Gold-Seeking Vacation Extra Fun If It Pans Out
Q: Our family is going to Eastern Oregon for our summer vacation, and we’ve heard the public can pan for gold on some federal or state lands. We’ve never done it before, but we’d like to add it to our camping vacation. Can you suggest some locations? - B.L., Coeur d’Alene.
A: Gold panning is great family fun and exciting when you actually find some real stuff.
From personal experience I know it is easy to catch gold fever, despite the back pain and muscle cramping from standing in cold water, squatting down and being hunched over for long periods of time.
Typically, you’re likely to find only “flour” gold, so light and fine that you’ll need a squeeze bottle to pick it up. But there’s always the prospect that the next pan will yield a nugget.
Oregon’s recreational gold panning is outlined in a pamphlet available from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (503-731-4100). The pamphlet details four general areas in the state, one of which is in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in eastern Oregon. The Baker City forest district office (503-523-6391) can provide more information on the campground facilities and other recreational opportunities in the designated gold panning areas of Eagle Forks and McCully Forks campgrounds and Antlers Guard Station.
In Oregon, recreational gold panning is permitted on nearly all streams and rivers running through campgrounds located on Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands. The areas below the vegetation line on navigable rivers and streams and ocean beaches belong to the state of Oregon and are open for recreational panning.
If you want to get some Idaho panning experience before your scheduled vacation, go to Babin’s Grocery (208-682-4317) located at the Prichard “Y” about 22 miles upstream from exit 43 (Kingston) on Interstate 90. Instruction and pans are provided; all ages welcomed. Pans of dirt cost $3-$20.
For your gold prospecting equipment needs and general information, visit Bowen’s Hideout (509-534-4004) in Spokane. Ask about a membership in the Gold Prospectors of America Association, which allows members more opportunities to pan on private lands throughout the United States.
INFORMATION SOURCES:
For recreation information and maps for Oregon’s federal lands: USFS Recreation Information Office, (503) 326-2877 and Bureau of Land Management, (503) 952-6001.
For eastern Oregon visitor information: Baker County Visitor and Convention Bureau, (800) 523-1235 or (503) 523-3356.
Q: We are going to the Olympic Peninsula this August for a biking vacation and prefer to stay at bed and breakfasts. Can you suggest some B&Bs located near some designated biking routes? - J.B. and S.B., Valleyford, Wash.
A: One of my favorite areas on the peninsula is Forks, Wash. Once a thriving timber town, it now attracts visitors seeking a wide range of recreational opportunities.
There is a biking map available from the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau (360-698-7411). The routes are rated for difficulty and road safety. An easy, safe biking route is along the La Push Road between Forks and La Push on the coast.
Forks has many fine B&B homes from which to choose. I have stayed at only one place, the Miller Tree Inn (360-374-6806). It is a 1917 country homestead with a large variety of tree species and lots of birdhouses and bird feeders. It has an outdoor hot tub to relax your tired muscles. Two rooms have full baths, two have half-baths, and two share a bath. Rates are $55-$70.
INFORMATION SOURCES:
For more choices of B&Bs and other recreational opportunities in the Forks area: Forks Chamber of Commerce, (360) 374-2531, and the North Olympic Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau, (800) 942-4042 or (360) 452-8552.
Q: Our family of 24 is looking for a central place to meet next July for a family reunion. We’d prefer suggestions in the Redmond, Ore., area. Our needs are a place to sleep and eat (with self-preparation) - K. P., Spokane.
A: For the large size of your group, I would recommend either Kah-Nee-Ta Resort on the Warm Springs Reservation or The Inn of the Seventh Mountain near Mount Bachelor. Both have recreational opportunities for all ages.
The village area at Kah-Nee-Ta Resort is composed of cottages, teepees, RV and tent campsites. There is a playground, picnic site and hot springs pool for swimming and soaking at the village. Nature trails, guided horse rides, a trout stream and hatchery, and a championship 18-hole golf course are located near the village. The two-bedroom cottages have cooking facilities.
The Inn of the Seventh Mountain is located on the road to Mount Bachelor near Bend. It offers condos with full cooking facilities and connecting units. The resort has a pool, three hot tubs, miniature golf and playground. Its recreation department can arrange biking, canoeing, rafting and trail rides.
INFORMATION SOURCES:
For information on Kah-Nee-Ta Resort, (800) 831-0100 or (503) 553-1112.
For information on The Inn of the Seventh Mountain, (800) 452-6810 or (503) 382-8711.
Send your Northwest travel questions to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, PO Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210- 1615; or FAX to (509) 459-5098.
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