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

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile . . . . . . . I guess the biggest news since last May’s news bulletin is our Board voted to cancel our Gem Show in September. The Board has already reserved the dates for our show next year, September 17-19, 2021. By then we should all know the changes that will be required to put on a public event. A gem show is unique as a good portion of our vendors, visitors and volunteers fall into the high risk range for this virus. We will have to be fully cognizant of …

Meeting Announcements

  • This is going to be our first meeting since February!! I am so looking forward to seeing everyone. We have reserved our regular spot at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley, WA. It’s adjacent to Lake Wilderness Recreation and Beach Area. Setup is at 12 noon and lunch starts at 1 pm. It’s potluck so bring your favorite entree, side dish, rolls, desert or soda pop to share. There will an auction following lunch. Also bring your own silverware and plates. All Young Tumblers attending will get $10 in Rock Bucks to use at the auction. So add these Rock […]

  • Diamond Dan has generously given us permission to post or distribute Mini Miner’s Monthly, a publication for young rock hounds. Please go to the above tab “Young Tumblers” on our website and download your copy. It has a lot of good activities for our Young Tumblers. They will not only learned some interesting rock and mineral facts but also activities to keep them busy.

  • Please remember to renew your membership for 2020 if you have not done so. Even though we currently can not have club meetings we are making every effort to keep our club running smoothly. We are still providing you with our monthly club newsletter. Our field trips are continuing so check out our field trip link for May’s next adventure. On field trips we will require 6 ft distancing and no carpooling other than with your immediate family. Our “Young Tumblers” can continue to work on their badge of choice. All the badges you can earn is under the Young […]

Current News