There is gold in Washington. First off, get the "gold and fish" book from fish and wildlife. Can either download it of get a printout from one of their offices. Free, and is going to be your bible as to when and how.

Beach mining is allowed at the Cape, and can be productive at the right time and layer. Last time I was there, black sand was over a hundred feet wide and well over 4 feet deep for well over a mile of beach.

Look up the chapters in the state, here on the site. Contact info is provided. I know several of the members in Vancouver...great folks and a lot of knowledge to be had.

Welcome and if you get down to the Salem/Eugene area will be glad to show you the claims in the area.

The claims you spoke of are they GPAA claims near Salem? Thanks,
mcdan

Mack...
Check out the Quartzville Group, above Sweet Home by about 30 miles. Right now they are still in a fire closure area. Road is closed about a mile short of getting there. I'm one of the owners of 2 of the 3 in the group. Always willing to show members around. Also a good sized public area on quartzville creek that is accessible pretty much year around. Brownsville chapter has adopted all 3 of these claims. Check out that chapter as well as Portland and Vancouver chapters. Good folks in all 3.

Also look at the Golden cat and paradise claims out of cottage grove. Cat is paved road all the way. Paradise is about 3 miles above cat up a rough road, limited parking and a long steep climb down and back from the water.

These are the closest to Salem.

Online guide, select Oregon, then Linn and Lane counties.