The Obsidians

Mt. Pisgah Sunset/Autumn Equinox
2023-09-22
This is the First day of Autumn and sunset is at 7:09. Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. The current plan is to take 17, 7, 4 and 1 with an optional shorter route of #7 and #3 to the main trail. The moonrise is 3:17 pm so we will head down as soon as the sun sets. Call me if you have questions, have never hiked Mt. Pisgah or need to start earlier. If you don’t have a Lane County pass allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead.
Yellow jackets have been a nuisance on the summit.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-09-22
To get to the east trailhead head drive toward Pleasant Hill on hwy 58. Turn left at the 76 station on to Ridgeway Rd. The parking area is 1.7 miles down this road. We will hike to the summit on trails #2, 4 and 1, then return using trail #6. The parking lot is small but vehicles sometimes park on the road if there isn’t room. You need a Lane County pass to park but not if you park on the road. Remove any valuables from your vehicle. There is a porta potty at the trailhead.

Finley: Snag Boat Bend Loop
2023-09-22
Snag Boat Bend is a seperate unit of the much larger William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge located a few miles west. A centerpiece of ths property is an old meander of the Willamette River, an oxbow lake. Our 3-4 mile hike will make a loosely-shaped figure eight. During our return, if possible, we will cross a low causeway across Lake Creek back to the main trail. This can only be done during the driest times of the year.
There are reports of herons, osprey, warblers, and beaver in the area. Look for blackberry, cottonwood, alder, ash, and big-leaf maple. This hike is exploratory for the trip leader.
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the northeast side of the main parking area (close to where Theona Dr. meets Hwy 99). We will carpool from there. Our driving route will be 99N > Junction City > 99E through Harrisburg > N on Peoria Road to the Snag Boat Bend parking area. The drive to Snag Boat Bend will require about half an hour. We will visit the ‘Country Bakery’ on our drive up. Bring your lunch and dress for the weather. We should be returning to the Jerry’s parking area between 2 &3 pm.
