March 19th 2022 Field Trip to Baker Lake / Swift Creek (agate, jasper, jade)

Past Field Trips

On March 19th, 2022, we will be going to the Baker Lake area for agate, jasper, and jade.  This area also has a lot of metamorphic rock that has interesting patterns and swirls which takes a nice polish.
Meet 9:45 AM at the Sedro Woolley Rite Aid Parking Lot.
Directions: From I-5, go past Mt. Vernon and take exit 232 Cook Rd to Sedro Woolley.  Go through about 3 roundabouts.  The Rite Aid is on the right side, opposite from the Forest Service Office and the Arco Station.  The address is 851 Moore Street.  Note that this is a new meeting spot, chosen because they have a public restroom and also when we leave, we don’t have to go across busy traffic.
The group will leave promptly at 10 am.

From Renton it is approximately a 1.5 hour drive (80 miles) to the meeting place.  Then another 35 miles to the collection site..

Swift Creek flows into the Baker Lake reservoir and you will need waders (or hip boots) to cross the stream and get to the gravel beds. Usually in March there is still snow along the roadway and on the river bank.  So access may require climbing over snow berm and walking through some deep snow and down snow covered embankment.  Tools – shovel (optional), bucket, and garden pick. Collecting is in the stream bed as well as the gravel beds further downstream, so a pair of PVC gloves would be handy (the water can be pretty cold). The water is usually 1-2 feet deep (or more) in places, depending on snow melt runoff.   Roads are good pavement, with some hard pack snow and ice in places this time of year.

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

Updated: March 20, 2022 — 7:29 pm

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch Table Lamps – Remember we are looking for new table lamps for our show ‘n tell tables. If you go to Goodwill, a similar store, or would like to donate, the lights must fold up easily for storage. Save the receipt and the club will reimburse you. Our June meeting is Rock Bingo! Rock Bingo is always a fun night for all members, young and old. The Kent kids are out of school, so they don’t have to worry about school the next day.  The club is looking for …

Meeting Announcements

  • Topic: Mount St. Helens, Paul Ahnberg will be giving the presentation. Paul has been taking a months-long class on Mount St. Helens. It has included not only in-class studies but also a few trips to see Mount St. Helens. Paul says, “One thing I quickly recognized is that there is a lot more to the Mount St Helens story beyond the geology and eruption aspects.” So mark your calendar now, as this should be a fascinating lecture. Show ‘n Tell: Bring a sample of volcanic rock from your collection. A few samples of volcanic rock are Obsidian, Rhyolite, Pumice, Basalt, and Andesite.

  • Topic: Our annual club picnic at Lake Wilderness. Our picnic is always a friendly event on the lawn among the trees. For lunch, it is a potluck picnic. So bring a dish to share. If you don’t cook, pick up something from the market. If you are unable to bring anything, that’s okay too. We would rather have you join us for lunch than not. We generally have around 25 to 35 members attend. Bring your plate and silverware. Setup is 11:30 am, and lunch is at noon. We usually wrap things up by 3 pm. The Arboretum has plenty of free parking. Following, we have a club auction. The auction is a great chance to pick up items at a fraction of their retail cost. You are welcome to donate items to the auction. All proceeds go to the club treasury to cover expenses. Our Young Tumblers can also spend their saved “Rock Bucks” at the auction just like cash for items they want. Afterward, Lake Wilderness is nearby for swimming, plus various play areas for the younger kids. Our annual picnics are always a great family event!

  • Topic: Pre-Gem Show Rally and then “I Made It,” “I Found It,” and “I Bought It.” This meeting is a fun new activity on our calendar. “I Made It,” “I Found It,” and “I Bought It.” You may bring up to 3 items for each category. Items must have been made, found, or bought within the last year. Winners of each category receive a prize. Members will vote for their favorites in each category, and then only 1 prize per adult and 1 prize per Young Tumbler for each category will be awarded. Plan on bringing items, as this should be a fun evening as we get to mingle with each other and talk rocks! Show ‘n Tell: They are your above entries.

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