This hard rock and placer mining area is easy to get to and is just to the southeast of the famous Vulture Mine founded by Henery Wickenburg. This mine has quite a history and there are tours and a gift shop at the mine site, I don't know if they are open at this time you will have to check with the caretaker. There are many open shafts and prospects in the placer area and care must be taken when working here. This is an interesting spot and there are plenty of good spots to camp There are many active claims here so pay attention to where you are.

TOPO MAP: Vulture Mountains 15-minute quadrangle.

ACESS: From HWY 60 west through Wickenburg to Vulture Mine Road, go left [south] on Vulture Mine Road and travel about 12 or 14 miles to a gate on the right with a sign that says "Buckshot Mine". Open the gate and follow the dirt road on back for a few miles into the placer area. Stay off of the Vulture Mine property, it is marked with signs and there is a fence as a border in some spots.

EXTENT: The Vulture placer ground covers about 3 square miles in the pediment of Red Top Basin, northwest of the Vulture Mine, and continues down Vulture Wash for about 2 miles southeast of the Vulture Mine. Although the gold is distributed throughout the gravels, it is more abundant near bedrock. The gravels range in thickness from a few inches to over 10 feet. Nuggets weighing several ounces have been found here although very, very rare. The ground here is quite easy to work, but there is abundant trash in the area.

TIPS : This is one of those spots where you quickly tire of digging trash, but don't let it get to you or you will miss gold! Drywashing can be productive here also.