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
