Calendar

Past Activity

Canceled: Wild Iris Ridge

  • Start date: 04/24/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/24/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Meet at trail head at Bailey Hill and Bertelsen (from West 18th take Bailey Hill to intersection with Bertelsen; parking lot on left).
We will follow the new graveled path up to the Ridge and then will explore the less visited and less developed area to the east (all within the park). Views of Spencer Butte, Fern Ridge Lake and the Coast Range. Be prepared for mud and standing water, so waterproof hiking boots are essential. This should be during the blooming season of the wild irises. Call the leader with any questions.

  • Event Leader: Chris Stockdale

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-221-2293

  • Event Leader Email: happyhiker2010@hotmail.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Urban

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles:

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Rain gear, waterproof boots, snacks and water.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 5

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 700

  • Non-Member Fees: 2

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report


Wild Iris Ridge is a little known 250 acre Eugene park in the southwest hills. On a beautiful sunny day, the nine Obsidian hikers learned first hand why it has its name as the irises were in their peak blooming stage (as was the prolific poison oak). A new graveled trail goes from the Bailey Hill trailhead to the ridge and loops around the western section of the park before heading back down. This hike, however, took the participants into the less developed and rather wet and muddy section of the park to the east. Few people go there so solitude can be found on most days. The parks department has been clearing quite a lot of trees and undergrowth so the area is opening up. From the ridge (which will eventually be incorporated into the Ridge Line Trail once access across private land to Blanton Heights is negotiated) you have views of Spencer Butte, the Coast Range and the woods and hills to the south. This is a park that is definitely worth visiting.