Oct 14th 2023 Field Trip to Red Top (agate, jasper, and crystal)

Past Field Trips

On Oct. 14th, 2023, we’ll be going to Red Top for agate, jasper, and crystal geodes.

There are two options from the same road where we park:
1). Our dig site for agate/jasper close to the road but up steep embankment, or
2). A 4/10 mile hike up Indian Creek Trail to the meadow just below the agate beds loop.

Option 1 has some fine agate, jasper, and occasional crystal geode fragments and is about 50 yards up a steep slope.
Option 2 has more whole and half geodes in the diggings, but is a 4/10 mile hike, the first 100 yards being fairly steep, then flattening out.

Meet 9:30 AM at the Cle Elum Safeway around the gas pumps (I-90 Exit 84, 804 W 1st St, Cle Elum, WA 98922).  Group leaves promptly at 9:45. Bring dig tools.  The meeting spot is about 1 1/2 hour drive from Renton/Kent.  There are DOT restrooms at Snoqualmie Pass and I also like to use the Cle Elum Safeway for coffee, restrooms, gas. 

Contact me for updates if planning to attend.

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

Updated: October 19, 2023 — 8:46 am

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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