June 2018 Government Meadows (upper Greenwater) Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

We had a group of 13 vehicles and about 30 people from CMS and the Puyallup Valley Club for this trip on June 9th. Weather was a mix of clouds, light rain and sunbreaks.  Nice temperatures for digging.

Stop 1 – ~11 miles from Hwy410 on FR70 – Just a quick stop to look for agate nodules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop 2 – Quick stop to show the earth tone jasper site.  These have been tumbled through the first stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop 3 – End of FR70 toward Government Meadows but road branches and we took lower road to dig sites.  There are holes/pits that people have previously dug with opal pieces laying all around them.  You can start in any hole or can find another suitable spot and just dig a new pit.  Lots of common opal here, some with nice color variations.  Petrified wood is present, but considerably more difficult to find.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop 4 – We drove back down the mountain (about 2/3 of the way back to Hwy410) and turned left onto FR72 which we then drove up about a mile to a large rock slide.  Here we looked for agate and crystal and jasper material.  After about 20 minutes here, the heavy rain started, about 3:15-3:30.  Some material found here that day, still in the rough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need to start getting in the habit of taking pictures during the trip of what others have found.  Probably cooler than my stuff.  Thanks to Merriann Fu for her FB posts and pictures.  Hers are beautifully staged on the green leaves.  Others are welcome to also post on the FB Group page what they’ve found.  That FB page is reserved for CMS members.

Submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Trip Leader

Updated: June 15, 2018 — 9:40 pm

Presidents Message

  • We had another successful Rock & Gem Show under the leadership of Mark Hohn! As all of you have probably heard by now, Mark has resigned as Show Chairman so that he can spend more time traveling during the summer with his wife, Penny. I thank Mark for all his hard work these past two years. You have left us with huge shoes to fill. We are now on a search for a new Show Chairman or Assist. Show Chairman. If you would like to volunteer for either position please email from our website under the “Contact” page. This is …

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  • Our Topic: Joan of Jerry’s Rock Shop (Kent) will be speaking on the Curses of Gemstones. Show ‘n Tell: A rock or mineral you have purchased.

  • Our Holiday Pot Luck Dinner is Sunday, December 15th. The club provides turkey and ham and you fill in the rest. You can bring a main dish, salad, bread, dessert or drinks. Setup is at  11:30 and lunch at 12:30 pm. Following the meal we will have an election of officers and our annual auction. Please mark your calendars now and plan on attending. We have had a very good turn out the past few years so be sure to join us. Happy Holidays!

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