Oct 4-6th, 2024 Red Top Mtn Camp & Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

On the weekend of Oct. 4-6th 2024 we combined camping and rockhounding at Red Top Mountain north of Cle Elum. Our original site at Crystal Mtn was closed along with the First Creek area due to the Swauk Creek Fire, so this was Plan B. The Teanaway Community Forest has a nice campground next to the Teanaway River with ample parking, vault toilets, and level tent sites which are very conducive to group camping.
Friday after setting up camp a light rain moved in. Not a washout rain, but somewhat cool and damp. Fortunately, John brought two canopies that we could cook and eat under. Dinner was grilled chicken (griddle), Greek salad, garlic mashed potatoes, cheese bread, fruit salad, warm blackberry cobbler, and cookies/bars.
On Sat. morning after Legendary Donuts, muffins, and perked coffee, we left camp about 9:45 AM and headed up the back way to Red Top. We went to two sites. At site #1 we dug for about 3 hours. Nice seam agate in blues, greens, reds, and yellow colors. For site #2 we hiked up Indian Creek Trail 1/2 mile to the meadow which wasn’t nearly as productive for us as site 1. The ground was much more difficult to dig in, baked from the summer and fall heat/sun. Beautiful view of Mt. Rainier though and sunny and warm with temps in the low 60s. We didn’t come down until about 5:30. Dinner was grilled (griddle) hamburgers, hot dogs, all the fixings, San Francisco beans, corn pudding, fruit salad, cookies, and warm blackberry cobbler.

Special thanks to everyone for the great food. It was quite a memorable weekend. We all agreed that the nights were cold but the campground was great.

Campers: Annie S and dog Tess, Scott & Laurie M., Peggy S., John C. & Teri G., Josh & Eli D., Jeanie L., Michelle M., and me.

Coming up for the day on Sat.: Noelle B. & David, James & Travis, Chris & Raquel, Jarrod D., Kat & Mike all joined us at the campground, and Loren M. met us up at the meadow.

Our next scheduled field trip outing is to Crystal Mtn north of Ellensburg on Oct. 19th.
Submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: October 14, 2024 — 9:54 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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