March 24th, 2024 Swift Creek / Baker Lake Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

Field Trip Report for March 24th at Swift Creek / Baker Lake – This trip got moved from Sat. the 23rd to Sunday the 24th due to heavy rain predicted in the Mt. Baker area for that Sat.. On Sunday the skies cleared and we had a beautiful day for hunting agates and jaspers at Swift Creek. The river channels were too deep and the current too strong to get down to the Baker Lake gravel beds, but we had a nice huge sandbar for a collecting area downstream from the bridge. The stream where we crossed was about 18″ deep.

10 members/guests joined me for this trip – Jeanie L. and friend Olivia, Heather M., James R., and friend Marquis, Michele M., Marion R., Josh D. and sons Eli and Levi. These pictures are from what I collected, but there were some nicer agates and rocks with crystal inclusions collected among the group. There is also some small pyrite crystallizations to be found here. Baker Blue Agates don’t come easy and when you find one it’s a great feeling. The extra red and green colors attached give them a unique look.
After we were done at Swift Creek, Michelle and I went over to Marblemount and found some Listwanite at a site along the Cascade River. Some of these rocks with a rusty-orange skin yield beautiful green patterns on the inside. It helps to break off an end to check the inside color.

Next outing is Sat. April 20th for Biggs Jasper/Agate in Oregon and then Sun. April 21st at Saddle Mtn for petrified wood. Another Saddle Mtn trip is scheduled for Sunday April 28th to be led by Loren Merriman. Details for all 3 trips will be sent out via e-mail.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: March 26, 2024 — 7:36 am

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile From the Top of the Rock Pile Our Gem Show is sold out. Everything is moving along with the show. We will be asking for volunteers at the June meeting plus via email. Please plan on helping out at our show. It takes around 50 people to cover all 3 days. I have not been out to see how the building of our indoor shop is coming along at Roger’s home, but I hear from members that it is really coming along. With some good weather, progress should really move along fast. If …

Meeting Announcements

  • We will form teams to identify a tray of 8 rocks. Bring your hardness kit, rock ID books, cell phones, or anything else to help your team identify the stones. Last call for volunteers to help with our Gem Show. Show ‘n Tell: Bring an item from the collection you want to be identified.   This meeting is also our semi-annual food drive for the Kent Food Bank. Please remember to bring something. The Food Bank has informed us that they need feminine hygiene products and grape or strawberry jelly. People donate loads of peanut butter but never jelly. They also receive very few donations of feminine hygiene products.

  • We are going to show a video of the most unusual and amazing things found in Amber. It isn’t just insects. We are also going to have a recap of how our Gem Show did last month. Show ‘n Tell: An item that has something trapped inside or a picture rock, thunder egg, or geode that looks like it has an insect, animal, or face inside.

  • Potluck on the Park. Bring your favorite potluck dish, rolls, drinks, dessert, etc. Enjoy a peaceful day in the park, visiting with friends and getting in some “rock talk.”     Following our lunch, we will hold a club auction. It’s a great time to pick up some great bargains. Our Young Tumblers can also spend their “rock bucks” on something they want.  

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