Calendar

Past Activity

South Eugene Meadows

  • Start date: 04/27/2023

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/27/2023

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Update: One person is biking. Meet at the trailhead 5004 Blanton Road where there are 8 parking spaces on the south side of road. I'll email directions. Watch for update in case we need to meet at the Blanton Ridge Trailhead and carpool the short distance to SEM. Parts of trail are muddy. Distance could from 2-4 miles. From parrks website: SEM features large areas of upland prairie, oak savanna, and oak woodlands. From a small trailhead on Blanton Road southwest of the Blanton Ridge Trailhead, informal footpaths through the site offer access to headwater streams, rocky knobs, and stunning views. Purchased with a combination of the 2006 Parks bond funds, grant funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Bonneville Power Administration’s Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program, and a significant donation from the previous landowner, this will eventually help connect Wild Iris Ridge to 52nd & Willamette.

  • Event Leader: Jacobsen Janet

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Urban

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles:

  • Season: 2023

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Sun protection. Some muddy trail sections.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 3

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 130

  • Non-Member Fees: 2

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

It was a tight fit for our cars and one bike at the small trailhead parking lot on Blanton Road. It was warm afternoon to explore the upland prairie, oak savanna and oak woodlands. The Eugene City 2018 Ridgeline Trail Map indicated the park would eventually help connect Wild Iris Ridge to 52nd and Willamette. For those hiking the footpaths for the first time, there were many questions about the boundary, the no trespassing gate, and future plans—the leader could not answer most of the questions but did provide maps. After the hike four of us stopped at the Blanton Ridge Trailhead to hike in the shade for ten minutes to see an amazing calypso orchid display.
Some history: In 2007 the Obsidian Board of Directors approved President John Pegg’s letter to support the City of Eugene’s efforts to expand the Ridgeline Trail system with Forest Legacy Program funds for the Miesen property. The June 2011 Bulletin article by Joanne Ledet provided information about the purchase: Monies are being provided from Bonneville Power Administration, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and voter-approved 2006 parks bond measure. Financial concessions were also made by the property owner, Ed Miesen.

http://www.obsidians.org/bulletin/Issues/2011_Bulletins/2011_06_Bulletin.pdf

Obsidian Dave Predeek and a friend of Ed Miesen now deceased said that Ed wanted the area protected.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 9
  • Number of spots available: 0
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Jacobsen, Janet 541-206-1251 N —
2 Signed-Up Allen, Jane 541-731-1338 N 2
3 Signed-Up Whalen, Maureen 510-390-4411 N —
4 Signed-Up Soussan, Pat 541-653-7997 N —
5 Signed-Up Hoeg, Kathy 541-484-6196 N —
6 Signed-Up Eriksen, Robert 503-964-2398 N —
7 Signed-Up Rolfe, Jorry 541-206-9501 N —
8 Signed-Up Rusow, Karla 541-744-7990 N —
9 Signed-Up Kelley, Suzanne 541-600-3940 N 2
10 Signed-Up Clinger, David 541-206-9533 N —