Re: Newbie questions: ( Surveying "virgin" creeks, home panning, suburban watersheds,etc.) Long Intro !

I sell a copy of the Gold Pyrite belt map around Mineral, Virginia.
$15.00  postage free
There is plenty of gold in Contrary Creek, north of Mineral, VA at and
below the bridge on 522.  Plenty of parking and easy uncomplicated
access.  You must pry the bedrock shale apart with a crowbar and
either dredge the gold up or use a teaspoon and pan.

Also, go to Scotts Run upstream from the parking lot to a sharp bend.
Pan or dredge the sediments on the slip off slope.  You will need
gloves here.   Lots of broken glass.  Also, lots of gold.

http://www.explorationgeologist.com

Bear in mind that the core rocks of the Appalachians, the Grenville
Formation is over 2500 million years old.  To the east the Piedmont
has witnessed eight major tectonic events which have created metal
bearing mineral zones up to the Miocene.
Gold is found near Jeffersons home Monticello in Albermarle County and
eastward.  There is a great amount of gold in Virginia.