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!  Our big rock, gem and jewelry show is at the end of this month. We have so many opportunities for you to come and be a part of it – from helping our wonderful vendors load in their gear, to setting up tables, greeting guests, helping with kid’s activities, and so much more. All of our volunteers always go home with free rocks – and free shop hours! I’ll be spending those three days (Friday, June 26 – our set up day – through Sunday, June 28) at the Silent Auction table, working on raising money for our …

Meeting Announcements

  • Club president Noelle Barnes will present “Rockhounding on the Road – How to Find Rocks Wherever You Are” – tools you can use to find a rockhounding location when you’re on the road, and in places you haven’t been before. Show and Tell: bring a rock or fossil you found outside of Washington (if available) or something that’s just too good not to share.

  • Our own Mike Blanton will bring his expertise to this club meeting program – he will share the tools, tips and tricks he has developed to drill holes in stones and minerals so you can do more with the rocks you find. Show and Tell: bring a rock you’d like to make into something else.

  • Club Wagonmaster and rock shop creator Roger Danneman will present an overview of the new club shop – including equipment, scheduling, stewards, and what you can expect from this exciting new resource.  Show and Tell: bring a rock you want to polish or make into a cabochon (or something you’ve already polished or made)

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