April 21st, 2024 Saddle Mtn Field Trip Report

On Sun. April 21st we had a field trip to Saddle Mtn. for petrified wood It’s estimated that the petrified wood there is at least 14-15 million years old. We met at 9:45 in Mattawa and at 10:10 slowly made our way up into the hills on the infamous rough and rocky road. It was sunny but windy. The east side of the ridge was somewhat protected from the wind, but all of us got a little bit gritty from digging. There are several spots one can go in the Saddle Mtns., but I like this particular site because the material has more color and is plentiful, although mostly what I would call tumbler material. It is nicely agatized and rivals some of the nicest earth-tone agates in the state.
We had 16 people in 10 vehicles for this trip.
Joining me were Michelle & Jerry M., Arlie W. & guest Tonya, Noelle B., Pete W., Alex & Brandi W., Jarrod D., Jason S. and 2 sons, Kari C., Kelley G. (new member), and Pete A. (new member).

Loren Merriman will lead another trip to Saddle Mtn on Sunday April 28th and then the next CMS field trip after that is on May 11th to First Creek near Cle Elum. Loren will lead another trip to First Creek on Sunday May 19th. Info will be sent out 1 week ahead of that by e-mail to my Field Trips Distribution List.

Submitted by Roger Danneman Field Trip Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: April 27, 2024 — 11:51 am

Presidents Message

  • Digging It!  May is finally here, and with the snow clearing, the flowers blooming, and the rains letting up a bit (hopefully), that rock fever is hitting us all pretty hard. I hope you all had a great time at the Rock Bingo night last month! The Big Show is Coming! We are now less than two months away from our Cascade Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show, which will be held June 27–28 at Kent Commons. This is our biggest event of the year, and as I mentioned when I started my term, the people are what make this club

Meeting Announcements

  • Our own Mike Blanton will bring his expertise to this club meeting program – he will share the tools, tips and tricks he has developed to drill holes in stones and minerals so you can do more with the rocks you find. Show and Tell: bring a rock you’d like to make into something else.

  • Club Wagonmaster and rock shop creator Roger Danneman will present an overview of the new club shop – including equipment, scheduling, stewards, and what you can expect from this exciting new resource.  Show and Tell: bring a rock you want to polish or make into a cabochon (or something you’ve already polished or made)

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