Oct 6-8th, 2023, Crystal Mtn Field Trip Report

On the weekend of Oct. 6-8 2023 we combined camping and 2 days of rockhounding at Crystal Mountain north of Ellensburg. This area has a wide variety of agate, jasper, and crystal geode material. We were fortunate to have beautiful fall weather in the mid 70s to punctuate the gorgeous views looking out over First Creek, the Stuart range and the Teanaway valley to the west and the Kittitas valley to the south. Many trees were dressed in their glorious fall colors and our group campsite had a spectacular ledge view. We had 19 campers through the weekend and 10 people came up for the day on Sat. Multiple sites were explored by the campers, but we had one main dig site that was quite productive. I’m still trying to understand the geology of the area, but I think it’s part of the Teanaway formation. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Special thanks to Peggy/Paul for our grilled chicken on Friday and Scott/Laurie/Josh for the grilled burgers and hot dogs on Sat. We had excellent food from everyone and it was quite a memorable weekend.

Campers: Annie S and dog Tess, Scott & Laurie M., Peggy S. & Paul A., John C. & Teri G., Christina & Russel & Rose L., Josh & Eli & Levi D., Ananda C., Kari C., Phillip T., Breanna & Julia P., and me.

Coming up for the day on Sat.: Noelle B., Loren M., Robert and Jonathon M., Artem & Andrey & Maxim T., Ray & Mary M. (new members), and Trent B.

Submitted by Roger Danneman Field Trip Guide (roger.danneman@gmail.com)
425-757-3506 cell and texts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: October 19, 2023 — 9:21 am

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile 2024 is in our rearview mirror. It was a very successful year for our club. We moved our Cascade Gem Show to June at Kent Commons. It has been an excellent decision for our club. We had the largest attendance since resuming our shows in 2018, with approximately 3,200 visitors! The proceeds from our two club auctions in 2024 brought in around $1,800. These funds help to cover our club’s largest expense, the liability insurance policy. I expect the premium for 2025 will be near $3,000. Our booth at the Puyallup Gem Faire

Meeting Announcements

  • February 13th – Jim Cerenzie – Finding New (Old) Rockhounding Sites Our club member, Jim Cerenzie, is going to speak on how he finds long forgotten sites to hunt for rocks and crystals. He has a YouTube channel called the “Vug Meister” where he and his son go rockhounding to these places. If you watch YouTube please support him by subscribing to his channel. Show ‘n Tell: Your favorite rockhounding find. It can be a find from a field trip, your yard, the beach, or a riverbed.

  • March 13th – Glaciers by Paul Ahnberg What are the benefits of glaciers? Glaciers, slow-moving rivers of ice, have sculpted mountains and carved valleys throughout Earth’s history. They continue to flow and shape the landscape in many places today. But glaciers affect much more than the landscape. Show ‘n Tell: A white or clear mineral or crystal.

  • April 10th – Rock BINGO Kent schools on spring break. So all you members, junior members and their friends, your grandkids, guests it is time for our Rock Bingo night.  Everyone is guaranteed to be a winner. Rock Bingo is free tonight – bring 3 wrapped presents (see below). Maximum 3 game cards per player. Each player is to bring 3 wrapped presents. Rocks, minerals, fossils, cabachons, slabs, jewelry, or anything that you think would be a nice gift.  Guests do not need to bring any wrapped items.

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