June 8th, 2024 Field Trip to Little Naches (thunder eggs, lily pad jasper, leaf fossils)

Past Field Trips

On June 8th, 2024, we’re going over Chinook Pass to Little Naches for Thunder Eggs, Lilypad Jasper, and Leaf Fossils.  The Thunder Egg dig site involves a ~1/2 mile hike, but the other two sites are next to the road. Meet 8:00AM at the Enumclaw Ranger Station.  Group leaves promptly at 8:15.

We’ll drive over Chinook Pass to FR19 (Forest Road 19), turn left, and park on the side of FR19 where there’s a campground and toilets. This is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Enumclaw (~80 miles), and is around MP91 or 92 (milepost). We’ll make sure we have all the vehicles at that point, let people use the “facilities”, then head up FR19 for 1.6 miles, turn right on FR1901 for about 4.4 miles and park. The hike to the thunderegg dig spot is ~1/2 mile.
Probably spend 2-3 hours digging for thundereggs, and then head back to the cars where we’ll drive on to the next 2 sites. It will be a full day.

Roger Danneman (roger.danneman@gmail.com  hm # 425-228-8781 or cell  # 425-757-3506).

Updated: June 25, 2024 — 8:41 am

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile 2024 is in our rearview mirror. It was a very successful year for our club. We moved our Cascade Gem Show to June at Kent Commons. It has been an excellent decision for our club. We had the largest attendance since resuming our shows in 2018, with approximately 3,200 visitors! The proceeds from our two club auctions in 2024 brought in around $1,800. These funds help to cover our club’s largest expense, the liability insurance policy. I expect the premium for 2025 will be near $3,000. Our booth at the Puyallup Gem Faire …

Meeting Announcements

  • February 13th – Jim Cerenzie – Finding New (Old) Rockhounding Sites Our club member, Jim Cerenzie, is going to speak on how he finds long forgotten sites to hunt for rocks and crystals. He has a YouTube channel called the “Vug Meister” where he and his son go rockhounding to these places. If you watch YouTube please support him by subscribing to his channel. Show ‘n Tell: Your favorite rockhounding find. It can be a find from a field trip, your yard, the beach, or a riverbed.

  • March 13th – Field Trip Preview by Roger Danneman Where will we go this year? Join our wagonmaster Roger Danneman as he gives us a preview of all of the places the Club will explore this year on field trips – and what kinds of materials you might find there. Show ‘n Tell: Something you’ve found on a prior field trip (with a club or on your own!).

  • April 10th – Rock BINGO Kent schools on spring break. So all you members, junior members and their friends, your grandkids, guests it is time for our Rock Bingo night.  Everyone is guaranteed to be a winner. Rock Bingo is free tonight – bring 3 wrapped presents (see below). Maximum 3 game cards per player. Each player is to bring 3 wrapped presents. Rocks, minerals, fossils, cabachons, slabs, jewelry, or anything that you think would be a nice gift.  Guests do not need to bring any wrapped items.

  • May 8th – Glaciers by Paul Ahnberg What are the benefits of glaciers? Glaciers, slow-moving rivers of ice, have sculpted mountains and carved valleys throughout Earth’s history. They continue to flow and shape the landscape in many places today. But glaciers affect much more than the landscape. Show ‘n Tell: A white or clear mineral or crystal.

Current News