Emilie Meyer
Gold panning is a popular pastime in Canada, with many people continuing the search for gold in the North Saskatchewan River valley. While gold is not found in high quantities, there is enough in the sands and gravels of the North Saskatchewan River to keep enthusiasts interested. Gold panning is permitted in Jasper National Park, where gold was discovered in 1987. However, it is important to note that gold panning requires not only skill but also an understanding of the local geology, and it may be necessary to avoid claimed areas to avoid trespassing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gold in Jasper National Park | Gold was discovered in the park in 1987 |
| Type of Gold | Flour gold, found in tiny flakes |
| Origin | Believed to have originated from the Rocky Mountains or the Canadian Shield |
| Quantity | Not found in high quantities, but enough has eroded and concentrated in the North Saskatchewan River |
| Gold Panning in the Area | Panning is a popular pastime, with people regularly panning in the North Saskatchewan River |
| Gold Rush History | Yes, there is a history of a gold rush in the region, with a stampede of prospectors arriving after the discovery |
| Gold Panning Difficulty | Requires skill and understanding of local geology |
| Gold Panning Locations | Terwillegar Park, Emily Murphy Park, Prospector's Point in Devon, and river bends/widening banks |
| Gold in Alberta Rockies | Nuggets are rare, but dust and flakes have been found in streams and rivers |
| Gold in Jasper Before it was a Park | There are tales of a gold rush in Jasper before it became a park, but the exact location is unknown |
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What You'll Learn
Gold was found in Jasper National Park in 1987
Gold was discovered in Jasper National Park in 1987. The park is located in Alberta, Canada, and has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was first inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Nakoda, Cree, Secwépemc, and Dane-zaa nations. In the early 19th century, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe people moved to the region in large numbers, and by the early 1800s, hundreds of them were living there.
In 1817, the park's namesake, Jasper Haws, a Maryland-born fur trader, took command of a post on the upper Athabasca River, which became known as Jasper's House. The area that became Jasper National Park played a crucial role in the fur trade, with brigades travelling through Athabasca Pass and staying at Jasper House.
In the 1820s, the British government merged the Hudson's Bay Company with the North West Company, and the governor, George Simpson, ordered the construction of a post on Cranberry or Moose Lake in Yellowhead Pass. This eventually led to the establishment of the town of Jasper.
While there are mentions of a gold rush in Jasper before it became a park, the discovery of gold in 1987 was significant. The gold was found in 500-million-year-old bedrock exposed in the park, and while it was not in high quantities, enough had eroded to concentrate in the sands and gravels of the North Saskatchewan River. This discovery sparked interest in gold panning in the area, with people travelling to nearby locations to try their luck at finding gold.
Gold panning requires skill and knowledge of the local geology, as placer gold accumulates in specific areas, such as river bends and widened banks where water slows down and drops heavy minerals. While gold panning is not permitted within Jasper National Park due to the potential disturbance of natural areas, there are nearby regions, such as the Caribou region of British Columbia, where gold panning is possible and gold rush history can be explored.
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Gold panning is a popular pastime in the region
The discovery of gold in the area dates back to 1859 when James Hector of the Palliser Expedition reported samples found near Fort Edmonton. The heyday of placer gold mining in Edmonton began in 1895, but this boom was short-lived as the discovery of gold in the Klondike drew most miners north. Today, gold panning in the area is a leisurely activity, with an Active Gold Panning Society in the region.
The Royal Alberta Museum also notes that gold was discovered in Jasper National Park itself in 1987, when 500-million-year-old bedrock was exposed. This discovery revealed that the source of the flour gold found in the North Saskatchewan River was likely the Rocky Mountains or the Canadian Shield.
Some have claimed that gold nuggets can be found in the area, with one person claiming to have found a nugget the size of a pencil eraser in the McLeod River upstream of Edson. Another story tells of a gold nugget found on the west side of Jasper Park by Chris McCready, which led to gold claims in the area. However, others have stated that gold nuggets are rare in Alberta, and that most gold found is in the form of tiny flakes.
For those interested in gold panning, it is important to note that gold is found where water slows down, such as river bends and widened banks. Understanding the local geology is also crucial to successful gold panning.
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Gold is found in the North Saskatchewan River valley
Gold panning is a popular activity in the North Saskatchewan River valley, where prospectors have been searching for gold since the mid-1800s. The river's gold deposits were first discovered in 1859 when James Hector of the Palliser Expedition was shown samples of gold unearthed from the gravel banks of the North Saskatchewan River. News of the discovery spread among prospectors passing through Edmonton, sparking a gold rush in the region.
The North Saskatchewan River, which runs through Edmonton, is known for its fine gold deposits, often in the form of "flour gold". This type of gold is characterized by its very fine texture, and while it may not be economically viable in most areas, it has drawn recreational gold miners and prospectors to the region for decades.
Robin Rosborough, a local prospector, has been panning for gold along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River for over three decades. He has perfected the art of gold panning and has found several ideal spots for gold prospecting, particularly where ancient riverbeds intersect with newer tributaries, bringing fresh gold deposits to the surface each spring.
Gold panning is a laborious process that involves sifting through large amounts of silt and rock. The lighter material is then carefully washed away, leaving behind the heavier gold, which settles to the bottom of a sluice box or pan. While large gold nuggets are rare in the region, dedicated prospectors like Rosborough can accumulate a significant amount of gold over time.
In addition to the North Saskatchewan River, other rivers in the province, such as the Beaver River, Assiniboine River, and Churchill River, are also known to have fine gold deposits. Recreational gold panning is allowed in Saskatchewan, but it is important to obtain permission from the landowner before accessing any land for prospecting.
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Gold is also found in the McLeod River upstream of Edson
Gold panning is a popular pastime in Alberta, Canada, with the price of gold influencing interest in the activity. While gold nuggets are rare in Alberta, gold dust and flakes can be found in the province's rivers and creeks. The McLeod River, a major tributary of the Athabasca River, is one such river where gold has been found.
The McLeod River begins in the southern arm of Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park, about 5 kilometres east of the eastern boundary of Jasper National Park. The river originates from a northward basin between Tripoli Ridge and the Cardinal Divide, a watershed divide that separates water that eventually drains north into the Arctic Ocean and east into Hudson Bay. As the river snakes through the foothills, it is joined by four major tributaries: the Gregg, Erith, Embarrass, and Edson rivers.
Gold is found in the McLeod River upstream of Edson, specifically in the gravel operations down Old Road in Hinton. One individual reported finding a gold nugget about the size of a pencil eraser in this location. The presence of gold in the McLeod River makes it a potential site for gold panning activities.
It is important to note that gold panning requires not only skill but also an understanding of the local geology. Gold accumulates in areas where water slows down, such as river bends and widened banks. Additionally, a license is generally not required for gold panning unless mechanized equipment, such as sluice boxes, are used. In such cases, a license must be obtained from Alberta Energy.
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Barkerville is a restored gold rush town in British Columbia
After the gold rush ended, Barkerville was largely abandoned, and by the 1930s, only a handful of residents remained. However, the rise in gold prices during that decade renewed interest in the area, and miners returned in search of undiscovered claims. Recognizing the town's historical significance, the province decided to restore Barkerville in 1958 and turn it into a tourist attraction.
Today, Barkerville operates as an interactive museum, typically open from mid-May through late September. Visitors can pan for gold, watch demonstrations of 19th-century life, such as blacksmithing and cooking, ride a stagecoach, and participate in trial re-enactments at the courthouse. The town also holds a Victorian Christmas celebration in December, with admission by donation.
Barkerville is accessible via a 10-hour drive from Vancouver or a 1.5-hour drive from Quesnel, the closest major town. The journey follows the historic Cariboo Trail, the original route taken by gold miners during the Cariboo Gold Rush, now known as the Cariboo Highway or Highway 97.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gold panning is allowed in Jasper National Park. Gold was discovered in the park in 1987, and while it is not found in high quantities, it is still a popular pastime.
Gold can be found in the North Saskatchewan River, particularly in the sands and gravels where the river slows down, such as river bends and where banks widen.
The best time to go gold panning is during the summer when the weather is warmer and the rivers are typically lower, exposing more of the riverbed and banks where gold can be found.
You will need a gold pan, which can be purchased or rented, as well as other basic supplies like a small shovel, a bucket, and a sieve. It is also recommended to have an understanding of the local geology to increase your chances of finding gold.
