The Obsidians

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-11-07
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.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-11-08
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30. NOTE NEW START TIME
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.

Delta Ponds
2023-11-09
Trip description: From Owen Rose Garden (North end of Jefferson St.) we will walk at a moderate/brisk pace first along the river, then across Goodpasture Island Rd. to a partial loop around the ponds before returning. Most of the resident winter ducks should be present. The walk will “officially” end after the loop so people who want to dawdle and watch ducks can do so while those who just want to walk can head back to the cars. All paved or well-packed trail, no mud. Occasional restrooms.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-11-10
East Trailhead – from Eugene, drive east on Highway 58 towards Pleasant Hill. Turn left on Ridgeway Road at the 76 Station and drive 1.7 miles to the parking area on the left. The parking lot is small, but vehicles can also park on the main road if necessary. Lane County Parking Pass is required to park in the lot. 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

Veterans Day Hike
2023-11-11
We will continue the tradition of a Veterans Day hike started by the late Dave “The Griz” Lodeesen (1952-2021), who served in a helicopter squadron in Vietnam in 1971 and frequently wore a hat saying “Practice Peace.” He founded the hike in 2016 and led it for four years.
This walk will go by two memorials by Skinner Butte and along the Willamette up to Valley River and either across and back on the other side or straight back.
We welcome Veterans, and as our guests, Veterans will not be charged the guest fee. Please sign up using the Guest Registration feature in the Online Trip Signup link. Nobody should feel at all out of place.
Wear what you wish, and if you have a Griz story, that would be welcome. We will be done by 11:30, maybe earlier.
We will have this regardless of the weather, although the Griz once told me in writing that Wind+Rain=Misery.
Dorothy van Winkle is a co-leader for this.

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2023-11-11
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

Trestle Falls Loop
2023-11-12
With recent heavy rain, the Upper and Lower Trestle Falls should have high water flow. Autumn leaves may still be colorful. Lund Park Trailhead will be the starting point, hiking east on Brice Creek Trail to a junction with the Upper Trestle Loop. This has some steep ground and a couple challenging portions to get down and up past a root ball. The trail goes behind the upper falls and continues down the east side through more beautiful forest. Returning to Brice Creek Trail will take us to a turn off for Lower Brice Creek Falls, then back to our trailhead on Brice Creek. Snack breaks and lunch breaks will be taken along the way.
**Meet at LCC at 8:30, then drive to Walmart in Cottage Grove where I will meet you and we’ll continue to the trailhead.

Eugene Mural Meander
2023-11-12
This is a meandering walk through Eugene’s downtown to check on current/new murals and street art pieces.
Plan to walk 3 miles in total and up about 7 flights of stairs. Our zone for walking will include the area around Willamette Street from the 5th Market area and the bus station. We should finish our walk about 2:30pm.
Our walk BEGINS inside the 5th St. Market, meet at the fountain on the lower courtyard. (5th St & High).
Our walk will END just across the street on Market Alley (5th & Pearl).
Restrooms are available at the beginning and end of the walk, and if needed a restroom at the bus station which is half-way in the walk.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-11-14, 2023-11-28
Please be at the trailhead by 7:00am. 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.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-11-15
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30.
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.

Potluck/ExploraTalk-Marli Miller: Geology Roadside view of OR & WA
2023-11-17
Assembling the Northwest: A roadside view of Oregon and Washington’s geology
With its spectacular mountain ranges, lush valleys and tumbling rivers, the Northwest landscape attracts nature lovers and travelers from around the world. But the rain-soaked coast range, snow-covered volcanoes and expansive high desert didn’t appear overnight. They formed through a variety of geologic processes over millions of years.
On November 17, geologist and photographer Marli Miller will outline the geology of Oregon and Washington as seen along our federal and state highways. Beginning with our plate tectonic setting, she will describe the process of continental growth that forms the underlying but diverse basement of the region, followed by a photographic “roadtrip” up the Columbia Gorge to illustrate younger features. You will leave the Lodge eager for your next road trip!
Miller is the author of Roadside Geology of Oregon, 2nd Edition, Roadside Geology of Washington, 2nd Edition, which she wrote with Darrel Cowan of the University of Washington, and most recently Oregon Rocks! A Guide to 60 Amazing Geologic Sites. She is a Senior Instructor II in the Dept. of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon. Copies of her books will be available at the event.
You do not need to be an Obsidian member to attend. All are welcome! Signing up here is not necessary, but it is helpful.

Marli Miller talks Geology - an ExploraTalk / Potluck presentation
2023-11-17
Marli Miller is a senior instructor at UO in the Dept. of Earth Sciences. She always makes the science of geology understandable and fascinating as she did when she spoke at the Lodge most recently. Her 2021 book, “Oregon Rocks!’, describes Oregon’s wonderful geology. Since then, her online posts with photos demonstrate what a poetic and accomplished writer and photographer she is. Join us for the potluck at 6:30 PM and/or come to hear and see her presentation at 7:30 PM, as she will unearth our NW land features in a compelling way. You will leave the Lodge eager for your next road trip!
Social time starts at 6:05 PM; Potluck at 6:30 PM; Presentation at 7:30 PM. You do not need to be an Obsidian member to attend. All are welcome! If you want to attend just the presentation, please arrive just before 7:30 PM. (Visit Potluck & Entertainment page for more information about the potluck portion.)

Alton Baker Park
2023-11-17
We will meet near the bathrooms in the large parking lot. Take Day Island Road from Club Road–it passes under Ferry Street Bridge–to arrive at the parking lot. We will make a loop within the park for a casual walk. We will have lots of options to do what the group wants.

Assembling the NW: A roadside view of OR and WA Geology - Marli Miller (ExploraTalk / Potluck & Presentation)
2023-11-17 18:05 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is an ExploraTalk presentation: Marli Miller is a senior instructor at UO in the Dept. of Earth Sciences. She always makes the science of geology understandable and fascinating as she did when she spoke at the Lodge most recently. Her 2021 book, “Oregon Rocks!’, describes Oregon’s wonderful geology. Since then, her online posts with photos demonstrate what a poetic and accomplished writer and photographer she is. Join us for the potluck at 6:30 PM and/or come to hear and see her presentation at 7:30 PM as she will unearth our NW land features in a compelling way. You will leave the Lodge eager for your next road trip!

Pisgah Long Route w/Options
2023-11-19
Meeting place: Mt. Pisgah, West (main) Trailhead, by the bathrooms. If you don’t have a Lane County pass, be sure to allow time to purchase one with a Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the fee box by the upper trailhead.
We will follow the Incense Cedar Trail and Trails 5, 56 and 6 to the summit, where we will gather for water and a snack. (At this point, those who prefer a shorter hike can return from the summit directly via main Trail 1, a total of about 5 miles and 2-2.5 hours.) To complete the long route, we will descend Trail 2, then follow Trails 4 and 3 around Swing Hill to the North Trailhead, and finally return to the West Trailhead along the river trail. It will probably take about 4 hours to hike the entire 9.4 miles. We can adjust the route if the weather is poor.

Mt Pisgah 5 miler
2023-11-20
Mt Pisgah, west (main) trailhead by the restrooms. If you don’t have a Lane County pass, be sure to allow time to purchase one with debit/credit card (no cash) at the fee box near the main (trail #1) trailhead.
On this out and back trip we will hike north and clockwise around swing hill following trails 17, 7, and 3. We will continue north-east through the forest on trail 4 crossing to trail 1 via the 14 connector to the summit spending time to enjoy the view, snacks and hydrate. The route is roughly 5 miles out and back and should take 2-2.5 hours. Elevation gain is about 1100 feet.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-11-21
Please be at the trailhead by 7:00 am. 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.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-11-22, 2023-11-29
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30
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.

Turkey Trimming
2023-11-23
This is the 11th annual Turkey Trimming hike; get some exercise before ingesting a lot of calories! This year’s route: from Martin St., stay on West Amazon to Owl St. to the Ridgeline Trail. Continue the loop by returning through the neighborhoods, including seeing the new water towers. There are some short, but steep huffy-puffy hills. When you sign up for Obsidian trips, you’re making a commitment to show up unless there is an emergency. If you’re not sure about making that commitment, please don’t sign up!

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-11-24
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 an #4 and #1. Then return using trails #6 and #3.. 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.

Walk off the Fat
2023-11-24
Meet at the Hendricks Park shelter near Summit and Floral Hill. At a moderate pace we will take the long way to Alton Baker Park, along the canoe trail and past Autzen Stadium where revelry may already be happening, then loop back along the river. Anyone who doesn’t need to walk off any fat is welcome to return by a shorter route. Or walk slower. All paved or well packed trail. Restrooms along the way.
OK to sign up and show up at the last minute.

Main Trailhead Planting
2023-11-25
Join us for our last scheduled outing of 2023! For this outing we will plant shrubs, trees, and ferns in areas the City has been controlling blackberries around the trailhead.
Meet at the main Spencer Butte Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette. Work party goes from 9-12 am.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-11-26
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box.. Moonrise is 4:00 and sunset is 4:37. (Full Moon is Monday) We will take Trails 7,3 and 1 (main trail). 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.

Cummins Creek Loop/King Tide
2023-11-26
The plan is to drive to Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Center, noting the high tide on the way up the coast (peaks at 0958 but not much different for 15-30 minutes on either side).
We will then go back to the VS and hike the Cook’s Ridge Trail up to where it joins the Cummins Creek Trail and then come back down the latter. We will be able to see a fairly sharp cut off between the Sitka zone and the Douglas fir zone. We will have lunch somewhere along the trail. Low tide will not be seen, but we will see a fairly significant change by the time we leave.
Trail will likely be wet but no major stream crossings. Have adequate rain gear; poles and gloves are optional. This is a moderate hike on the basis of both distance and elevation gain. We are within 10 days of the earliest sunset of the year, so plan on leaving the Cape before 2:30, maybe sooner.

Ribbon to Moon
2023-11-30
Meet at the Ribbon Trailhead, Spring St. at 30th (north side of the overpass at 30th, on street parking), at 8:30. There are several routes to access Bloomberg Park, Black Oak Basin, Coryell Ridge, and Moon Mountain. If the weather cooperates, we may take up to three hours walking the various options and will be finished well before lunch. Trails are rough and unimproved with unavoidable muddy sections. No restrooms.

Mt Pisgah 6 miler
2023-12-01
Meeting place; Mt Pisgah, west (main) trailhead by the restrooms. If you don’t have a Lane County pass, be sure to allow time to purchase one with debit/credit card (no cash) at the fee box near the main (trail #1) trailhead.
On this out and back trip we will hike north and clockwise around swing hill following trails 17, 7, and 3. We will continue north-east through the forest on trail 4 crossing to trail 1 via the 14 connector to the summit spending time to enjoy the view, snacks and hydrate. The route is roughly 6.3 miles out and back and should take 2-2.5 hours. Elevation gain is about 1500 feet.

Dan’s Trail to Dimple Hill
2023-12-02
NOTE: Change of plans due to weather, we’re now going to Dan’s Trail, Chip Ross Park to Dimple Hill. It will still be raining, but we might catch a break for a few hours. Come prepared for it. Also – departure time is now 9:00 am from Jerry’s.
Meet at Jerry’s on hwy 99, northeast corner of the parking lot. Please arrive by 8:50 am so we can coordinate carpools.
We need drivers, please indicate how many you can take below .
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/dans-trail-chip-ross-park-to-dimple-hill?sh=fsktyc

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-12-05
Please be at the trailhead by 6:45 am. We will start on time at 7:00 am. 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.
