SIXES BLACK SAND
The Sixes River flows into the Pacific at Cape Blanco. It is unique because it carries gold right down to the ocean. Historic miners worked the beaches here, and the black sand concentrations are insane.
State Park Rules
The mouth of the river is within **Cape Blanco State Park**. Rules here are strict: "Hands and Pans" only on the beach.
No Sluices on Beach: You generally cannot use sluice boxes in the surf or on the park beach. Move upstream to BLM / Forest Service lands (like the Edson Creek area) for equipment use.
Flood Deposits
Winter storms wash gold down from the mountains. The best time to prospect is after a king tide or heavy storm event has reshaped the beach.
The Weather
It is fast, wet, and windy. This is not majestic sunny prospecting. It is rugged. Dress in layers and bring rain gear.
Fine Gold King
The gold here is extremely fine (flour). You need a "Gold Cube" or fine matting to catch it. Riffles will lose it all.
Field Tips: Magnetic Separation
The black sand (magnetite/hematite) is so heavy here it will clog your pan instantly. **Bring a strong magnet.** Use it to carefully lift the magnetic black sand off your concentrates, leaving the gold behind. Do this dry if possible.
What Your Gold Is Worth
Rough spot-price estimate of your find. Real payout depends on purity, weight, and who you sell to — but this gives you a ballpark before you head home.
This is a rough calculator — purity, refinery fees, and market spread all affect what you actually get. Check current spot prices before selling.
Gold Knowledge Resources
Optional gold-culture references for readers curious about bars, coins, purity and storage language after prospecting. These are third-party resources, not financial advice.
BullionVault
Third-party resource for learning how vaulted physical gold services describe storage, fees and custody.
Retailer reference. No commission tracking is confirmed.BullionStar
Useful for comparing bars, coins, premiums and purity language after learning field testing basics.
Affiliate link. Paystreak may earn a commission; check the provider’s terms.APMEX
Browse mainstream bullion product formats and premiums as gold-culture background, not prospecting advice.
Retailer reference. No commission tracking is confirmed.JM Bullion
Reference catalogue for seeing common retail names, weights and purity markings used on coins and bars.
Retailer reference. No commission tracking is confirmed.The Digger's Code
- Backfill all holes before you leave.
- Pack out all your trash.
- Respect fence lines and gates.
Legal Disclaimer
Land access rights, safety conditions, and public fossicking zones change. You are solely responsible for verifying regulations with local authorities (DOC/Council/BLM) and assessing river safety before visiting. Paystreak.io accepts no liability for injury, fines, or trespassing. Never dig on private land without explicit permission.
✓ Information last verified: January 2026