Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge: Geode Digging in Kittitas County, Washington

Public accessBest spot1 mineralKittitas County, WashingtonUpdated June 2026

Mineral reported: 1
Elevation: 4,720 ft
Best months: April to October

Red Top Mountain sits on the Eocene Teanaway Basalt, the rock unit Washington geologists identify as the source of the area's chalcedony, agate, and quartz-lined geodes. The collecting beds along the ridge yield blue and clear chalcedony nodules, thunder eggs, and crystal-lined geodes including amethyst. The site lies on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and has drawn hobby collectors for generations. Reported finds include blue agate geode. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Kittitas County
State: Washington
Nearest road: Forest Road 9738-120
Coordinates: 47.32948, -120.74563

Get directions View on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Access note: Reach the agate beds from Highway 97 north of Mineral Springs via Forest Roads 9738 and 9702, then hike the ridge; the roads are typically snow-closed from October through May. A free-use Forest Service permit from the Cle Elum Ranger District is required before collecting, and digging should stay off active claims in the Swauk Mining District.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Best time to visit Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge

25°J

31°F

39°M

47°A

56°M

62°J

71°J

71°A

63°S

48°O

33°N

24°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 71°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 12°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CLE ELUM station (12 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge

This spot sits on Swauk Formation, mapped as continental sedimentary deposits or rocks that formed roughly 56 to 34 million years ago. Concretions and geodes typically weather out of sedimentary beds like these, standing out as rounded, heavier-or-lighter-than-expected lumps.

Mapped unit: Swauk Formation
Age: 56–34 Ma (Eocene)
Rock types: continental sedimentary deposits or rocks
Elevation: 4,720 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Today's weather

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Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
Stonerose Interpretive Center, Visit & rules
BLM Spokane District
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge

Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Blue Agate Geode Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge.

LibertyKittitas County, Washington · 7 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony Nodule
LibertyKittitas County, Washington · 7 mi awayGold
Middle Fork Teanaway RiverKittitas County, Washington · 10 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony Geode
Cle ElumKittitas County, Washington · 12 mi awayBlue Agate
EllensburgKittitas County, Washington · 20 mi awayGeode
American RiverYakima County, Washington · 32 mi awayGold
Denny Mt.King County, Washington · 34 mi awayCalcite, Quartz, Amethyst
Hansen Creek Opal MineKing County, Washington · 37 mi away

Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge FAQ

Where is Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge?+

Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge is in Kittitas County, Washington, at 47.32948, -120.74563. Nearest road: Forest Road 9738-120.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge?+

Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge is reported to produce Blue Agate Geode.

Is collecting allowed at Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

When is the best time to visit Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge?+

The most comfortable months at Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge are April to October.

How do I get to Red Top Mt. and Teanaway Ridge?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.32948, -120.74563 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Forest Road 9738-120.