Calendar

Past Activity

Obsidian Loop

  • Start date: 07/14/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 07/14/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

***WEATHER ALERT***(710) Hot weather expected this weekend with valley temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s and probably high 80s at altitude. Be sure to carry enough water and wear light clothing. There is a lot of sun exposure on this hike.***

This is the iconic Club hike. We will do the loop counterclockwise. It should be late enough that most of the snow has gone, but be prepared for snow on the trail in the higher elevations. There should be good wildflowers as well. White Branch Creek may be deep enough to get some footwear wet in crossing, but likely not.

  • Event Leader: Mike Smith

  • Event Leader Phone: 520-488-9569

  • Event Leader Email: mssq@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 125

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: 10 essentials. Sunscreen is recommended, as are gaiters and poles. Bug repellent would be wise as well. There is plenty of water along the trail. Lunch is planned at Obsidian Falls. Be careful when handling obsidian. It is very sharp!

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 12

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 2000

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

It was good to again return to the Obsidian Loop after two years' absence. The trail has about 1/2 mile burned on the approach, but the rest of the hike was not affected by the fires. The wildflowers were superb, with Broadleaf Lupine, Mariposa Lily, Mountain Indian Paintbrush, Bog St. John's Wort, Red Heather, and fields full of multiple colors. We had lunch at Obsidian Falls, which was flowing well, and then walked through the area with obsidian everywhere around us. While it was very hot in the valley, the temperatures at 6500' were reasonable with a nice breeze.