Calendar

Past Activity

Canceled: Black Oak Basin Explora

  • Start date: 09/10/2021

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 09/10/2021

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Late change to different hike. Rescheduled from the heat of early August, this is one of my favorite hikes along the PCT! The tentative plan for the hike from Lava Camp Trailhead includes, 1) after 3 miles, a brief stop at lovely S. Matthieu Lake for snacks and views of N. Sister; 2) after 2 interesting miles on good tread through the lava beds, the trail climbs to the shoulder of Yapoah Crater for views of lava flows, Mt. Washington, and beyond; 3) an optional scramble up the fine scree slope to the impressive rim of Yapoah Crater; 4) lunch on the return to Yapoah shoulder; 5) on our return, another brief rest stop at S. Matthieu Lake; 6) continuing down on the old Skyline Trail to N. Matthieu Lake (a swim is possible if time and temperature permit), 7) then completing the final 2.4 miles to the trailhead. We will proceed at a steady, moderate pace. To best enjoy this hike, be prepared for a long day with double lunches and double water. Bring the 10 essentials and appropriate gear for wind and cold, sun and heat, and possible rain. We will follow current COVID guidelines. You may wish to make any carpool arrangements privately before the trip. Email me if you have questions.

  • Event Leader: Yoerger Karen

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

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

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 143

  • Season: 2021

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring double water, double lunch, the 10 essentials, and appropriate gear for sun and heat, wind and cold, and possible rain. Please read the updated COVID Protocols on the Obsidian website.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 11

  • Member Fees: 2

  • Elevation Gain: 1500

  • Non-Member Fees: 6

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

This Matthieu Lakes trip was repurposed to a Black Oak Basin Explora Hike after only two of us remained signed up for the Matthieu Lakes hike. We had both been to Matthieu Lakes recently and, since the weather forecast for McKenzie Pass included rain and wind, we opted to substitute this local hike. Black Oak Basin is one of the City of Eugene’s newer acquisitions. It is named Bloomberg Park on the Ridgeline Trail Map and is near Coryell Ridge and Moon Mountain. The access is from the west end of Bloomberg Road. The old road and trails had been brushed to keep the blackberries at bay, which made for easy walking. There were many fine old black and white oak trees. Lots of pale blue chicory and some yellow moth mullein were still blooming by the road. The area was recommended by a birder, but we only saw a few birds: spotted towhee, scrub jay, black-capped chickadee, bushtit, wrentit, song sparrow, and a northern flicker feather. There is little signage and, after wandering the area in two general loops, we found ourselves a few hundred yards down the road from our car at a Coryell Park trailhead. Dorothy van Winkle was the Assistant Leader today. All in all, it was a pleasant two-hour walk on a cloudy fall day, and worth another visit.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 12
  • Number of spots available: 7
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Yoerger, Karen 541-510-2832 N 2
2 Signed-Up Carpenter, Kathie 541-505-2370 N 2
3 Signed-Up van Winkle, Dorothy 541-485-7416 N 2
4 Signed-Up Whitfield, Nancy 541-520-0450 N 2
5 Signed-Up Orsi, Barbara 541-515-9665 N 2