I called Garry, talked to Chuck and we finally set up a trip to our Mining Claim. ?This is the latest we have ever made a trip, and I was anxious to get up there.
Mount Ranier on a Clear day.
Garry wasn’t able to make it, but Chuck and I headed out at 6:00am for the two hour drive to the parking spot.
Chuck is unconcerned about the hike.
After a short hike to the jump off point Chuck and I headed up the cliff trail. ?Chuck became a believer in the steepness of the trail after only a short time. ?He quickly found out what it was like to dig for agate on a 45 degree slope.
Digging for agate while trying not to fall off the mountain.
Shortly after this shot we arrived at the spot I wanted to work.
I had previously found some nice material here.
We spent the rest of the day pulling out Tahoma agate. ?When the heat finally started to tell us it was time to go, we each had about 30 pounds of material.
30 pounds of mostly good material.
The hike out was uneventful though extremely hot and tiring. ?We started out at 2:15pm and made it out to the truck at 3:45pm. ?From there it was a relaxing drive home.
Thanks for joining us.
chasfire
That agate is awesome…… are there any other areas that produce the same type of agate? or do you think it is specifically found in only one area? Im not looking to go look, Im just curious about the geology of it.
Gene: As far as I know Tahoma Agate is only found in this one area. It is formed in seams in basalt. The silica for the agate comes from rhyolite intrusions in the same area.
chasfire