CK Williams Quarry

Date:

Location: 701 N. Delaware Dr., Easton, PA 18042

Collecting Site(s):   CK Williams Quarry.   PA - 611 W  Easton, PA    Far western end of Franklin Marble, heavily altered to Serpentine, Asbestiform minerals and various Micas.  Pegmatite bodies present with Feldspar, Quartz, Micas, Schorl, Titanite, and associated minerals.  Some radioactives present, mostly disseminated.  ***for GPS use – put in “ 701 N. Delaware Dr.  Easton, PA 18042 “   - this is address of Easton Water Bureau and is an old brick bldg. right next to where we park ***     

*** Trip starts 20 minutes MAX. from meet-up time !!!! ***
Meeting Place:  (parking area for / pull-off) CK Williams Quarry.  Look for an electrical tower just past an old brick building (Water Bureau bldg.); this is 1 parking area.  Pull-off / other parking area is directly opposite side of road.   CARPOOLING IS ENCOURAGED IF POSSIBLE  
 
Trip Notes:  Collecting at CK Williams Quarry will be approximately 10:00 am to whenever.  Will involve stops at the Franklin marble exposure, Delaware River bank digging areas, pegmatite area.

** Be aware of presence of ASBESTOS mineralization as well as TRACE RADIOACTIVE mineralization in certain parts of the quarry **

Bring: WATER, BUG / TICK SPRAY, work gloves, rock hammer, chisels, sledge, buckets, newspaper, pry bars, Geiger counter (if desired), LUNCH / SNACK    

** you may wish to bring / use a surgical or dust mask due to Asbestos minerals presence **

Hard Hat Required?  NO
Proper safety gear is required on ALL trips.  (Glasses, sturdy footwear, Gloves)
Attendees will be required to sign Hold Harmless Ag. / Attendance Sheet.

Post Event Write-Up:

Clubs in attend:  NoJMS, FM-NJ, PESA, DVESS, Nittany CLub

Hosts:  Groundhog Dave; Mark Leipert (DVESS); "Great" Dane Transue (PESA); Mike "Pie Man" Dunton (Nittany club); Tom Prochar

Attendees:  Groundhog Dave, Mark Leipert (DVESS), "Great" Dane Transue (PESA), Mike "Pie Man" Dunton (Nittany CLub), Tom Prochar, Erik Vadeika, Stephanie "Carpet Squares" Apgar, Yu Lin, Noah "Arrowhead" Garwood, LaRonda Davis, Zachary Schagrin, Erik and Emory Jensen; Rich "Drake" Drake, Elizabeth and Luca Prendini; Dottie Lennon; various members of PESA, DVESS, nittany Club

We had an enjoyable multi-Club visit to C.K. Williams Quarry in early May.  As we did in 2023, NoJMS and FM -NJ teamed up with several NJ and PA clubs to organize a multi-CLub visit to the quarry, and a great time was had by all.  Special thansk to "Great" Dane Transue for arranging to have resident long time expert Tom Prochar on hand to explain the geology and show some treasures he colected at the quarry over several decades.  Many varieties of Serpentines, pegmatite minerals and some radioactives, were provided in the familiar red pick-up truck, for us to view and be amazed at.  The specimens were quite colorful, varying shades of greens, reds and yellows were for all to see.  

Following Tom's outstanding intro, members split up to venture either into the quarry, or across the road to the bank leading to the Delaware River, to dig into the hillside.  The weather was very humid but impending rain did hold off "as advertised", so that was agreeable. 

Everyone came away with nice examples of Eastonite, various Serpentine and Phlogopite and Muscovite Mica combos, and Chrysotile / asbestos mineral combos.  And also some foks obtained Quartz and / or Feldspar pieces / combos from the intrusive Pegmatite body. 

Some more Notable finds included:

• Possible small Zircon xls in serpentine - Noah "Arrowhead" Garwood
• Small Titanite xls in altered marble - Luca Prendini
• "Verdolite" small reddish coloration of / on Serpentine - Groundhog Dave

Mike "Pie Man" Dunton gave Dave some nicely manicured and organized small samples of Anthracite Coal form PA, for the FM-NJ Juniors program.  Small perky boxes and vials contained the specimens.