Name: Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
Start: 2024-08-06T06:45:00-07:00
End: 2024-08-06T10:30:00-07:00

Past Activity

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte

Start date: 08/06/2024
Start time: 6:45 AM
End date: 08/06/2024
End time: 10:30 AM

Description:

We will start on time at 6:45 am. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. 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.

Event Leader: Tommy Young
Event Leader Phone: 941-780-4156
Event Leader Email: youngtry@gmail.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Urban
Departure Location: Blanton RidgeTrail Head Parking Lot
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles:
Season: 2024
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: personal first aid, weather appropriate clothing, water , snacks
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 8.5
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 1740
Non-Member Fees: 2
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

August 6th was Tommy’s 79th birthday and his 134th lead of the Tuesday early morning Blanton/Spencer Butte hike. To celebrate, we gathered after the hike at 10:30 at the picnic tables in the shade at the Blanton Trailhead. The decorated tables were laden with birthday offerings of figs, plums, blueberries along with marionberry scones, chocolate zucchini bread and coffee. Tommy was surprised to see a few Obsidian friends not on the hike walk up from the parking lot to join the party. He said “ What a great idea to have the party at the trailhead. Everybody loved it.”

Tommy started the early morning Blanton hikes in August 2020 to share the dramatic sunrise over the Blanton ridge. If the weather cooperates with the departure time, the sunrise is a gift for early risers. Our thanks to Tommy !