🍵 Full 2026 Dig Calendar
Below is our confirmed 2026 field outing schedule. All digs are on Saturdays and begin at the times listed. Please arrive 15 minutes early for the safety briefing — late arrivals may miss the group briefing and will have to catch up on the trail.
| Date | Time | Site | Field Guide | Expected Finds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat. Mar. 21 | 1:00 PM | Site #2 (Pohatcong Ridge) | Ed Vanderlan | Magnetite, schist garnet |
| Sat. Apr. 11 | 1:30 PM | Site #1 (Pequest Gravel Bar) | Marge O'Donnell | Quartz, calcite, jasper |
| ★ SAT. MAY 9 ★ | 2:00 PM | Jenny Jump State Forest | Ed Vanderlan & Hank Pulaski | Smoky quartz, garnet, willemite |
| Sat. Jun. 13 | 9:00 AM | Site #3 (Old Harmony Quarry) | Hank Pulaski | Franklinite, zincite, calcite |
| Sat. Jul. 18 | 8:00 AM (early!) | Site #2 (Pohatcong Ridge) | Marge O'Donnell | Summer dig — quartz, hematite |
| Sat. Aug. 22 | 8:00 AM | CANCELLED (annual picnic) | — | — |
| Sat. Sep. 19 | 10:00 AM | Jenny Jump State Forest | Ed Vanderlan | Fall dig — fluorescent minerals |
| Sat. Oct. 17 | 10:00 AM | Site #1 (Pequest Gravel Bar) | Hank Pulaski | Leaf-change dig — mixed |
| Sat. Nov. 14 | 11:00 AM | Site #3 (Old Harmony Quarry) | Marge O'Donnell | Last dig before snow |
📍 Meetup Details for the May 9 Spring Thaw Dig
🚗 Getting There
Look for the campsite entrance at Jenny Jump State Forest. It is a bit off the beaten path — the landmarks are not always well-signed, so give yourself a little extra time. Most folks who have been out to one of our digs before know roughly where to aim for; if it's your first time, trust the general direction and you will eventually see cars pulled over.
Once you find the entrance, gather with the group and Ed will lead us the rest of the way in on foot.
🛠 What to Bring to the May Dig
See our full Tools & Gear page for the complete list. At minimum for the Spring Thaw Dig you will want:
- Rock hammer or small geologist's pick (mattocks are overkill for thaw digs)
- Heavy work gloves — leather, not cloth
- Safety goggles or safety glasses
- Two 5-gallon buckets (one for keepers, one for "maybes")
- Sturdy hiking boots, preferably waterproof (the cut floor stays damp through May)
- A spray bottle of water for rinsing specimens in the field
- A bag lunch — digging is hungry work!
- A hand-held UV lamp if you have one (bring extra batteries) — some of the minerals at Jenny Jump fluoresce beautifully
🔔 First-Time Digger Sign-Up
If this is your first WCRA outing, please email our secretary at least 48 hours in advance at wcra.diggers@gmail.com. We will send you our short New Digger Orientation Packet (a 3-page PDF, or by mail if you prefer) covering site etiquette, a signed liability waiver, and the annual $15 dues form if you'd like to become a full member.
Walk-ons are permitted but discouraged — Jenny Jump has a hard cap of 20 diggers per outing, which is a condition of our state forest collecting permit.
🌞 Weather Policy
The May 9th Spring Thaw Dig will proceed rain or shine, but will be cancelled in the case of:
- Thunderstorms (any lightning within 10 miles — we use the old "count the seconds" rule on the drive up)
- Temperatures below 38°F (frozen ground = broken picks)
- Flash-flood conditions on the access road (the drainages jump their banks every few springs)
- Active bear-sighting bulletins from NJ Fish & Wildlife (see Safety page!)
If we need to cancel, Ed will leave a message on the WCRA Rain Line at (908) 455-0449 by 12:00 noon on dig day. You are also welcome to call the Hope Diner directly — they know us and will relay the call.