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Cairn Hope Peak: Petrified Wood & Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Yakima County, Washington

Updated July 2026

Cairn Hope Peak is a mapped rockhounding spot in Yakima County, Washington. Reported finds include petrified wood, opalized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Map showing Cairn Hope Peak in Yakima County, Washington

Quick details

Access
Permission required

Geology at Cairn Hope Peak

This spot sits on Frenchman Springs Member, Wanapum Basalt, mapped as basalt flows (frenchman springs member [crb and wb]) that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Petrified wood typically comes from volcanic ash beds like the ones associated with this ground, where buried forests were slowly replaced by silica.

Mapped unit
Frenchman Springs Member, Wanapum Basalt
Age
23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Rock types
basalt flows (frenchman springs member [crb and wb])
Elevation
2,260 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.

Best time to visit Cairn Hope Peak

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PRIEST RAPIDS DAM station (6 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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.

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:

Found at Cairn Hope Peak

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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Cairn Hope Peak.

Across the state line from Cairn Hope Peak

Cairn Hope Peak is close enough to the Washington border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Cairn Hope Peak FAQ

Where is Cairn Hope Peak?+
Cairn Hope Peak is in Yakima County, Washington, at 46.56614, -119.97689.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Cairn Hope Peak?+
Cairn Hope Peak is reported to produce Petrified Wood, Opalized Wood.
Is collecting allowed at Cairn Hope Peak?+
Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What tools should I bring to Cairn Hope Peak?+
A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.
When is the best time to visit Cairn Hope Peak?+
The most comfortable months at Cairn Hope Peak are March to October.
How do I get to Cairn Hope Peak?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 46.56614, -119.97689 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Washington

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