Moderate Hike—Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte—Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Leader: Randy Sinnott

NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00. Every Wednesday since 2013 we do this hike from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. Compared to starting at the paved Spencer Butte parking lot, this hike has double the climbing and three times the distance. It is a conditioning hike where everyone is challenging themselves to go at a moderate or fast pace—not like the other hikes on our schedule. If this is your first time on this Obsidian conditioning hike, or hiking to Spencer Butte, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. If you should fall too far behind, the leaders reserve the right to have you not summit but wait and return with the group. The regulars on this hike have attained their fitness by showing up consistently and slowly improving. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. To get to the trailhead: Take West Amazon to Martin Street. Turn left. Drive past Kinney Park and park Martin Street near the Kiosk sign board across from Canyon Drive Street sign with hiker symbol. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.

Easy Hike—Kelly Butte—Thursday, April 25, 2024
Leader: Vern Marsonette

Meet at Day Island Park, Springfield. Begin at Day Island Park to D st, to Summit st. to Kelly Butte Summit , hike north to Centennial Blvd. to Rainbow st south to River trail toward Eugene. Cross River at bike path heading east on Franklin Blvd. returning to Day Island Park. Some may stop for lunch at Roaring Rapids Pizza on the river. Lunch special pizza, salad bar and drink $9.95.

Moderate Hike—Silver Falls/ Abiqua Falls—Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Leader: Steven Johnson

This is a two part trip so please read the entire description. We'll meet up at the Springfield Fred Meyer on Q St, just north of the fuel station in time to depart at 7am. We'll then drive to our trailhead at Silver Falls South Falls day use area and park at the north lot that's closest to South Falls. Note that there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. We'll then hike in a clockwise direction with side trips to Winter Falls and Upper North Falls where we'll stop for a lunch break. From here we'll complete the loop back to our vehicles to finish the first part of our trip. For those of you who do not intend to hike to Abiqua Falls you'll drive home from here. It's up to you to get yourself into a vehicle that's going where you want to go from here. From Silver Falls we'll drive to the trailhead for Abiqua Falls which is about 10 miles past the town of Scotts Mills. Driving to the trailhead is only possible in dry weather so this part of the trip may be cancelled if the weather is wet. The hike to Abiqua Falls only takes about 15 minutes but it's a steep scramble. There are ropes placed to help negotiate the hillside. Note that adding Abiqua Falls will increase driving distance to 205 miles or $22.55. After this long day we'll be stopping for dinner before driving home.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Leader: Tommy Young

We will start on time at 7:00 am. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. This hike to the top of Spencer Butte takes the less traveled route from Blanton Road. We'll cross Blanton Ridge before continuing on from the 52nd and Willamette trailhead. This option provides a good in town workout.. If the weather doesn't co-operate we can forgo the exposed rocky steps near the top. There are 2 ways to get to the trailhead: 1. To get to the trailhead from 29th & Willamette continue south on Willamette. At Willamette/Donald St Intersection bear right on Willamette. Immediately bear right again on to Crest Drive. Follow signs staying on Crest for approximately 1.2 miles to the Junction with Blanton Road. Turn left on Blanton. The trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr. 2. Another way to get to the Blanton trailhead is to go south on Chambers until it ends at Crest Drive. Turn left on to Crest. In about ½ mile turn right on Blanton Road.

Moderate Hike—Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte—Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Leader: Mike Smith

NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00. Every Wednesday since 2013 we do this hike from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. Compared to starting at the paved Spencer Butte parking lot, this hike has double the climbing and three times the distance. It is a conditioning hike where everyone is challenging themselves to go at a moderate or fast pace—not like the other hikes on our schedule. If this is your first time on this Obsidian conditioning hike, or hiking to Spencer Butte, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. If you should fall too far behind, the leaders reserve the right to have you not summit but wait and return with the group. The regulars on this hike have attained their fitness by showing up consistently and slowly improving. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. To get to the trailhead: Take West Amazon to Martin Street. Turn left. Drive past Kinney Park and park Martin Street near the Kiosk sign board across from Canyon Drive Street sign with hiker symbol. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.

Moderate Hike—Wild Iris Ridge—Thursday, May 2, 2024
Leader: Lisa Van Liefde

Meet at the Wild Iris Ridge Park trailhead on the corner of Bailey Hill Road and S. Bertleson. Please arrive by 5:55pm for a 6pm departure. Parking can be tight, carpool if you're able - otherwise there is street parking on Bailey Hill near the residential area if the lot is full. This is a moderate conditioning hike, requiring ability to keep a steady pace. The goal is to take the extra loop for a total of 4.4 miles. Suggest long pants as there could be brush covering some of the upper loop trail.

Easy Hike—Finley Wildlife Refuge—Sunday, May 5, 2024
Leader: Jane Hackett

The back trails at Finley are open this time of year so we may do a shuttle and see areas that are new. Either way plan on wet trails, and tall grass. This is primarily a hike but we stop at one blind to check out the birds. For those interested in the headquarters gift shop they should be open.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Leader: Denise Rubenstein

We will start on time at 7:00 am. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. This hike to the top of Spencer Butte takes the less traveled route from Blanton Road. We'll cross Blanton Ridge before continuing on from the 52nd and Willamette trailhead. This option provides a good in town workout.. If the weather doesn't co-operate we can forgo the exposed rocky steps near the top. There are 2 ways to get to the trailhead: 1. To get to the trailhead from 29th & Willamette continue south on Willamette. At Willamette/Donald St Intersection bear right on Willamette. Immediately bear right again on to Crest Drive. Follow signs staying on Crest for approximately 1.2 miles to the Junction with Blanton Road. Turn left on Blanton. The trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr. 2. Another way to get to the Blanton trailhead is to go south on Chambers until it ends at Crest Drive. Turn left on to Crest. In about ½ mile turn right on Blanton Road.

Moderate Hike—Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte—Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Leader: Janet Jacobsen

NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00. Every Wednesday since 2013 we do this hike from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. Compared to starting at the paved Spencer Butte parking lot, this hike has double the climbing and three times the distance. It is a conditioning hike where everyone is challenging themselves to go at a moderate or fast pace—not like the other hikes on our schedule. If this is your first time on this Obsidian conditioning hike, or hiking to Spencer Butte, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. If you should fall too far behind, the leaders reserve the right to have you not summit but wait and return with the group. The regulars on this hike have attained their fitness by showing up consistently and slowly improving. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. To get to the trailhead: Take West Amazon to Martin Street. Turn left. Drive past Kinney Park and park Martin Street near the Kiosk sign board across from Canyon Drive Street sign with hiker symbol. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.

Moderate Hike—St. Vinnies Greatest Hits —Thursday, May 9, 2024
Leader: Kathie Carpenter

This will be a full day of touring the great community projects provided by St. Vincent de Paul, and will include a lot of walking and a short bus ride. It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn firsthand about all the services St. Vinnie's provides our community, and to meet some of the staff and volunteers who are doing this good work for all of us. Throughout the day, you'll find yourself saying, over and over again, "Wait, what?! St. Vinnie's does THAT too?" We'll gather at First Place Family Center for introductions and a tour, then walk downtown, passing by, but not stopping at, several affordable, energy-efficient housing sites. From downtown we'll take LTD bus #41 to the Lamb Building affordable housing site for a quick presentation, and walk to a Safe Sleep site for a tour. After a late picnic lunch at MLK Jr. Park we'll tour the Cleveland St. warehouse and recycling center. We'll finish the day with optional retail therapy at St. Vinnie's at 888 Garfield and/or 1870 W. 11th. You can either walk back to First Place Family Center (4.7 miles) or take the bus back (~ 45 min). Total mileage will be 11.1 miles if you walk back, and 6.4 miles if you take the bus back. Note: You could also arrange a car shuttle for the return to First Place Family Center, by leaving a car at our last destination.

Moderate Hike—Pisgah East Side Loop—Friday, May 10, 2024
Leader: Heidi Anderson

Description: East Trailhead – from Eugene, drive east on Highway 58 towards Pleasant Hill. Turn left on Ridgeway Road at the 76 Station and drive 1.7 miles to the parking area on the left. The parking lot is small, but vehicles can also park on the main road if necessary. Lane County Parking Pass is required to park in the lot. Remove any valuables from your vehicle. There is a porta potty at the trailhead. We will hike to the summit on trails #2, 4, 3 and then #1 and returning on trail #6. (Route may be modified due to closures) Good conditioning hike. Optional brunch/lunch following hike.

easy Hike—Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail—Saturday, May 11, 2024
Leader: Lana Lindstrom

Meet at the Obsidian Lodge to start the hike on the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park and back. This is an opportunity to find out about the Obsidians, get acquainted with members, and visit our lodge. This hike through the woods has a few short bursts of steep up and down hill. We will be done around noon. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions. Drive past the Laurelwood Golf Course up 27th St then at the top of the hill turn right onto Spring Blvd, a one lane road. When Spring Blvd ends at a T intersection, turn left and immediately look for the Obsidians sign and driveway on your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. The Lodge is hard to find so if you want to view the map, go to the Obsidian home page. http://obsidians.org/lodgemap.htm

Moderate Hike—Eel Creek—Sunday, May 12, 2024
Leader: Jane Hackett

This is the area that inspired the Dune series. It is a drive but you see the highest dunes in on the coast. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in this area.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Leader: Tommy Young

We will start on time at 7:00 am. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. This hike to the top of Spencer Butte takes the less traveled route from Blanton Road. We'll cross Blanton Ridge before continuing on from the 52nd and Willamette trailhead. This option provides a good in town workout.. If the weather doesn't co-operate we can forgo the exposed rocky steps near the top. There are 2 ways to get to the trailhead: 1. To get to the trailhead from 29th & Willamette continue south on Willamette. At Willamette/Donald St Intersection bear right on Willamette. Immediately bear right again on to Crest Drive. Follow signs staying on Crest for approximately 1.2 miles to the Junction with Blanton Road. Turn left on Blanton. The trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr. 2. Another way to get to the Blanton trailhead is to go south on Chambers until it ends at Crest Drive. Turn left on to Crest. In about ½ mile turn right on Blanton Road.