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!  September is here, and it looks like a wonderful month so far for getting together and getting out in the field. First, thank you to everyone who helped make our August picnic and club auction such a success. The delicious food, generous donations, volunteer help and spirited bidding made it a great afternoon, and the auction raised $750 for the club. We return to our regular meeting schedule on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Kent. Our program is all about YOU: Show, Tell & Transform, where you get to briefly present …

Meeting Announcements

  • This program is all about YOU. Bring a rock, mineral, fossil, or other field find that you would like to turn into something. It might become a cabochon, carving, display specimen, jewelry piece, slab, polished piece, or something entirely different. Bring your item and share: Where and how you found or acquired it What interests you about the material What you’re considering making from it Any questions or challenges you would like help thinking through Then we’ll open the conversation to our knowledgeable and curious club members. Together, we can discuss the material, possible designs, cutting or finishing approaches, and other ideas that might help you take the piece from field find to finished project. You do not need to have a complete plan or any special expertise. That’s part of the fun. Bring the piece itself if possible, along with any sketches, inspiration photos, or examples that might help explain your idea.

  • Noelle Barnes will present Using Gaia for Rockhounding, an overview of the features and tricks associated with the app Gaia and how you can use it for GPS, saving waypoints, navigation, photo tagging, trail recording and more. Show and Tell: Bring the rock(s) that have the best “story” – and tell everyone how you found them and where!

  • Club board member Paul Ahnberg will talk to us about the impact of wildfires on our lives – from protecting your home to staying safe while out rockhounding – and what we can do today to help mitigate our risk. Paul will combine his knowledge gained from learning at both the WSU Green School (Master Gardener) and WSU Climate Steward programs. Show and Tell: Bring something you found, from a place that you know has since been impacted by floods or wildfires – or was impacted shortly before you arrived. Tell your story!

  • December’s date and time is coming soon. We will update this page as soon as we know more.

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