Oct 18th 2025 Swift Creek / Baker Lake Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

On Sat October 18th we went to Swift Creek / Baker Lake.

Due to early season snowfall in the mountains I had to make some decisions regarding our last scheduled field trips. We ended up going to Swift Creek on the east side of Mt. Baker for our Oct. 18th trip and cancelled the trips to Crystal Mtn. and First Creek. Other things that factored into the decisions were the Labor Mtn fire closure taking away our Red Top site and the efforts to finish the shop and get the equipment moved from Diana’s.

Despite forecasted rain we had 7 of us on this trip for Baker Blue Agates, jaspers, and gneiss. The reservoir was low and the gravel beds were accessible. Beautiful fall colors and Sockeye Salmon were running up the creek apparently assisted by transport around the dam into Baker Lake. It was fun to see them swimming up the low stream levels. The weather stayed nice until after we left around 3:00 at which time the rain moved in.

Joining me on this trip were Noelle B., Scott & Lauri M with sister Dani, Chris V. and new member Venessa L.
These pictures are from what I collected, but there were some nice agates and rocks collected among the group. There is also some small pyrite inclusions 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.

Submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: November 9, 2025 — 7:00 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

  • 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.

  • This meeting will cover the “Geologic History of Washington State.” The meeting will be an interactive program designed to tell the story of the complex geologic history of our state. It works for kids as well as adults, with families working together to assemble the state.   Show ‘n Tell: Favorite rock or mineral from Washington.

  • Glen Ripper is a leading authority on Obsidian. He is a walking encyclopedia which should make this an interesting and educational meeting. Show ‘n Tell: Obsidian – let’s see your colors.

  •   We start the day off with a potluck holiday meal. The club provides roasted turkey and ham. Members fill in with their favorite holiday potluck dish. We follow our meal with the election of officers for the coming year. Our final activity is our club auction. It is a great time to pick up great bargains on rough rocks, polished rocks, slabs, fossils, opal, etc. Our Young Tumblers can use their Rock Bucks to purchase auction items. 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.

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