Oct 6th, 2018 Red Top West Side Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

Another great field trip to Red Top on Oct. 6th. We had 5 vehicles and 9 members. It snowed up there the day/night before, but otherwise conditions were very good with sunshine and beautiful views. Road conditions were excellent. We hit the snow level driving in at 4200 ft. Dig site is at 4500 ft, but snow depth was only about 1-3 inches. (Note that the road going in peaks at 4800 feet.)  Luckily we were able to sweep aside the snow and get good access to soft dirt in the dig holes. Soil in the dig holes was not wet, but as the snow was melting it was tough not getting a little muddy from around the hole, and extra care had to be taken when walking on the slushy slope. It was wise to have a hood or big hat as the snow melted off the trees in gobs and occasionally free falling to our heads and backs. All that said, I thought it was well worth the trip as we turned up a lot of agate and jasper material to keep tumblers busy for awhile this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip Report submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Leader.

Updated: May 21, 2019 — 11:12 am

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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