The Klamath County Museum will offer a rockhounding and polishing event in Klamath Falls on Saturday, July 7, 2012.

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - July 3rd, 2012 - The outing will begin at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the NEW Customer Service Center at 6000 Sykes Ave. To reach the site, go north on Highway 97 to Dan O’Brien Way, and follow “rock” signs.

Participants will be invited to bring rocks they gather to the museum later in the morning, and place them in a batch to be polished.

The outing, cosponsored by the Klamath Rock and Arrowhead Club, will focus on a particular type of stone found only in Klamath Falls.

“A unique combination of diatomite and geothermal aquifers has produced a very beautiful type of rock that takes a very nice polish,” said museum manager Todd Kepple. “Local rockhounds call it “yadenite” in honor of John Yaden, an early member of the rock club who called attention to it.”

The rock gathering event will be conducted on a parcel of land owned by the City of Klamath Falls.

Members of the rock club will be on hand to help novice rockhounds learn to spot rocks suitable for polishing. Samples of polished stones will be available for viewing.

“We’ll also be looking for some fossil imprints, or signs of plants and animals that lived long, long ago,” Kepple said. “This should be a great activity for families with young children.”

Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring drinking water, sun protection, a rock hammer or small shovel, and a bag or small bucket for collecting stones. A small bucket of water can be helpful in sorting rocks suitable for polishing.

For more information contact the Klamath County Museum at (541) 883-4208.

About Discover Klamath:

Discover Klamath strengthens Klamath County’s economy by attracting and encouraging visitors and residents to experience the Klamath region by promoting the area’s strengths including its unique natural environment, vibrant cultural communities and rich heritage resources.

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