GPAA Claims Above Idaho Springs, Colorado

Last Monday the wife and I grabbed our "adopted redheaded grandson," 4-year-old Hayden, and a bucket full of implements of prospecting, then aimed the car west towards the magnificent Colorado Rockies. It's an hour from nearly anywhere in the Denver metro area, straight up I-70 to the west.

Getting There

For the first 1/4 mile or so south of the Interstate, you'll find Indian Hot Springs Resort is on both sides of the road—GO SLOW, speed limit 15! The folks that own the hot springs also own and operate the famous Argo mine and mill. If you've got the time, be sure to take the tour!

About the Claims

The parking for the GPAA claims is clear at the end of Soda Springs Rd. Nice little parking lot and trailhead, easily accessed by the family sedan. Turns out the parking lot is in fact on the middle claim of the 3 adjacent claims—one uphill and one down.

This time of year there is nearly no water in the creek, especially on the upper claim. In the spring during the snow melt, however, it can be a dangerous raging torrent. Of course this is actually a good thing since it re-classifies a lot of new gold-bearing material for us.

Pro Tip: Take the Mine Tours

If you plan ahead to have enough time, it's a worthy effort to take the Argo mine tour and note the material that was being found on the north side of the valley. Then go on up to the Phoenix Mine and take Al's tour, and note how much different the material on the south side of the valley is.

That difference will tell the observant prospector exactly what we are looking for on the GPAA mine claims. Be sure to tell Al and Dave that Johnny Walker sent ya!

Our Experience

Hayden was a natural—what little boy doesn't like to dig and play in the mud? In fact, what age do you have to be not to? It was a blast! We found a few flakes and some nice dust pay streaks in the bottom of our pan. We even came home with some concentrates to play with on the back porch.

The sunshine was golden and the memories are priceless treasures! But I suppose the real treasure that fine day was getting to start another little prospector on the right trail!