Today I decided to head back down to the Toutle area and dig some more in the slide mentioned in the Field Trip Report “Gravel Pit Blues!!”. I had a theory that there would be more agate in the dirt at the edge of the slide.
I first stopped at a gravel pit near Salmon Creek to check out a rumor that there was petrified wood located in the pit. I did find some petrified wood, but it was not very good quality. I also saw a small herd of elk browsing in the clear cut.
These guys might be able to lead me to some rocks.
My next stop was the parking area for the slide site. I got my gear ready and headed up the road. It seemed that today was my day to see wildlife. There were two deer feeding in the clear cut on my way in.
Curious onlookers?
I finally parked my bike and started the climb to the slide.
The old gravel pit that started my trips to this area.
I decided to hike to the slide from a different direction today so I could check out some more of the slope. It was a pretty day and a nice hike. The slide is in the middle before the large cliff. It’s the first dirt you can see.
It looks like a long way to the slide from here.
I finally arrived at the slide and started digging. It didn’t take me long to start finding agate. There was a lot of agate here. I ended up carrying 83 pounds out and leaving another 20 pounds there.
This is a shot of the biggest piece.
Large pieces.
The shifting ground broke all this agate into smaller pieces. The largest I found was 10 pounds, but I did find quite a few softball sized pieces that went into my pack. I was also able to find a few more opal encased agate nodules.
Roy had hiked in after me and we hollered back and forth across the gulley. It was nice yelling with him, and talking after we both made it back to the trucks.
I quit digging at 1:00pm and made it back to the truck at 2:20pm. I don’t think I would have hauled all the agate out, if I had realized it was going to be so heavy.
I did find one really nice softball sized agate with black dendrites in it. That just added icing to the trip.
Dendrites are one of my favorite inclusions.
Thanks for joining me.
chasfire
11 Comments
Richard:
That ‘cake’ certainly has nice ‘icing’! I know not about the other seventy pounds, but the dentritic piece was well worth the effort to haul it out. I am sure we will be seeing some very nice cabaochons made from this one.
One small piece Kathy found last week down the hill has red moss. It only just big enough to make one cab.
Woody
That’s a super-nice piece of dendretic agate. Congratulations! I wonder what color that piece will be when you slab it. It looks like amber in the picture. It doesn’t look like you would want anybody digging above you at this site. One rock jarred loose could be bad news. I guess you are used to that situation by now. Thanks for the report.
Richard
Well once again I see that you used your ole shovel for a divining rod and it pointed the way to another haul of nice agates. I thought about your rock hunt several times today as I was laboring with pruning. I would have much rather been with you, believe me.
Jerry
Thanks guys for the comments. It was a great day.
chasfire
Richard,
When Clay and I went with you and found the 105 pounder last Saturday, I’ve cut just about every piece I hauled out, have not looked at Clay’s stuff yet, it’s still in his backpack. One piece in particular, about softball size has small 1/8″ diameter cyan blue orbs in it. Not very many, but really interesting to see within the grayish chalcedony. This could mean there is an occasional “Blue” pice like the history report you read about, just have to find the right spot!
Dean
Richard:
I cleaned up the slide material I collected today,made a couple of preforms, and knapped one. This material is harder than opal as I know it, and softer than agate. With the contrasting colour bands it is going to make some pretty points.
Woody
Woody:
Sounds good.
chasfire
you guys have all the fun
Gene: We do have fun with out hobby.
chasfire
I’ve looked all over the area and can’t seem to locate the 1290 rd. is it up the north or south fork of the toutle river? thanks
Nate
Nate:
I apologize. The 1290 road doesn’t actually meet Hwy 504. I will send some better directions to your email address.
Sorry for the mix up.
Good rockhunting.
chasfire