Easy Hike—Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds—Sunday, September 24, 2023
Leader: Mark Hougardy

Meet at the Jerry's Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the east side near the main entrance and Hwy 99. We will carpool from there. Our route will be 99W > W on Bruce Road (Gravel) > making a bathroom stop at the McFadden Marsh parking area, then 1.25 miles to the Beaver/Cattail Pond Parking Area. This is nature-viewing hike to look for wood ducks, grebes, and mergansers, and other critters at the ponds. This section of the hike is 2.5 mile lollipop loop w/ 100 ft. elevation gain. After this section we return to our cars and drive back to the McFadden Trail for a short half-mile trail (round-trip) to McFadden's Marsh to visit a bird-blind, look for raptors and shore birds. There is a side trail that we might explore for another half mile. Lunch will be somewhere on the trail. Dress for the weather. We plan to return to the Jerry's parking lot between 3pm and 4pm.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Leader: Tommy Young

We will start on time at 6:45am. 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, September 27, 2023
Leader: Sandra Sigrist

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—Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise—Thursday, September 28, 2023
Leader: Janet Jacobsen

Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box.. Moonrise is 6:56 and sunset is 6:58. (Full Moon is September 29) , We will take Trails 7,3 and 1 (main trail). Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions or if you have never hiked Mt. Pisgah. If you don’t have a Lane County pass, allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead.

Easy Hike—Cleawox & Bear, Hike & Swim—Saturday, September 30, 2023
Leader: Darko Sojak

Obsidians hike and swim outing. This early autumn adventure will happen a few miles south of Florence. For parking: State Park pass or day-use fee.

Difficult Hike—Maxwell Butte—Saturday, September 30, 2023
Leader: Steven Johnson

This should be a nice fall hike up to a great viewpoint. I'm not a fan of hiking in the rain so this trip will be cancelled if the weather forecast doesn't improve. Some of us will be stopping at Takodas after the hike.

Moderate Hike—Rosary Lakes—Monday, October 2, 2023
Leader: Jean Harris

This lovely mountain hike begins at a PCT parking area immediately after Willamette Pass ski area. The PCT passes through a beautiful mixed forest with an occasional glimpse of Odell Lake and Diamond Peak. As we approach Lower Rosary Lake, the climb increases a bit. Rosary is lovely with Pulpit Rock rising to the west. The path continues past Middle and Upper Rosary Lakes, with a view point a half mile beyond the lakes. This will be the turnaround point. Snacks and lunch breaks can happen along the way. Those who are swimmers may certainly enjoy a dip in 1, 2 or all 3 lakes.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Leader: Tommy Young

We will start on time at 6:45am. 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, October 4, 2023
Leader: Jorry Rolfe

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—Four-In-One Cone—Sunday, October 8, 2023
Leader: Mike Smith

Annual hike up the cone. Nice 3 mile hike to the volcanic area gradually ascending with 2 sections of walking in the volcanic debris. Climb the cone and have lunch on top. Return to vehicles by 230 or 3. Nice views of Black and Yapoah Craters, Collier Glacier and Cone, North and Middle Sisters, and the Husband, as well as the northern Oregon high Cascades. Plan on any weather. It can be warm, but we’ve had snow on the cone (once) and had lunch in the woods because of rain (twice). If the weather is unsuitable, we won’t climb the cone because of exposure (not yet). Plan on layers including gloves. It can be chilly up there this time of year. Wear good sturdy boots. Walking sticks and gaiters are useful but not essential. No water sources on the hike.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Leader: Tommy Young

We will start on time at 6:45am. 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, October 11, 2023
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.

Easy Hike—Annular solar eclipse—Saturday, October 14, 2023
Leader: Darko Sojak

Meet at Burger King Parking lot, Division Ave. Santa Clara Easy morning hike to see annular solar eclipse near Fern Ridge Reservoir.