March 11th, 2023, Mt. Baker Area Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

We had a nice outing into the Mt. Baker area for our March Field Trip. The big mountain stayed under cover, but the surrounding hills and trees above 1200′ were coated with fresh snow and looked beautiful. Just a few raindrops now and then. 12 other club members joined me. We first met 9:30 AM at Ole One Lane Bridge on the west side of Baker to collect dunite, quartz, and gneiss on the middle fork of the Nooksack river. At 11:30 we left that area and went over to the east side where Swift Creek enters Baker Lake and collected agate, quartz, and gneiss. Everyone was prepared with waders and the stream was relatively easy to cross. Just 1-2 feet deep. Some nice Baker Blue agates were found among the group. Members that joined me were Kari C., Dave A., Tammy C., Dominique Z., Scott M., Scott M., Kamera M. (and dog Gracie), Brooke P., Nik B., Evan B., Loren M., and Annie S. (and dog Tess).

Next outing is Sat. April 15th for Biggs Jasper/Agate in Oregon and then Sun. April 16th at Saddle Mtn for petrified wood. I’ll be sending out the announcement by e-mail with the details.

Note: if you’re looking for nice river spots to go for rock when our warm spring weather finally arrives, check out the two places mentioned above plus there’s a place on the south fork of the Nooksack River just north of the town of Acme. Best before the spring runoff gets too high though.

Submitted by Roger Danneman Field Trip Guide (roger.danneman@gmail.com)
425-757-3506 cell and texts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: March 13, 2023 — 8:29 am

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch Table Lamps – Remember we are looking for new table lamps for our show ‘n tell tables. If you go to Goodwill, a similar store, or would like to donate, the lights must fold up easily for storage. Save the receipt and the club will reimburse you. Our June meeting is Rock Bingo! Rock Bingo is always a fun night for all members, young and old. The Kent kids are out of school, so they don’t have to worry about school the next day.  The club is looking for …

Meeting Announcements

  • Topic: Mount St. Helens, Paul Ahnberg will be giving the presentation. Paul has been taking a months-long class on Mount St. Helens. It has included not only in-class studies but also a few trips to see Mount St. Helens. Paul says, “One thing I quickly recognized is that there is a lot more to the Mount St Helens story beyond the geology and eruption aspects.” So mark your calendar now, as this should be a fascinating lecture. Show ‘n Tell: Bring a sample of volcanic rock from your collection. A few samples of volcanic rock are Obsidian, Rhyolite, Pumice, Basalt, and Andesite.

  • Topic: Our annual club picnic at Lake Wilderness. Our picnic is always a friendly event on the lawn among the trees. For lunch, it is a potluck picnic. So bring a dish to share. If you don’t cook, pick up something from the market. If you are unable to bring anything, that’s okay too. We would rather have you join us for lunch than not. We generally have around 25 to 35 members attend. Bring your plate and silverware. Setup is 11:30 am, and lunch is at noon. We usually wrap things up by 3 pm. The Arboretum has plenty of free parking. Following, we have a club auction. The auction is a great chance to pick up items at a fraction of their retail cost. You are welcome to donate items to the auction. All proceeds go to the club treasury to cover expenses. Our Young Tumblers can also spend their saved “Rock Bucks” at the auction just like cash for items they want. Afterward, Lake Wilderness is nearby for swimming, plus various play areas for the younger kids. Our annual picnics are always a great family event!

  • Topic: Pre-Gem Show Rally and then “I Made It,” “I Found It,” and “I Bought It.” This meeting is a fun new activity on our calendar. “I Made It,” “I Found It,” and “I Bought It.” You may bring up to 3 items for each category. Items must have been made, found, or bought within the last year. Winners of each category receive a prize. Members will vote for their favorites in each category, and then only 1 prize per adult and 1 prize per Young Tumbler for each category will be awarded. Plan on bringing items, as this should be a fun evening as we get to mingle with each other and talk rocks! Show ‘n Tell: They are your above entries.

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