Sept 14th, 2024 Frost Mtn Field Trip Report

Field trip reports
On Sat. Sept 14th we went to Frost Mtn south of Cle Elum for jasper/agate/chert and crystal.  It turned out to be a really nice day with partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid-60s.  With close to 20 miles on gravel it takes a good hour to get here from Cle Elum and is one of our more difficult trips with a near mile hike and some elevation gain.  A group of bow hunters were camped out at the parking area so I might make this trip another week later next year.
We had a fairly big group with 12 vehicles and 19 people.  The group surface collected and chiseled out the blue-green jasper/agate/chert and the irregular seamed agate known as Tahoma Agate.  Some people covered a wide area while I stayed mainly around the rocky outcrop.  We collected for about 3 hours, took in the views, chatted, and enjoyed a nice Sept. day in the mountains.  Big thanks to Julie for taking pictures as I forgot my camera and my phone in the car.  Also to Loren for helping everyone find good material.  The rock pics show some of the material I collected after I cleaned them up.  Some of the rocks look a bit junky on the outside, but cut pieces can reveal beautiful patterns inside and is generally nice and solid and takes a great polish.
Attendees: Noelle B., Loren M., Julie M. & Gina M., Josh & Eli D., Chris W. & Raquel, James & Travis, Michelle M., Pete & Kelly A., Jarrod D., new member Dan G., guests Ryan M. and daughter, guest Judy, and of course me.
Our next scheduled field trip outing is to Crystal Mtn north of Ellensburg on Oct. 5th.  This is planned to be a campout, but the Swauk Creek fire has caused a closure of that area.  Communications will be sent out via e-mail regarding updates and changes.
Submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: September 19, 2024 — 8:46 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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