Name: Obsidian Grand Tour
Start: 2026-06-30T07:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-06-30T20:00:00-07:00

Past Activity

Obsidian Grand Tour

Start date: 06/30/2026
Start time: 7:00 AM
End date: 06/30/2026
End time: 8:00 PM

Description:

I call this hike The Obsidian Grand Tour as it encompasses a large area of diverse terrain and viewpoints near the North Sister. We'll start at the Obsidian trailhead and cut over to Scott trail. Our first stop will be at Four-in-one Cone, and then we'll connect to the PCT and head south past Minnie Scott Springs to another great viewpoint overlooking Collier Glacier. From there we'll continue down Opie Dilldock Pass and the Obsidian Cliffs, where we'll leave the trail to scramble up to Arrowhead Lake for a refreshing swim and lunch. We'll then continue past Sister Springs and Obsidian Falls and back to our trailhead on the Obsidian Loop Trail. This is an all-day adventure, so don't expect to get back home early. Some of us will be stopping at Takoda's restaurant after the hike.
*PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A $1 PER PERSON CHARGE FOR THE WILDERNESS PERMIT.*

Photo by: Steve Johnson

Event Leader: Steven Johnson
Event Leader Phone: +15415202470
Event Leader Email: stevenj7675@gmail.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category:
Area Type: Mountain
Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield
Rating: Difficult
Roundtrip total drive miles: 130
Season: 2026
Permits Required:
- Wilderness Area
- NW Forest Pass
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Lunch, water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and ten essentials.
participant prerequisites: Be in good shape
Conditions:
Total Distance: 18.5
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 2000
Non-Member Fees: 8
Committee: —
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Once again I was able to convince other Obsidians to join me on this epic 19-mile trek through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Cascades. We stood on the top of Four-in-One Cone, trudged up to the Collier Glacier viewpoint, zigzagged down Opie Dilldock Pass, saw a marmot at Sawyer's Bar, clambered up a scree slope to Arrowhead Lake, then went down another scree slope to see Obsidian Falls. The weather was too cold for our traditional swim in Arrowhead Lake, but cool enough to keep hikers moving at a brisk pace. We were able to complete the hike in 9 ½ hours.