gold in New York? Well, let me tell ya, there is, but it ain’t like them big fancy places out West. In New York, it’s mostly placer gold, which means it’s the kind you find in rivers and streams, not big ol’ nuggets sitting out in the open. But don’t get too excited, ’cause finding gold here is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Now, if you’re thinkin’ about where to start lookin’, the best spots are up north, near the Adirondacks. There’s a bit of history in those hills, and folks have found gold around the Finger Lakes too. But don’t think you’re gonna be rich anytime soon. The gold here is small and takes a lot of work to get to. Folks say it’s mostly placer deposits, little flakes that wash down from the rocks.
Let me tell ya, though, if you’re serious ’bout gold prospecting, you’ll probably need to travel. Some folks head over to Vermont or even Connecticut, ’cause the pickings are better over there. And if you got the time and the money, well, out West is really where the big gold is. New York is more for folks who just wanna tinker around and maybe get lucky now and again.
There’s some records of gold mining in New York, over 600 spots folks have tried, but not all of ’em were successful. Historical data shows there’s been producers and plants, but most of them are long gone. Museums around here might tell ya about some of the history, but the real gold stories are from other places.
What you gotta keep in mind is, gold here ain’t sittin’ on the surface. You gotta know your geology. Some folks talk about bedrock formations, which are those hard layers deep down in the earth where the gold can get trapped. Problem is, in most of New York, the bedrock is buried under all sorts of dirt and debris, so it’s a tough job to get to it. Upstate’s your best bet, and even there, it ain’t easy.
Now, I ain’t saying don’t give it a try. It’s kinda fun, out in nature, working the streams, sifting through dirt. But like I said, don’t quit your day job! It’s more of a hobby around here. And make sure you’re following the rules, ’cause just like anywhere else, you can’t just dig up the ground wherever you want. There’s regulations, and you might need a permit in some places.
If you’re still interested, grab your gold pan and head out to the rivers. Some folks say they’ve had luck around places like East Branch Delaware River or even around the Hudson Valley, but those stories are few and far between. Best to go with low expectations, and if you find a little flake or two, consider yourself lucky!
- Start around the Finger Lakes or Adirondacks if you wanna stay in New York.
- If you don’t mind travelin’, try Vermont or Connecticut, the gold’s better there.
- Remember, most of the gold in New York is placer, so stick to the rivers and streams.
- It’s a lotta work for small rewards, but hey, it’s still fun if you enjoy the outdoors.
So there you have it. Gold mining in New York ain’t no get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s somethin’ to do if you’re lookin’ for a bit of adventure and don’t mind getting your hands dirty. You never know, maybe you’ll strike it lucky with a little flake of gold, but just don’t expect to be walkin’ away with pockets full of riches!
Tags:[gold mining, placer gold, New York gold prospecting, Finger Lakes, Adirondacks, bedrock, gold panning, rivers, geology]