Calendar

Past Activity

Obsidian Loop

  • Start date: 08/21/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 08/21/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

NOTE:
1. meeting location is Campbell Community Center
2. $10 special entrance fee to be divided among participants so expect a $1 fee
3. NW Pass required for parking at trailhead, so if you have signed up as a possible driver and do not have one, let me know so I can inquire with other participants to make sure we have enough passes to cover cars parking.

If you have not hiked this trail, don't be scared off by the rating; the trail is good and elevation spread out ,so it is pretty easy to complete as long as one has the endurance for the mileage. Pace will be moderate, adjusted to the group. Wildflowers are usually a delight on this hike, as is one's proximity to North and Middle Sister. We will take lunch in the meadow above Obsidian Falls, where one can watch fresh spring water bubbling up out of the ground.

  • Event Leader: Elizabeth Grant

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-514-1176

  • Event Leader Email: beeegrant@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Campbell Community Ctr,west parking lot(Cheshire Ave)

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 144

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: 10 Essentials, bug repellent, sun screen, lunch, snacks, water and good hiking shoes.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 12

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1800

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Unfortunately we had smoke cover in Eugene and the mountains for several days around this hike. A number of people understandably cancelled because of health concerns and although we left town with 5, when we stopped at the McKenzie Ranger Station on the way up, 2 more hikers opted to return to Eugene. 3 of us continued and were delighted to find the air clearer at the pass. There was a good breeze which kept the air fairly clear and cooled us as well.

We had the trail nearly to ourselves except for a few PCT through hikers. Wildflowers were minimal compared to previous years in August, likely due to dry conditions and earlier warming. We enjoyed lunch atop Obsidian Falls and explored "Sister Spring" seeping out of the cliff and bubbling up from the ground on the east side of the meadow. North and Middle Sister were as close as ever, but the views were hazy. Sparkling obsidian chips cover the group in this area. Bill Sullivan reminds us that this black glass forms when lava oozes to the surface without contacting water.

A good work-out with enjoyable conversation.