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

  • Digging It!  September is here, and it looks like a wonderful month so far for getting together and getting out in the field. First, thank you to everyone who helped make our August picnic and club auction such a success. The delicious food, generous donations, volunteer help and spirited bidding made it a great afternoon, and the auction raised $750 for the club. We return to our regular meeting schedule on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Kent. Our program is all about YOU: Show, Tell & Transform, where you get to briefly present …

Meeting Announcements

  • This program is all about YOU. Bring a rock, mineral, fossil, or other field find that you would like to turn into something. It might become a cabochon, carving, display specimen, jewelry piece, slab, polished piece, or something entirely different. Bring your item and share: Where and how you found or acquired it What interests you about the material What you’re considering making from it Any questions or challenges you would like help thinking through Then we’ll open the conversation to our knowledgeable and curious club members. Together, we can discuss the material, possible designs, cutting or finishing approaches, and other ideas that might help you take the piece from field find to finished project. You do not need to have a complete plan or any special expertise. That’s part of the fun. Bring the piece itself if possible, along with any sketches, inspiration photos, or examples that might help explain your idea.

  • Noelle Barnes will present Using Gaia for Rockhounding, an overview of the features and tricks associated with the app Gaia and how you can use it for GPS, saving waypoints, navigation, photo tagging, trail recording and more. Show and Tell: Bring the rock(s) that have the best “story” – and tell everyone how you found them and where!

  • Club board member Paul Ahnberg will talk to us about the impact of wildfires on our lives – from protecting your home to staying safe while out rockhounding – and what we can do today to help mitigate our risk. Paul will combine his knowledge gained from learning at both the WSU Green School (Master Gardener) and WSU Climate Steward programs. Show and Tell: Bring something you found, from a place that you know has since been impacted by floods or wildfires – or was impacted shortly before you arrived. Tell your story!

  • December’s date and time is coming soon. We will update this page as soon as we know more.

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