Nov 12th, 2023 First Creek Field Trip Report

On Sunday Nov. 12th a small group of us went over to First Creek for our last field trip of the year. Originally scheduled for Sat. the 11th, I moved it to Sunday because of stormy weather forecasted for Sat. The day (Sun.) started out cool and slightly overcast, but it was actually quite pleasant for hiking and digging and more importantly we didn’t get rained on. 5 of us worked both sides of the 2-mile ravine and 2 more prospected the high ridgeline closer to the highway. The hills there are steep, and it was quite a workout. About 3:00 I heated up a pot of hot water and we enjoyed some hot cocoa, mocha, and coffee before heading back with our seam agate pieces, nodules, and crystal plates.
We’re definitely on the cusp of winter. Redtop was covered with a blanket of snow and seemingly no longer accessible.
With me on this trip was Julie G., Gina M., Pete W. and his son Alex, Loren M., and Nik B.
Remember our holiday party is on Dec. 3rd at the Legion Hall. An event filled with lots of good food and an auction of club material. A good place to pick up a few Christmas presents.
I usually have the new schedule ready by mid-January and our first trip of the year will likely be the 2nd or 3rd Sat. in March to areas around Mt. Baker. Until then, stay warm, stay dry, and stay active.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: November 29, 2023 — 2:49 pm

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile 2024 is in our rearview mirror. It was a very successful year for our club. We moved our Cascade Gem Show to June at Kent Commons. It has been an excellent decision for our club. We had the largest attendance since resuming our shows in 2018, with approximately 3,200 visitors! The proceeds from our two club auctions in 2024 brought in around $1,800. These funds help to cover our club’s largest expense, the liability insurance policy. I expect the premium for 2025 will be near $3,000. Our booth at the Puyallup Gem Faire

Meeting Announcements

  • February 13th – Jim Cerenzie – Finding New (Old) Rockhounding Sites Our club member, Jim Cerenzie, is going to speak on how he finds long forgotten sites to hunt for rocks and crystals. He has a YouTube channel called the “Vug Meister” where he and his son go rockhounding to these places. If you watch YouTube please support him by subscribing to his channel. Show ‘n Tell: Your favorite rockhounding find. It can be a find from a field trip, your yard, the beach, or a riverbed.

  • March 13th – Glaciers by Paul Ahnberg What are the benefits of glaciers? Glaciers, slow-moving rivers of ice, have sculpted mountains and carved valleys throughout Earth’s history. They continue to flow and shape the landscape in many places today. But glaciers affect much more than the landscape. Show ‘n Tell: A white or clear mineral or crystal.

  • April 10th – Rock BINGO Kent schools on spring break. So all you members, junior members and their friends, your grandkids, guests it is time for our Rock Bingo night.  Everyone is guaranteed to be a winner. Rock Bingo is free tonight – bring 3 wrapped presents (see below). Maximum 3 game cards per player. Each player is to bring 3 wrapped presents. Rocks, minerals, fossils, cabachons, slabs, jewelry, or anything that you think would be a nice gift.  Guests do not need to bring any wrapped items.

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