Sept 9th, 2023, Frost Mountain Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

On Sat. Sept 9th we went to Frost Mtn south of Cle Elum for jasper/agate and crystal. It was a gorgeous day with clear skies and a nice breeze. This is the first time we’ve taken a group into this site and is probably one of our more difficult trips because of the long drive on gravel and the 1 mile hike with some elevation gain. Last year I was part of a small group that went in to check it out and I decided the material is so unique that I wanted to add it to our list of sites.

It was a fairly big group with 10 vehicles, 19 people, and 1 little dog. Phillip guided us in on this trip since I was unsure of the route. Once we parked and hiked up to the rocky outcrop, the group surface collected crystal pieces, the blue-green jasper, rocks with druzy, 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 2 1/2 hours, took in the views, chatted, and enjoyed a nice Sept. day in the mountains. My pictures show some of the material I collected. Loren explored further up and found more in the way of eroded rock piles/outcrops and I’m thinking to make another trip up there before the snow flies to get more of the agate chunks. It looks kind of junky on the outside, but cut pieces can reveal beautiful patterns inside and is generally nice and solid and takes a great polish.

Attendees: Scott M.1 & Scott M. 2, Erica D. & Chris N., Malka R., Loren M., Julie M. & Gina M., Phillip T., Kate T. and son Andre, new members Nikki P and partner and neighbor Zennetka, new member Alyssa W. and Bea, and new members Trisha and Dave, and of course me.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: September 19, 2023 — 9:55 pm

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.

  • Maureen will speak on the geology and the movement of the Washington coastline over millions of years. 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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