April 21st, 2024 Saddle Mtn Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

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!  September is here, and it looks like a wonderful month so far for getting together and getting out in the field. First, thank you to everyone who helped make our August picnic and club auction such a success. The delicious food, generous donations, volunteer help and spirited bidding made it a great afternoon, and the auction raised $750 for the club. We return to our regular meeting schedule on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Kent. Our program is all about YOU: Show, Tell & Transform, where you get to briefly present …

Meeting Announcements

  • This program is all about YOU. Bring a rock, mineral, fossil, or other field find that you would like to turn into something. It might become a cabochon, carving, display specimen, jewelry piece, slab, polished piece, or something entirely different. Bring your item and share: Where and how you found or acquired it What interests you about the material What you’re considering making from it Any questions or challenges you would like help thinking through Then we’ll open the conversation to our knowledgeable and curious club members. Together, we can discuss the material, possible designs, cutting or finishing approaches, and other ideas that might help you take the piece from field find to finished project. You do not need to have a complete plan or any special expertise. That’s part of the fun. Bring the piece itself if possible, along with any sketches, inspiration photos, or examples that might help explain your idea.

  • Noelle Barnes will present Using Gaia for Rockhounding, an overview of the features and tricks associated with the app Gaia and how you can use it for GPS, saving waypoints, navigation, photo tagging, trail recording and more. Show and Tell: Bring the rock(s) that have the best “story” – and tell everyone how you found them and where!

  • Club board member Paul Ahnberg will talk to us about the impact of wildfires on our lives – from protecting your home to staying safe while out rockhounding – and what we can do today to help mitigate our risk. Paul will combine his knowledge gained from learning at both the WSU Green School (Master Gardener) and WSU Climate Steward programs. Show and Tell: Bring something you found, from a place that you know has since been impacted by floods or wildfires – or was impacted shortly before you arrived. Tell your story!

  • December’s date and time is coming soon. We will update this page as soon as we know more.

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