8 Ball's In The Wind: Skookumchuck Dam Treasure Hunt

As the days of self-isolation for us all continue, no doubt some of you have begun imagining things to do, and places to go for a fun ride. Here’s an idea you may want to consider. How about riding down to the Skookumchuck Dam and do a little treasure hunting for the gems that can be found in the basaltic lava flows around the north end of the dam? What’s there you might ask? The minerals are found in small cavities in the olivine basalt flows on the north side of the valley at Skookumchuck Dam. Here’s a photo list of some of the minerals you can find.

heulandite

Since it is easier to give directions from a specific point, I will begin the description of the route at a popular place for riders in Spanaway, called Uncle Sam's Bar & Grill. If you are familiar with the greater Tenino area, you can start at other places, but I figure Uncle Sam's is a good starting place, and easy to find for most folks in the metro area.

It's only about a 45-50 minute ride. Depending on traffic and any stops you may make along the way. To start off, pull out of Uncle Sam's and head south to the Roy "Y" and bear off to the right towards Roy.

natrolite

chabazite

Continue on through Roy and McKenna to Yelm. Then turn left at the traffic light as Hwy 507 heads south to Rainier. Pass through Rainier, and cross the Deschutes River Bridge. About a half-mile after the bridge turn left onto Johnson Creek Rd SE. Follow this road for about six and a half miles before turning left onto Skookumchuck Rd SE. The dam is just under two miles ahead at this point. About one-quarter of a mile before the dam is a small fish hatchery, and just before the dam is a road that turns left and leads to a boat launch along the north side of the lake.

calcite

mordenite

quartz

thomsonite

It is in this general area that you will have to hunt for the basalt lava flows that make up the bedrock on the north side of the dam. Once you find it, start looking for small cavities or use a rock hammer to break open the olivine basalt.

As in any rockhounding collection trip, it is up to you to ensure that the property you want to be on is public land. So it pays to call ahead and verify, as well as find the hours of operation. The phone number for the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources is (360) 902-1450. The land you will be scouting for these minerals is managed by DNR north of the dam. I will post a map of the DNR lands north of the dam below.

Want to spend a day or even a weekend out looking for some cool rocks, or just ride up to some interesting new country to explore, here's an excuse (as if you really ever need an excuse to ride).

Whatever it is you enjoy doing outdoors, you can always make a cool ride out of it and enjoying the wonders of the state we live in while doing it only makes it better.

By following the DNR map linked HERE, you will be able to find many locations to look for everything from; amber, petrified wood, plant and marine shellfish fossils, agates, jaspers, zeolites, chalcedony, opal, geodes (thundereggs), and more. All within just an hour or two of the greater Seattle/Tacoma area.

I hope to catch you on the road sometime...