CMS Sept. 19th 2020 Fieldtrip to Redtop (agate, jasper, crystals) – (rescheduled from June 13th)

Past Field Trips

On Sept. 19th 2020, we will be going to the west side of Red Top mountain north of Cle Elum.   There is no hike involved, but you do need to cross a rock slide which is fairly steep.  Dig site is just above the rock slide and under tree canopy. The agate is fairly plentiful just under the surface there, and is a light blueish grey color.  The jasper has nice creamy blue and brown tones, sometimes with blue veins or inclusions.  Crystals can be found in the hard rock and in the rock slide, as well as the dig site.

Some of the agates/jasper I have found at this site – tumbled and polished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet at 9:45 at the Mineral Springs Store (Mineral Springs Resort on Google Maps) 27510 US-97.  If you pass FR 9738 (Blue Creek Rd), you’ve gone too far, as this is the road that the group will take towards the dig site.  Mineral Springs is about a 2 hour drive from Renton/Kent, over Snoqualmie Pass.
Group leaves promptly at 10:00.  Dig and hard rock tools.  The Cle Elum Safeway is another good intermediate stop for coffee, facilities, gas, or snacks.

Remember to check the Field Trip Reports tab to see what material has been found on previous trips and locations.

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

Updated: September 23, 2020 — 8:57 pm

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.

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