There is something special about finding the material yourself.
British Columbia is an extraordinary place for anyone interested in rocks, minerals and fossils. From river bars and mountain outcrops to fossil-bearing sedimentary formations, the province offers a remarkable variety of material and geology to explore.
Field trips give Tri-Cities Lapidary Society members an opportunity to get outdoors, learn about local geology, search for material and enjoy the company of other rockhounds. The Society organizes outings throughout the year, with destinations depending on access, weather, collecting conditions and the material being sought.
Rockhounding in British Columbia
Fraser River
The gravel bars of the Fraser River are among the best-known rockhounding areas in southwestern British Columbia.
When river levels and access conditions permit, rockhounds may find a variety of water-worn material including agate, jasper and jade, along with many other interesting rocks and minerals carried and concentrated by the river.
Princeton
The Princeton area is famous for its Eocene fossil deposits and provides an extraordinary glimpse into life in British Columbia roughly 50 million years ago.
Fossil beds of the region are known for beautifully preserved plant material and other remains from ancient lake environments. The wider southern Interior is also home to exceptional fossil deposits where plants, insects and other organisms have been preserved in remarkable detail.
Harrison Lake
The Harrison Lake area is well known for Jurassic and Cretaceous marine fossils preserved in sedimentary rocks.
Fossil hunters have encountered Buchia bivalves, bullet-shaped belemnites and ammonites at localities in the region — remains of marine life from seas that existed here millions of years ago.
Society Field Trips
Tri-Cities Lapidary Society organizes field trips throughout the year. Trips may focus on rocks and minerals suitable for lapidary work, mineral specimens, fossils or simply an interesting geological location worth exploring.
Destinations can range across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley to locations farther into British Columbia. The type and frequency of outings will vary according to seasonal conditions, site access and opportunities identified by our Wagonmaster and other members.
Field Trips with Other B.C. Clubs
One of the advantages of belonging to the Tri-Cities Lapidary Society is being part of the wider British Columbia lapidary community.
Clubs belonging to the British Columbia Lapidary Society (BCLS) have a long tradition of cooperating on rockhounding outings and welcoming members of other affiliated clubs. This can open the door to destinations and collecting opportunities well beyond those organized directly by TCLS.
Members are encouraged to follow the BCLS on social media, where invitations and information about field trips hosted by other member clubs may be shared.
What to Expect
Field trips are social and educational — and sometimes muddy. Conditions can range from an easy walk along a river bar to rough forest roads, steep slopes or uneven collecting sites.
Come Prepared
Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather and terrain, along with any collecting tools, food, water and safety equipment identified in the trip announcement.
Respect the Site
Follow the Wagonmaster's directions, respect private property and collecting restrictions, stay within approved areas and leave collecting sites in good condition.
Learn as You Go
You do not need to be an expert rockhound. Field trips are a great opportunity to learn what to look for and to benefit from the experience of other members.
Expect Conditions to Change
Weather, water levels, road access, land ownership and collecting restrictions can all affect a trip. Destinations or plans may therefore change when conditions require it.
Field Trip Waivers
A new waiver or risk acknowledgement is required for each field trip because the hazards and safety profile of every collecting site are different.
Adults must complete the Adult Field Trip Waiver. Participants under 19 require a Risk Acknowledgement signed by a parent or adult sponsoring member. Participants are encouraged to print, read and sign the appropriate form before leaving home and must present it to the Wagonmaster at the field trip rendezvous point.