June 7th, 2025 Field Trip to Little Naches (thunder eggs, lily pad jasper, leaf fossils)

On June 7th, 2025, 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. Meeting site will be on the road in front of Little Naches campground (Hwy 410 and FR19)

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.
Details will be e-mailed.

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

Updated: June 9, 2025 — 6:52 pm

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile Our annual club picnic went off great. The grass and Arboretum area was not wet or muddy, plus it didn’t rain while we were there. We had the usual club members attend, plus a few new faces. I forgot to count how many people attended, but I estimate around 40. Thank you, Angie and Brian, for shopping for the food and setting everything up. Thumbler’s Tumblers donated a tumbler for our picnic auction and another one for our holiday auction in December. The new double-barreled 15# tumbler sold for $120, approximately one-third the

Meeting Announcements

  • We are going to show a video of the most unusual and amazing things found in Amber. It isn’t just insects. We are also going to have a recap of how our Gem Show did last month. Show ‘n Tell: An item that has something trapped inside or a picture rock, thunder egg, or geode that looks like it has an insect, animal, or face inside.

  • Maureen will speak on the geology and the movement of the Washington coastline over millions of years. Show ‘n Tell: Favorite rock or mineral from Washington

  • Glen Ripper is a leading authority on Obsidian. He is a walking encyclopedia which should make this an interesting and educational meeting. Show ‘n Tell: Obsidian – let’s see your colors.

  •   We start the day off with a potluck holiday meal. The club provides roasted turkey and ham. Members fill in with their favorite holiday potluck dish. We follow our meal with the election of officers for the coming year. Our final activity is our club auction. It is a great time to pick up great bargains on rough rocks, polished rocks, slabs, fossils, opal, etc. Our Young Tumblers can use their Rock Bucks to purchase auction items. This meeting is also our semi-annual food drive for the Kent Food Bank. Please remember to bring something. The Food Bank has informed us that they need feminine hygiene products and grape or strawberry jelly. People donate loads of peanut butter but never jelly. They also receive very few donations of feminine hygiene products.

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