Oct 6th, 2018 Red Top West Side Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

Another great field trip to Red Top on Oct. 6th. We had 5 vehicles and 9 members. It snowed up there the day/night before, but otherwise conditions were very good with sunshine and beautiful views. Road conditions were excellent. We hit the snow level driving in at 4200 ft. Dig site is at 4500 ft, but snow depth was only about 1-3 inches. (Note that the road going in peaks at 4800 feet.)  Luckily we were able to sweep aside the snow and get good access to soft dirt in the dig holes. Soil in the dig holes was not wet, but as the snow was melting it was tough not getting a little muddy from around the hole, and extra care had to be taken when walking on the slushy slope. It was wise to have a hood or big hat as the snow melted off the trees in gobs and occasionally free falling to our heads and backs. All that said, I thought it was well worth the trip as we turned up a lot of agate and jasper material to keep tumblers busy for awhile this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip Report submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Leader.

Updated: May 21, 2019 — 11:12 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.

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