The next DMC (Dixie Mineral Council) field trip is Saturday, March 23rd, 2019, to Ross Creek in Gruetli-Laager, TN.
This trip is sponsored by the DMC Program of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS).
IMPORTANT: DMC field trips are open only to members of clubs within the SFMS that have provided their members with field trip liability insurance. SFMS club members are bound by the AFMS (American Federation of Mineralogical Societies) code of ethics (click here to read them), but the general public is not, and could jeopardize access to a collecting location. So unless the property owner has invited non-SFMS attendees, the general public is not allowed on DMC field trips.
TRIP: Day trip to a Pennsylvanian/Mississippian scale tree and tree fern fossil site. Site is easily
accessible by auto and is not strenuous. Site is a shallow creek that is wet year round. This time of year snakes and poison ivy are probably not a problem.
COLLECTING: Site collecting will include various genus and species of Pennsylvanian and
Mississippian Carboniferous plants.
BRING: Bring a bucket and digging trowel, a geology hammer, magnifying lens, packing material to protect finds, wet weather gear (especially boots), gloves, and a change of shoes and pants as you will get wet. It will be cold this time of year and you will be on top of a mountain. Bring warm dry clothes to change into. Check the forecast weather for Monteagle, TN. Bring your current (SFMS member) club membership card.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Parking will be ample and on a dirt road. Depending on the weather it may be muddy.
CHILDREN (Yes): No age limit but must be able to walk on uneven surfaces. Adults are expected to supervise your children.
PETS (No): Pets are not allowed.
FACILITIES: There are no adjacent facilities for this site. This is a remote site and very primitive.
There are no facilities in the area, so bring water and food and first aid/meds if needed. Cell phone reception is unreliable at best.
DIRECTIONS AND WHERE TO MEET: We will meet at the Hardee’s parking lot on top of Monteagle Mountain, exit 138 on 1-24. Meeting time is 9:00 am CST. Everyone will register at meeting place. A brief safety/orientation meeting will be held before departing. Samples of collecting material will be available. Departure at 9:20 am CST. If you feel you will be late call ahead to Charlie Jones, cell 423-653-4479, or before trip date 423-842-6441, cell service at site is very limited. 62 Miles from Huntsville AL via Winchester TN, Hwy 64 to I-24 exit 127, turn right.
GPS 35.2387813, -85.8501965 or 35o14’ 19.33”, 85o 50’ 57.79”
CONTACT: Charlie Jones, CELL 423-653-4479, HOME 423-842-6441
