The Obsidians

Dorris Ranch/Clearwater Park
2021-02-20
Meet at Dorris Ranch upper parking lot near restrooms.
This is an 8 mile easy hike from Doris Ranch Park in Springfield to Clearwater Park and return. Takes about 2 1/2 hrs. Hills and river views. Meet at Doris Ranch parking lot next to restrooms. Some may have lunch after outdoors at Planktown Restaurant on fourth street after hike. Mask and social distance protocols

Bechtel Shelter
2021-02-21
We will drive to Gold Lake snow park. We ski along roads to Bechtel Shelter for lunch. After lunch we continue beyond shelter depending how we are feeling and weather conditions before returning to cars. If you have not Xcode- skied before please practice getting in and out of bindings at home. Doing this in the cold holds up the trip and everyone is miserable.

Meadowlark Prairie
2021-02-22
We’ll meet up at the Target Parking lot on West 11th Street and get on the nearby Fernridge Path. We’ll follow this easy path a little more than 3 miles to Meadowlark Prairie, one of the best bird watching sites in our area. We’ll return via the same route, and maybe get hot chocolate at the Target Starbucks.
Meet up by leader’s car, a White Honda Fit. It’ll be parked in the area of the parking lot that is nearest to West 11th Street.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-02-23
Departure time from 7:15-7:30. 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.
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.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-02-24, 2021-03-03, 2021-03-10, 2021-03-17
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.

52nd Street/Spencer Butte
2021-02-24, 2021-03-10
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’ve been using 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.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise (long)
2021-02-26
Look for us by my car, two or three rows down from the fee box at the gate. We start hiking at 3:30pm. This is a long hike to backside of Pisgah. It takes two hours and 15 minutes at a moderate space to get to the top!. The sunset is 5:56 and moonrise is 5:21. We will take Trail 7 to Trail 4 DOWN to Trail 2 and then up 800 ft elevation on the east side. Look for us by my car, one or two rows down from the fee box. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If it is raining, we could opt for a shorter hike. If there is a wait list, we can recruit an assistant leader to help with two groups.

Spencer Butte Drainage
2021-02-27
For this month’s outing we will be cleaning the drainage along the West Trail and time permitting along the Main Trail.
Meet at the main Spencer Butte parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette Street.

Mt Pisgah (long)
2021-02-28, 2021-03-06
Park at the Main Parking lot but MEET by the BATHROOMS across from the Pavilion. From there we will take Trail 5, Trail 56 and then Trail 6 to the summit (4.5 miles). On the way back we will hike down on Trail 2, Trail 46. and up Trail 4 to Trail 3, and Trail 7. Then on to the North Trailhead and returning along the river. Please be familiar with the COVID protocols on the website. Allow 3 1/2 hours. We can adjust if weather does not cooperate.

Salt Creek Falls
2021-02-28
We leave Eugene and drive up Hwy 58 to Salt Creek sno park. This is a loop that travel along the Salt Ck. canyon with many view points. The trail turns and follows up Berry Ck canyon leading to a large waterfall before turning back toward sno park and cars.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-03-02, 2021-03-12
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.
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.

52nd Street/Spencer Butte
2021-03-03
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.

Robe Hill / Cedar Butte Explora
2021-03-06
We will commute from Eugene to Brownsville, and then, after the bathroom break, continue few more mails to the trailhead of first hike. After first hike we will drive few more miles to the second hike.
Each hike will be about 1000 ft el. gain. Hiking distance and elevation gain are approximate. Exact mileage and elevation gain will be updated after the hike.
➯ 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. Meetup/Departure Location: ShopKo Coburg Rd/Chad Dr,(btwn ShopKo & Taco Bell)

North Blowout Shelter
2021-03-07
This is a great xc ski trip. It has a rolling trail with great views of Mt Washington and Three Finger Jack. We will be skiing out of Ray Benson sno park. We can hope for clear spring weather so we can enjoy these views.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-03-09
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.
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.

Mt. Pisgah: Wildflower Scout
2021-03-11
Meet at 9:00am, by the bathrooms, at the MAIN (west) trailhead. You will need a Lane County Parks annual permit, or a Day Pass which can be purchased ahead of time at the main trailhead.
Spring beauty, Oregon grape, and osoberry are blooming. What else can we find, either in bloom or beginning to leaf? This small-group hike will cover about three miles of lower elevation trail within the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. We will travel at a steady, relaxed pace, stopping briefly to inspect items of interest. We will keep together (with appropriate Covid distancing) so that no one misses a trail or a discovery. Anticipate some uphill and downhill stretches (we are not going to the summit) and some muddy trail. If participants are interested, we can take an additional short side trip into the south meadow to see a tiny, uncommon Lane County flower. If the weather is poor or the flowers are not open, we will still get in a good walk.

Mt Pisgah (long)
2021-03-13
Park at the Main Parking lot but MEET by the BATHROOMS across from the Pavilion. From there we will take Trail 5, Trail 56 and then Trail 6 to the summit (3.5 miles). On the way back we will hike down on Trail 2 (update) to Trail 4 and then another uphill(s) to Trail 3, and Trail 7. On to the North Trailhead and returning along the river. Please be familiar with the COVID protocols on the website. Allow 3 1/2 hours. We can adjust if weather does not cooperate. This is like hiking Pisgah twice.
Read COVID guidelines on webpage.

Green Island Birdwalk
2021-03-13
This is an outing sponsored by the Conservation, Science and Education Committee.
Length -up to 3 miles on gravel paths, easy pace to enjoy the birds, other wildlife and lovely restored environments thanks to the McKenzie River Trust. This is one of the Saturdays l when the Trust is offering open exploration days. Access to the property 9 AM – 3 PM. for direct information see https://mckenzieriver.org/event/living-river-exploration-day/2021-03-13/
No need to be a birder; bring binoculars if you have them. Bring water, snacks, raingear.
NOTE: Heavy rain or high wind will occasion cancellation of the outing. Meetup/Departure Location: ShopKo Coburg Rd/Chad Dr,(btwn ShopKo & Taco Bell)

Daffodil bike ride
2021-03-13
The daffodils are at their peak and there are bazillions of them! We will meet at the Junction City Safeway on highway 99. It’s at the north end of the town; park facing highway 99. This is a moderate paced loop ride with 1 hill. We will be on roads with not much traffic and will ride mostly single file. Helmets on your head are mandatory. Meetup/Departure Location: Junction City Safeway

Pi Hike
2021-03-14
Updated with two groups. Departure Place: 25th and University, Main gate with signage—not the dead end road to the Abbey. There will be 12 in my group. Seven people have been notified that they will start earlier with Jorry as the leader.
We will start 4 ½ mile loop hike at the Masonic Cemetery winding our way up past the golf course to the Ribbon Trail and Hendricks Park. Depending on weather and interest, we could stop to purchase a piece of pie at Sweet Life on 18th. Come early if you would like to explore the cemetery. There are bathrooms at Hendricks Park!
If PI is truncated to seven decimal places, it becomes 3.1415926, making Pi occur on March 14 at 1:59.26.

Coyote Creek Restoration
2021-03-14
This project is cooperation with McKenzie River Trust and the Long Tom Watershed Council.
It will be about 3 hours from 9:30 AM – to 12:30 PM and includes digging up teasel / invasive species removal to help protect riparian plants in the area. We will meet at Target W11 and commute to Lorane Valley.
Once signed at Obsidians web, you will receive McKenzie River Trust COVID / work liability waiver.
➯ 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.

Dorris Ranch/Clearwater Park
2021-03-15
This is an 8-mile easy hike from Dorris Ranch Park in Springfield to Clearwater Park and back. We’ll be on a paved path alongside the water almost the whole time. Meet at Dorris Ranch parking lot next to restrooms. That’s the parking lot to the left, as you enter Dorris Ranch.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-03-16
Note: Leader will arrive by 7:00am. Trip may depart prior to 7:30am if all listed participants are present.
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.
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.

Mountaineering Conditioning
2021-03-16
Park in the main parking lot and meet at the gate for trail#1. You must pay for a day pass at the parking kiosk (debit/credit cards only) or have an annual Lane County parks pass on display in your vehicle. We’ll hike up to the summit and back on trail #1. I’m planning to do two laps with a weighted pack (recommend 20-40lbs in your pack if you want to use training weight), but you’re welcome to join for just one lap and/or hike without weight. The goal will be to finish within 2 hours, which should be right around sunset (bring a headlamp).
