The Obsidians

Silver Falls
2021-05-03
The departure place for this hike is the parking lot just south of the fuel station at the Springfield Fred Meyer. This is a two part hike so please read the entire description. We’ll start our hike from the South Falls day use area and from there we’ll hike the entire 10 falls trail including side trips to see Winter Falls and Upper North Falls. For the second part of our trip we’ll drive another 30 miles to the trailhead for Abiqua Falls just outside of Scotts Mills Oregon. Depending on road conditions and weather the hike to Abiqua Falls can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Abiqua Falls is one of Oregon’s most beautiful falls however it’s on private property and the hike to it is an unmaintained scramble down a steep hillside. Please note that I’m rating this second half of our day “DIFFICULT”. You’re welcome to just do the moderate hike on the Silver Falls loop and skip the Abiqua Falls hike however arranging transportation will be up to you. After our hike to Abiqua Falls we’ll head to Silverton for dinner before driving home. We’ll meet at the Springfield Fred Meyer just south of the gas station. Note that there is a $5 per vehicle charge for parking at Silver Falls State Park.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-05-04, 2021-05-11, 2021-05-18
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.
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 trial head is on your left in about ½ mile.
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.

Hendricks Park
2021-05-04
While it’s true that there is always something in bloom at Hendricks Park, this time of year the gardens look positively tropical. There are so many colors of rhodies and perhaps some magcificent magnolias. We’ll meander, so feel free to bring your camera. At this moment (4/27) there is a HUGE dogwood in bloom that looks like a snow-covered mountain.
I’ll be having lunch at the shelter at 12:00 if anyone wants to join me.
The forest and its wildflowers beckon if anyone wants to add some milage at the end of the walk. Meetup/Departure Location: Wilkens Shelter

52nd Street/Spencer Butte
2021-05-05
Happy Cinco de Mayo! (please forgive any perception of cultural appropriation)… NOTE STRT Time is being changed fo 9 AM. Also my offerings of this hike will in the future be on Thursdays.–Joanna
For several years we’ve done a conditioning hike on Wednesdays from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. In 2020 we used this route while work was being done on the trail near Fox Hollow. This route is a mile shorter with 400′ less elevation gain.
If the parking lot is full, park on 52nd street on the other side of Willamette Street.
Social distancing will be maintained. Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols.
If you meet someone going your way, MASK UP, excuse yourself and pass. If someone is coming the other way, MASK UP and if that person doesn’t get over, step aside and face away. If you are following within 8 feet of another person, you should mask up. You are in their slipstream. People can change their pace and suddenly you’re too close. PLEASE DO THIS.
If you can’t see up the trail far enough to have time to put on your covering, leave it on. Make sure you can quickly put on your face covering. Don’t congregate when you meet someone on the trail or on the summit. Maintain face coverings or stay 6 feet apart.
If you don’t feel well, please don’t come. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-05-05
Update for today: Leader will be at the trailhead at 8:00am to get the early birds started, and will then wait for the remaining participants to arrive. The latest departure time is 8:30am.
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15-8:30. Every Wednesday 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. It is a great way to get and stay in shape. If this is your first time on this Obsidian hike and/or if this is the first time you have hiked up Spencer Butte from the lowest elevation, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. Registered guests are welcome. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. (Please scroll down to read all of this trip description.)
Social distancing will be maintained. Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols.
If you meet someone going your way, MASK UP, excuse yourself and pass. If someone is coming the other way, MASK UP and if that person doesn’t get over, step aside and face away. If you are following within 8 feet of another person, you should mask up. You are in their slipstream. People can change their pace and suddenly you’re too close. PLEASE DO THIS.
If you can’t see up the trail far enough to have time to put on your covering, leave it on. Make sure you can quickly put on your face covering. Don’t congregate when you meet someone on the trail or on the summit. Maintain face coverings or stay 6 feet apart.
If you don’t feel well, please don’t come. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group.
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 call the leader if any questions.

Finley Wildlife Refuge
2021-05-05
It’s a little late in the season but we will e looking for birds. We will stop at 2 binds and do a 5 mile from the headquarters We will stop at headquarters to use bathrooms and check out feeders. Depending on timing we may have lunch there.
This trip is moved to Sunday May the 30th, per leader.

Castle Rock via King Castle Trail
2021-05-07
This hike climbs to the site of an old lookout (now replaced by a cell phone relay) with a nice view of the McKenzie Valley, the Old Cascades, Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters. The well-graded trail passes through a pleasant forest of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock, with a sprinkling of wildflowers. After 4 miles, the trail crosses a road, then switchbacks up a forested slope to the ridgetop and rocky summit. Weather permitting, we will have good views and a long lunch. We will proceed at a steady, relaxed pace and pause periodically to keep the group together. Everyone should be prepared for a full day with significant mileage and elevation gain. Bring plenty of water, lunch, and snacks. We will follow the usual COVID precautions. Be aware that the trail is shared with mountain bikers. We may encounter some delays on the drive up due to the ongoing tree removal work. There are no restrooms at the trailhead. If rain is definitely forecast, I may substitute a hike at Mt. Pisgah.

Santiam Wagon Rd/House Rock
2021-05-08
The historic Santiam Wagon was designed to lead settlers and their livestock eastward to the rich pasture lands of Central Oregon and to markets throughout eastern Oregon and Idaho. It became a major east-west byway through Cascades. This year I will lead some hikes on a trail that follows that path of this route. This first segment will be a short out and back hike between the trail’s western end and House Rock. Later this summer I’ll have other hikes taking us to Fish Lake, Tombstone Prairie, and more.
We’ll have plenty of time to look around the House Rock Cave and have lunch. Come prepared to enjoy this less traveled section of the trail. Meetup/Departure Location: ShopKo Coburg Rd/Chad Dr,(btwn ShopKo & Taco Bell)

Shotgun Creek Loop
2021-05-08
We will meet and park at the corner of 42nd and Marcola Rd in the parking lot of the Weyerhauser McKenzie Natural Area. From I-105 aka Hwy 126 take the 42nd street exit in Springfield (It is the exit past Mohawk Blvd). Turn left onto 42nd street. In about 1 mile the road ends and you will see the parking lot on your right. Look for the Willamalane sign.
This is a great loop through old growth forest and along shotgun creek.
There is a $3 per vehicle fee or free with a Golden Pass. There is a fee kiosk on site.

Santiam Wagon Rd/House Rock
2021-05-09
The historic Santiam Wagon was designed to lead settlers and their livestock eastward to the rich pasture lands of Central Oregon and to markets throughout eastern Oregon and Idaho. It became a major east-west byway through Cascades. This year I will lead some hikes on a trail that follows that path of this route. This first segment will be a short out and back hike between the trail’s western end and House Rock. Later this summer I’ll have other hikes taking us to Fish Lake, Tombstone Prairie, and more.
We’ll have plenty of time to look around the House Rock Cave and have lunch. Come prepared to enjoy this less traveled section of the trail. There are a couple minor creek crossings.
Meetup/Departure Location: ShopKo Coburg Rd/Chad Dr,(btwn ShopKo & Taco Bell)

Patterson Mountain
2021-05-09
With clear weather we could have good views of big mountains. Wild flowers should be in bloom. This is a good early season hike close to Eugene.. FYI, there is thinning going on in the area. I have run into downed logs across the road a couple of times. The alternate hike will be the north fork of the Williamette out of Westfir.

Three bridges Mother’s Day
2021-05-09
Easy spring ride on a Mother’s Day. We will see Lowell, Unity and Pengra covered bridges.
Two restrooms on our route.
➯ Masks are required while we are gathering. Refer to Obsidians website for full information. Participants will manage their own transportation.

Pisgah Native Plant Nursery
2021-05-10
Long time volunteer of Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah’s Native Plant Nursery, Dave Predeek will give a tour of the three acres nursery, see70 plus plants many of which will be in bloom and work in progress. There will be a short walk to see the original nursery and other and other plantings before we go to the nursery. Expect 2 – 2 1/2 hours. Meet at the North Trailhead: Turn left onto Frank Parrish Road after crossing the Coast Fork Willamette River. Drive 0.3 miles, and turn left into the large parking area. Back in 1997 botanist and Obsidian Dave Predeek joined the board of Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah and started looking around for a specific way of contributing. He didn’t have to look far before noticing that invasive plants, especially blackberries and Scotch broom, were taking over large areas of the park’s hillsides. The oak savanna habitat of the park, once common in the Willamette Valley, is now a rare and precious resource and Dave resolved to begin an effort to protect and restore it. He started the Monday Morning Regulars to remove blackberries and more.
Read more in the May 2005 Bulletin.

Blacklock Point
2021-05-11 00:00 - 2021-05-13 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Gr8 tune up 4 the summer…
Blacklock Point, located on the coast just north of Port Orford, offers breathtaking beauty. Base camp is close to the beach with dramatic cliffs, water falls, woods and pristine beaches. A small camp fire will be part of the trip
Backpack in 2.5 miles Tuesday. Day hike eight miles Wednesday. Pack out Thursday.
Meet at leaders house the morning of the trip. Address will be mailed to participants.
Some previous photos:
http://obsidians.org/photo/gallery?albumid=971
http://obsidians.org/photo/gallery?albumid=252

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-05-12
Every Wednesday 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. It is a great way to get and stay in shape. If this is your first time on this Obsidian hike and/or if this is the first time you have hiked up Spencer Butte from the lowest elevation, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. Registered guests are welcome. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. (Please scroll down to read all of this trip description.) Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group. 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 call the leader if any questions.

52nd Street/Spencer Butte
2021-05-13, 2021-05-20
NOW on THURSDAY For several years we’ve done a conditioning hike on Wednesdays from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. In 2020 we used this route while work was being done on the trail near Fox Hollow. This route is a mile shorter with 400′ less elevation gain.
If the parking lot is full, park on 52nd street on the other side of Willamette Street.
Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group.

Diamond Peak
2021-05-15

Sawtooth trail to Mt. Hardesty
2021-05-15
This is an out-and-back hike which meanders along a wooded ridge on the border of the Willamette and Umpqua National Forests. There are views along the trail near Sawtooth Rock, mainly to the south. The summit of Mt. Hardesty is overgrown with trees, but there are limited keyhole views of the Sisters. Although there is only about a 550 foot elevation gain between the lowest and highest points of the hike, there is a great deal of up-and-down which produces a cumulative elevation gain of about 2550 feet, making this hike more difficult than it first appears. We will begin our hike at Mt. June trail #1400, then continue east along Sawtooth trail #1401, bypassing the summit of Mt. June and passing Sawtooth Rock on our way to Hardesty trail #3459. We’ll hike to the summit of Hardesty Mountain, then return the way we came.
Note to drivers: the last 7 miles is gravel with potholes in places. It is navigable in a regular car, but requires careful weaving and slow driving.

South Sister
2021-05-15 00:00 - 2021-05-16 23:59
We will be climbing South Sister, Oregon’s third highest mountain, via the Devils Lake trailhead. The plan is to leave early Sat or Sun AM, depending on which day the weather looks better and climb and return in one day. Note that if the Cascade Lakes highway is not plowed by May 15th we will need to reschedule.

O.C.T: BakerBeach to North Jetty
2021-05-15 00:00 - 2021-05-16 23:59
O.C.T: Baker Beach to North Jetty Florence This is a section hike on the Oregon Coast Trail and an overnight at the Sutton Campground Group Camp north of Florence. The plan is to arrive at noon at the Baker Beach Trailhead (44.0876, -124.1182), and explore the area north of Berry Creek and south to Sutton Creek. We will need to walk on the wet sand for plover protection. Late in the afternoon we will check into the campground and have free time for exploration, etc. In the group campsite there is ample room to space tents. A restroom is nearby. The next day the plan is to drive to the Siuslaw North Jetty parking area and everyone park their cars. We will shuttle to the Heceta Beach County Park (or thereabouts), park, walk north about a mile to the Sutton Creek mouth then south back to our cars (about 3.5 miles this day). We should leave Florence around 2pm to allow ample time to return home. This trip is exploratory so please be flexible.
The overnight fee is $13/person and includes up to 6 vehicles. This should be paid to the trip leader. Everyone might need to pitch in a dollar or two for wood if a campfire is allowed. Covid protocols will be in place. The trip leader has been fully immunized for Covid.

Cloverpatch Trail
2021-05-16
Steep trail east of lookout Point Reservoir. Wildflowers galore and some great views. It could be chilly at 3400 ft so dress appropriate. This is exploratory trip since leaded never been there.
➯ Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for full information. Participants will manage their own transportation.

Sweet Creek Falls
2021-05-16
I leave an option open for a short add on hike or possible lunch in Florence. Sweet Creek has flowers and water and it’s is beautiful.

Three Mile Lake
2021-05-16
Lovely hike through low coastal sand dunes ecosystem, then along the beach and to a fresh water lake. Hike back through high dunes and forest ecosystems.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-05-19
NOTE: Per CDC guidelines, face masks are no longer required, nor is social distancing if one is vaccinated and outdoors.
If new, please come at 0815.
Remember, despite the lack of social distancing guidelines, respect people’s space. This change will take getting used to.
Every Wednesday 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. It is a great way to get and stay in shape. If this is your first time on this Obsidian hike and/or if this is the first time you have hiked up Spencer Butte from the lowest elevation, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. Registered guests are welcome. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. (Please scroll down to read all of this trip description.) Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group. 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 call the leader if any questions.

Marys Peak
2021-05-21
We will drive to Junction City headed for Philomath and the Woods Creek Road to the North Ridge Trailhead #1350 (elevation 1300ft. ) It is 4.4 mile up to the day use Observation Point /parking lot/toilets if open, and another .6 miles to the top of Marys Peak (3750 ft). The shortest route is up and back (not the loop to Connor’s Camp connecting with RD 2005). We should start the hike around 9:30/9:45—depending on how long it takes us to navigate Eugene traffic. It is marked as difficult but think of it as two moderate Pisgahs. Hopefully the bathroom at Target opens and is available at 8:00. I have heard that there is one tree to climb over. There might be some snow near the top.

E2C Alpine Trail Mid-section
2021-05-22
Nice trail through the woods north of Westfir, OR. This is another segment of the Eugene to Crest Trail. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for full information. Participants will manage their own transportation.
>>> NOTE: I am sorry to announce that May 22 Alpine Mid-section hike will be postponed to June 13. Per information received from Middle Fork Ranger District, it is still a lot of snow on that elevation.
I hope that you can join the group in June. Darko

Obsidian Grounds
2021-05-22
We will focus on mowing – hopefully we can get both lawn mowers and the wheeled string trimmer going on that. I’ll bring my DR to start mowing the area behind the storage building, but the area needs downed limbs and stuff cleared out first – lot of poison oak back there, so beware. There are a number of other things to do if the turnout warrants it.
