The Obsidians

Three Mile Lake
2023-08-27
This trail has it all, sand, dunes, forest and beach. We start in the forest, then hike out to the beach crossing the dunes. We are on the beach for about a mile before crossing back over the deflation plane back on to the sand and up the dunes to a view of Three Mile Lake. Lunch probably around the lake view. After that it is a hike back throug the woods to the car. We may consider a stop in Old Town for coffee or ice cream what ever is needed.

Row River
2023-08-27
We will bike whole length of Row River Trail, starting from Bohemia Park in Cottage Grove, along Dorena Lake to the Culp Creek and back. Good bike path with no traffic. Will stop few times for snack and rest.
Optional / swimming opportunity.
>>>> Due to bad air quality Row River bike ride is CANCELLED.

Trinity Alps PCT Bkpk
2023-08-27 00:00 - 2023-08-29 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Come hike a spectacular section the Pacific Crest Trail as it travels along the crest of the Trinity Alps. Sunday depart Eugene south to Callahan CA (approx 4.5 hrs) where we’ll drop a shuttle at Scott Mtn Pass and then drive 20 mi to the start at Cascade Meadows Summit. Hike east/southbound PCT to camp on the Scott Mtn crest 3mi 1,000’. Monday drift Sobo following the crest carried by continuous impressive views of the Trinity Alps and Mt Shasta. Camp Upper Boulder Lk 9mi 1,500’. Tuesday finish along crest following PCT to Scott Mt TH 8mi. 500’, collect shuttle car and return to Eugene.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-08-29
Sunset is 7:53 and moonrise is 7:42. Probably both events will happen around the same time as the moon rises above the foothills. Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions or if you have never hiked Mt. Pisgah. 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. Please have a headlamp or flashlight. The full supermoon is the next evening but I changed the date to the 29th to not conflict with Obsidian Trail Maintenance.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-08-29, 2023-09-05, 2023-09-12
We will start on time at 6:45am. 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.

Canada Thistle Management
2023-08-30
For this outing we’ll be removing the seed-heads from Canada Thistle in the Junction Meadow. We will also pick up litter and clean the trailhead.
Meet at the main Spencer Butte Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette. Work party goes from 5:30-8 pm.

Evening Hike Spring to Hendricks
2023-08-30

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-08-30
TRAIL WORK IS DONE!! STARTING FROM MARTIN STREET AGAIN
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00.
Every Wednesday since 2013 we do this hike from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. Compared to starting at the paved Spencer Butte parking lot, this hike has double the climbing and three times the distance. It is a conditioning hike where everyone is challenging themselves to go at a moderate or fast pace—not like the other hikes on our schedule. If this is your first time on this Obsidian conditioning hike, or hiking to Spencer Butte, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. If you should fall too far behind, the leaders reserve the right to have you not summit but wait and return with the group. The regulars on this hike have attained their fitness by showing up consistently and slowly improving. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. To get to the trailhead: Take West Amazon to Martin Street. Turn left. Drive past Kinney Park and park Martin Street near the Kiosk sign board across from Canyon Drive Street sign with hiker symbol. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.

Women’s Kayaking Trip
2023-08-30 00:00 - 2023-09-01 23:59
Three days kayaking or canoeing in Central Oregon. Tentative schedule will include Sparks Lake, Hosmer Lake and the Deschutes River (a slow, easy, stretch of moving water). We will be staying at La Pine State Park with the option of staying in a cabin (2 persons per cabin) or sleeping in a tent (one tent per cabin site)
Estimated cost is $60 per person for those in cabins and $45 for those choosing a tent. We will adjust costs based on the final number of participants- payable on the day of the trip
Meetup/Departure Location: Albertsons on 30th -N side of parking lot

Evening Hike Spring to Hendricks
2023-08-31
Meet at the trailhead at 30th and Spring. We leave promptly at 6:15, please arrive by 6:10.
If you don’t know where this is, please call me.
Easy evening hike into Hendricks and around the park and back again.

Work Party Lodge and Grounds
2023-08-31
Lodge Rentals are picking up. We have 4 days of rentals coming up in September. It’s time to catch up on a number of things inside and out. We will work from 9 to noon. If you feel like bringing snacks for the 10:30 break nobody will stop you.
Looks like most our work will be outside. Weeding, mowing. pruning,etc. Also need to sort out exterior paint and stain.

Collard & Clear, hike & swim
2023-09-02
Obsidians hike and swim event. This end of the summer adventure will happen few miles north of Florence.

Finley—Woodpecker & Mill Hill
2023-09-02
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the east side near the main entrance and Hwy 99. We will carpool from there. Our route will be 99W > W on Dawson Road > N on Bellfountain Road > Finley Refuge Road (gravel) to the Woodpecker Loop parking area. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead.
This is a nature-viewing hike on the forested west side on the FInley National Wildlife Refuge.
We will begin hiking on the Woodpecker Loop going counter-clockwise. Within the first 20 minutes we will pass through an oak savanna where we hope to see views of the Three Sisters in the distance. Hopefully a few maples will be turning colors in the trail. At the Inter-tie Trail we head south passing the park headquarters to the Mill Hill Trail where we will go counter-clockwise around the loop, returning again past the park headquarters. We will rest a bit at the HQ, visit the park store and enjoy the interpretive displays there. We will wrap-up the hikes by taking the Inter-tie trail back to the Woodpecker Loop Trailhead.
Lunch will be somewhere on the trail. Dress for the weather. We plan to return to the Jerry’s parking lot between 3pm and 4pm. The trip leader has been on about half of this trail, not the Mill Hill Loop.

AmzHeadwaters 18th Anniversary
2023-09-03
Optional to hike to Mt. Baldy. We will meet at the usual place by the kiosk on Martin Street.
On Labor Day September 5, 2005, 22 Obsidians/guests hiked the new Amazon Headwaters Trail that opened September 3rd. Back then the first bridge was not built so we started at the end of Martin St/ West Amazon and crossed a creek to get back to the regular trail. We will duplicate most of that route but without a creek crossing. The trail cost $140,000 to construct with $50,000 coming from the state’s Recreational Trails Program. In 1999 the City with help of Lane County Audubon Society purchased a 13 acre track of land from Martin and Leslie Beverly for $180,000. Lots of history! Last month the city replaced three bridges /boardwalks. Once we reach Fox Hollow Trailhead, you can hike back the way we came or hike over to Dillard/Baldy on the connecting trail dedicated 11/13/2014.
Some History Below:
Amazon Headwaters/Ridgeline Trail
Mon, September 5, 2005
Leader: Janet Jacobsen
Hike 3 miles 430 ft. (Easy)
It was Labor Day and 22 people signed up to hike the new Amazon Headwaters Trail, which officially opened September 3rd. I passed out chocolate to celebrate to celebrate my leading 50 trips. From the gate at the end of West Amazon and Martin Street, we walked up an old road, turned east, hopped over a few rocks in the creek bed and eventually intersected the powerline road. There was a discussion about the progress of the development of the Amazon Headwaters. After a short downhill stretch, we found the new Amazon Headwaters Trail on our right. We continued on the mile long trail with a 430 feet elevation gain to the Fox Hollow Parking Lot. It is a beautiful forested trail with two new bridges and several boardwalks. Half of us retraced our old trips while the rest went with John to explore one of the old trails down to the powerline road. Until a bridge is built over Amazon creek allowing access to the trail from Canyon Road and Martin St., the powerline road is the best way to access the new trail. I have been told that the trail will be open to mountain bikes. This is unfortunate since they will tear up the trail in wet conditions. A new member, Julia Snell, who is 85 years old was pleased to be on the hike. There were four nonmembers from other hiking clubs. It was exciting to be on a new trail and with so many appreciative hikers. Thanks to John Jacobsen who helped co-lead this holiday hike. Participants were Mari Baldwin, Pat Bitner, Jean Coberly, Jim Duncan, Sharon Duncan, Caroline Forell, Jane Hackett, Marc Hansen, Dick Hildreth, Sam Houston, Janet Jacobsen (leader), John Jacobsen, Kitty Johnson, Joy Norman, Ardas Khalsa, Gurumukh Khalsa, Joanne Ledet, Mary Livingston, Ray Noonan, Margaret Prentice, Anne Rhondes, Kathy Riddle and Julia Snell.

Willow Creek Preserve Loop
2023-09-04
Willow Creek’s native grasslands, ash woodlands and perennial streams provide the best remaining example of native wet prairie habitats in the southern Willamette Valley. The property is managed by the Nature Conservancy. More than 200 native plant, 100 bird and 25 butterfly species have been recorded on the preserve. This biome once occupied much of the Willamette Valley, but today has been reduced it to only a few remnant patches. In the winter and spring the ground is a bog, but dries as hard as rock in summer and fall. Trails are faint to non-existent here so we will need to tred lightly stayign to the edges of fields; this trip is exploratory for the hike leader. We will go in a big loop starting and ending on 18th Avenue and should be finished by 11am. This hike is exploratory for the trip leader.
Directions:
– Travel west on 18th Avenue through the Bailey Hill Road traffic lights.
– Continue past the Bertelsen Road stop sign for 0.3 miles.
– Park on the right side of the road, adjacent to where the east fork of the Willow Creek River flows under West 18th Avenue. The preserve is on your left, to the south.

Rock Gym to Outside Climbing Skills
2023-09-05
This is a multi-day class on skills needed to transition from climbing in a rock gym to climbing outside. The participants will learn the gear, skills, etiquette, etc. for climbing outside. These include how to build a top rope anchor, cleaning an anchor, and more. The classroom portion of the class will be held in the evening on Tues Sept 5, at the Skinner Butte columns on the evening of Friday Sept 8 and then a field day on Sat, Sept 9 at the Flagstone climbing area up the McKenzie River (or another outdoor climbing location).

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-09-06, 2023-09-13
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00.
Every Wednesday since 2013 we do this hike from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. Compared to starting at the paved Spencer Butte parking lot, this hike has double the climbing and three times the distance. It is a conditioning hike where everyone is challenging themselves to go at a moderate or fast pace—not like the other hikes on our schedule. If this is your first time on this Obsidian conditioning hike, or hiking to Spencer Butte, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. If you should fall too far behind, the leaders reserve the right to have you not summit but wait and return with the group. The regulars on this hike have attained their fitness by showing up consistently and slowly improving. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. To get to the trailhead: Take West Amazon to Martin Street. Turn left. Drive past Kinney Park and park Martin Street near the Kiosk sign board across from Canyon Drive Street sign with hiker symbol. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.

Love A Lake Stewardship hike to Rosary Lakes
2023-09-07
The Love A Lake program offered by the Cascade Volunteers and the National Forest involves people or organizations adopting a lake in the Willamette National Forest. The adopted lake is visited several times a year to clean around campsites and remove fire rings that are too close to the lake. This Obsidian stewardship event to the Rosary Lakes will do just that. Being a hiking club what better way to help preserve our pristine lakes. We begin by following the PCT for 3 miles at a moderate pace from hwy 58 up to Middle Rosary Lake for lunch and a view of Pulpit rock. On the way back we stop at each campsite as we go fanning out to check for trash. We can split into several groups to check Shorelines for cans and fishing gear. The pace will be relaxed with stops at campsites. The elevation gain is gradual over 3 miles. Meetup/Departure Location: Hilyard Community center

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-09-08
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 trail #2 and 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.
We will hike to the summit on trails #2, 4, 3 and then #1 and returning on trail #6. Good conditioning hike. Optional brunch/lunch following hike.

Finley: Cabel Marsh & Boardwalk
2023-09-09
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the east side near the main entrance and Hwy 99. Here are coordinates: 44.09857, -123.16836 . We will carpool from there. Our route will be 99W > W of Finley Road (Gravel) > making a bathroom stop at Turtle Flats then a quarter of a mile to the Campbell Overlook Trail/Campbell Boardwalk parking area.
This is nature-viewing hike to looking for eagles, osprey and other wildlife on the northern marsh of the FInley National Wildlife Refuge.
We will begin hiking on trail to the Cabell Marsh lookingfor eagles, osprey, and other raptors. We will walking to the south side where we will turn around. On the return walk we will visit the Homer Campbell Boardwalk where many of the trees provide canopy for songbirds and other animals. The area will likely be very dry, and water levels might be low.
Lunch will be somewhere on the trail. Dress for the weather. We plan to return to the Jerry’s parking lot between 3pm and 4pm, if not earlier.

Elkton Plants & Butterflies hike
2023-09-09
Explora hike will start at Elkton City Park. Travel along the Umqua river on city sidewalks west to Carol Beckley native plant park trail to the Monarch Butterfly pavilion. Enjoy a short self guided tour of the butterflies and then continue a short hike to Fort Umqua. Return on same route to Elkton. After the hike if desired we can walk to Arlene’s Cafe for lunch or ice cream.

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2023-09-10
Meet at the Obsidian Lodge to start the hike on the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park and back. This is an opportunity to find out about the Obsidians, get acquainted with members, and visit our lodge. This hike through the woods has a few short bursts of steep up and down hill. We will be done around noon. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions.
Drive past the Laurelwood Golf Course up 27th St then at the top of the hill turn right onto Spring Blvd, a one lane road. When Spring Blvd ends at a T intersection, turn left and immediately look for the Obsidians sign and driveway on your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. The Lodge is hard to find so if you want to view the map, go to the Obsidian home page. http://obsidians.org/lodgemap.htm

Paulina Lake Car Camp
2023-09-11 00:00 - 2023-09-14 23:59
This is a 3-night camping trip to Paulina Lake which is located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument 25 miles south of Bend. We will be camping at Newberry Group Site, Loop B, which is located along the south shore of Paulina Lake. Group site has potable water, vault toilets, fire pit, wooden picnic tables, and a group gathering area. There is plenty of flat space for dispersed tent camping. RVs will camp in our private, paved parking area. Please try to carpool as our reservation is limited to 12 vehicles. PLEASE SCROLL THROUGH THE ENTIRE TRIP DESCRIPTION.
Monday, Sept 11:
Arrive at Newberry Group Campground, Loop B, Deschutes National Forest on your own schedule; 2 pm is the earliest time to check-in, but you can arrive that evening depending on your schedule. Optional activities for the afternoon: bird watching, boating, paddle boarding, swimming, exploring Newberry Crater or hanging out at camp. Note: Paulina Lake Road is steep if you are towing a trailer, but paved the entire way.
Tuesday, Sept 12:
Those interested will hike the 7 mile Paulina Lakeshore loop trail with an Elevation Range of 6330 – 6560 feet. Elevation Change of 230 feet. The trail goes all the way around Paulina Lake and can be accessed from camp. Bird watchers may catch a glimpse of bald eagles and osprey. Those who prefer a shorter hike may opt for a 2 mile trail along the lakeshore to Paulina Lake Resort. Optional activities include driving or hiking to the summit of nearby Paulina Peak and exploring the surrounding area.
Wednesday, Sept 13:
An additional day at the lake for boating, swimming, exploring Newberry Crater or hanging out at camp. Optional activities include driving approx 25 miles north to Lava Lands Visitor Center near Bend which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs or visit Lava River Cave. At a length of 5,211 ft., the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. Bring flashlights for a self-guided exploration of the lava tube.
Thursday, Sept 14:
No planned activities. Check-out by noon.
Cost $26 members (covers 3 nights in the group camp and firewood). Non-refundable.
To secure a place on this trip, sign up online, then send your full payment (payable to Valerie Metcalfe) within 5 days to Valerie Metcalfe. Address can be found in the Obsidian Membership Directory in the Members Area on the website. Email: metcalfev@gmail.com
Meetup/Departure Location: Meet at Newberry Group Camp, Paulina Lake

Fuji Mountain
2023-09-12
We begin our hike off of the Waldo Lake Rd. ascending 3 miles to Birthday Lake for a snack and water break. From Birthday Lake we continue 3 miles upwards to Fuji Mt to take in views of Waldo Lake and the surrounding Cascade mountains. The hike will be especially interesting because we will be able to see the results of last falls Cedar Creek fire that burned to the Waldo Shoreline. On the return trip a stop at Verde Lake will provide a drink and rest stop. If weather is poor and visibility minimal there is an option of not climbing Fuji but instead we can follow the South Waldo trail to Upper Island lake for lunch and continue south to the Mt Ray Trail and back on the Gold Lake Trail. The distance for this alternative is 11 miles. The trip is listed as difficult due to the mileage and elevation gain. However, the pace will be relaxed and moderate with stops. For those able to go the distance but do not want to do a fast paced hike, this hike is for you.

GameNight!
2023-09-14
Come join us for an evening of games at the Lodge from 4:30 – 7:30 pm. By signing up, you’ll help us have an idea of about how many to expect, but you’re very welcome to show up any time throughout the evening, even if you don’t sign up. (No trip credit earned for this event)

Mount Hubris- Castle Crags
2023-09-15 00:00 - 2023-09-16 23:59
The climb up Mt Hubris is a multi-pitch rock climb (rated 5.6) on beautiful granite. We will be rising early for the steep approach then reaching the summit in the early afternoon. To get off the mountain we will do two rappels, then hike back out and drive home.

Finley:PigeonButte/CheadleMarsh
2023-09-17
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the east side near the main entrance and Hwy 99. We will carpool from there. Our route will be 99W > W on Bruce Road (Gravel) > making a bathroom stop at the McFadden Marsh parking area, then a quarter of a mile to the Pigeon Butte parking area.
This is nature-viewing hike to the highest point on the refuge for great views of the Willamette Valley. Look for band-tailed pigeons and songbirds on this part of the trail. On our return hike, we pass over to the the Cheadle Marsh Trail to observe a wetland. Look for Great Blue Herons, also observe any wetlands plants that have been influenced by the autumn water level.
Lunch will be somewhere on the trail. Dress for the weather. We plan to return to the Jerry’s parking lot between 3pm and 4pm.
