June 13th 2026 Red Top Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

On Sat. June 13th we went to Red Top Mtn. north of Cle Elum for jasper, agate, agate nodules, and crystal geodes. We didn’t rockhound there last year because of the fire closure, so I made sure we got there early this year. A big response prompted me to split the group in two due to the number of vehicles being too much for the backside road parking. Loren took half the group up to the main parking area and hiked from there to the meadow. I took the other half to the lower dig site first and then Phillip guided them up to the meadow to make a day of it. I’m still not back to hiking strength. Our lower dig site is still producing some nice colorful jasper/agate. It was a gorgeous weather day with clear skies, temps no higher than 67 degrees, and a nice cool breeze keeping us comfortable.
We had 24 people and 1 dog among 15 vehicles. Joining me on this trip were Loren M., Robert M. with kids Evalyn & Jonathan, Phillip T., Jeanie & Curtis L., Aubrey S., David B. & Alexis W., Venessa L. and her dog Lily, Gregg H., Kelly & Tim B., Amy F., Sammie & Scott, Kelly G., Scott A. +1, Rob M. +1, and guest Dietra.

Special thanks to Loren for clearing some limbs and trees a few weeks before and making a trip over the day before to ensure no new blowdowns were obstructing the backside road.

Submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: July 21, 2026 — 7:47 pm

Presidents Message

  • Digging It!  Our big rock, gem and jewelry show is at the end of this month. We have so many opportunities for you to come and be a part of it – from helping our wonderful vendors load in their gear, to setting up tables, greeting guests, helping with kid’s activities, and so much more. All of our volunteers always go home with free rocks – and free shop hours! I’ll be spending those three days (Friday, June 26 – our set up day – through Sunday, June 28) at the Silent Auction table, working on raising money for our …

Meeting Announcements

  • Club president Noelle Barnes will present “Rockhounding on the Road – How to Find Rocks Wherever You Are” – tools you can use to find a rockhounding location when you’re on the road, and in places you haven’t been before. Show and Tell: bring a rock or fossil you found outside of Washington (if available) or something that’s just too good not to share.

  • Our own Mike Blanton will bring his expertise to this club meeting program – he will share the tools, tips and tricks he has developed to drill holes in stones and minerals so you can do more with the rocks you find. Show and Tell: bring a rock you’d like to make into something else.

  • Club Wagonmaster and rock shop creator Roger Danneman will present an overview of the new club shop – including equipment, scheduling, stewards, and what you can expect from this exciting new resource.  Show and Tell: bring a rock you want to polish or make into a cabochon (or something you’ve already polished or made)

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