CMS Oct 3rd 2020 field trip to Red Top

The Hwy 410 closure is said to be in effect for weeks, so I’m changing the Little Naches trip to Oct. 24th.

However, the Oct. 3rd weekend weather is forecasted to be very nice, so I still want to do a trip then.  I’ve decided to lead a trip back to Red Top.

There are two options from the same road where we park:
1). Our dig site for agate/jasper close to the road, or
2). A 4/10 mile hike up Indian Creek Trail to the meadow just below the agate beds loop.

Option 1 has some fine agate, jasper, and occasional crystal geode fragments and is about 50 yards up a steep slope.
Option 2 has more whole and half geodes in the diggings, but is a 4/10 mile hike, the first 50 yards being fairly steep, then flattening out.

Meet 9:45 AM at the Mineral Springs Store (27510 US-97).  Group leaves promptly at 10:00.  Bring dig and hard rock tools.  The meeting spot is about 1 ¾ hour drive from Renton/Kent.  There are DOT restrooms at Snoqualmie Pass and I also like to use the Cle Elum Safeway for coffee, restrooms, gas.  Mineral Springs Store does have a rest room for customers.  Usually open by 9:30, but they seem a little lax on timing.

Contact me for updates if planning to attend.

Roger Danneman (roger.danneman@gmail.com  hm # 425-228-8781 or cell  # 425-757-3506).

Updated: October 9, 2020 — 9:39 pm

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile Our annual club picnic went off great. The grass and Arboretum area was not wet or muddy, plus it didn’t rain while we were there. We had the usual club members attend, plus a few new faces. I forgot to count how many people attended, but I estimate around 40. Thank you, Angie and Brian, for shopping for the food and setting everything up. Thumbler’s Tumblers donated a tumbler for our picnic auction and another one for our holiday auction in December. The new double-barreled 15# tumbler sold for $120, approximately one-third the

Meeting Announcements

  • Many of our members may recognize Tom as a vendor from our gem show and many other shows. His booth is “A Point in Time.” His presentation will focus on regional archaeology and how it relates to geology, paleontology, astronomy, and more. He promises to be a “traveling museum of prehistoric artifacts,” many of which can be passed around! He is always so interesting to stand at his show booth and listen to him talk. This meeting will be fascinating and hands-on. Show and Tell: A fossil of any type.

  • Our wagonmaster, Roger, will go over the field trips he has planned for this year, including samples of what you can find at each location.   Show and Tell: Your Best Rock Find Of Last Year.

  • We’re still developing the 2026 calendar of events, but we know one thing for sure – our March general meeting will happen on the 12th at 7pm. We hope to see you there! Show and Tell: also coming soon!

  • Come one, come all and play ROCK BINGO! With schools out for many local school districts, we invite members, guests, and especially families and kids to come and enjoy one of our most fun nights of the year. Everyone is guaranteed to win at this FREE event! All you have to do is bring three wrapped presents – presents can be rocks, gems, minerals, crystals, fossils, cabochons, slabs, jewelry, tumbled stones – anything you think might be a nice gift for a rock enthusiast. 

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