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.
