The Obsidians

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-02-14
Update: Dave and I canceling the trip because of weather. 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 trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr.
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
2023-02-15, 2023-02-22, 2023-03-01, 2023-03-08
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.

GameNight!
2023-02-16
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.

NOAA Research Vessel Tour
2023-02-16
MEET AT THE SPRINGFIELD/Gateway TARGET. We will carpool to South Beach, Newport, and meet as a group at the NOAA security kiosk at 4:00PM We will pass through security and board (via gangplank) the vessel as a group. We can park our cars inside the NOAA facility.
Restrooms at Target, Corvallis Safeway, NOAA facility
Face masks aboard RV required.
Depending on how long the tour lasts,1-1.5 hours, we will be driving back at dusk; ETA Springfield 8:00PM

Hendricks to Moon to Ribbon
2023-02-16
NEW START LOCATION: Obsidian Lodge at 8:30 a.m.
NEW ROUTE: REVERSE THE ORDER! Start on Ribbon Trail to 30th St.
We will head east through Laurel Hill Valley to Moon Mtn. and Coryell Ridge. Then south and west through Black Oak Basin and Bloomberg Park before returning via the Ribbon Trail. The distance is approximate. We can make it a bit shorter if the weather is nasty or a bit longer if we decide to noodle around. A mile or more will be extremely muddy.NEW

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-02-17
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 and 4, 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.

Eugene's Polar Plunge!
2023-02-18
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Meeting place: River House Outdoor Center 400 Adams.
Individual Participant fee: $50
Don’t regret being left out of such exhilarating fun!! Be part of the Obsidian Team for Eugene’s Special Olympics Polar Plunge! Join your daring (crazy?) Obsidian friends for a VERY invigorating swim for a great cause! A 10-second dip is all that is asked. 10 seconds !!! YOU CAN DO IT ! A warm-up of delicious hot chocolate when you get out of the river.
Help get Obsidians in the news! Don’t leave me & Angie & Andrew & Mitch & Lisa & her daughter Sophia out there alone!!
PS: for those who might arrive as a support team to take photos, hold towels, or simply gawk – thank-you thank-you thank-you!!! – a $5 dollar contribution (or more) to the total cause will be appreciated. Smile.
HINT: family and friends can support you by running in for the PLUNGE with you – unregistered. No registration-no fee.
Anyone can swim in the Willamette at any time.
Polar Plunge is your chance to step out of your comfort zone by jumping into an unforgettable experience that directly impacts the lives of Special Olympics Oregon Athletes. By participating you provide 5,000+ Special Olympics Oregon Athletes access to sports, activities, and community.
TO find out more: https://support.soor.org/event/2023-track-town-polar-plunge/e429803 Meetup/Departure Location: River House 400 N. Adams

Mt Pisgah
2023-02-18
Turn right at the sign for West Summit Trailhead and follow pay fee signs to the main parkiing lot. Look for us a row or two down below the fee box. Depending on weather, I plan to take Trail 7 and 3 to Trail 4 where we will see the first wildflowers – Snowqueen plus a few surprises. Depending on the group, we will either take the longer route on Trail 4 or the shorter one connecting to Trail 6. Either way, it will be uphill on Trail 2 to the Summit at a steady pace. Estimated time is 3 hours so bring snacks. Once we reach the summit, you have the option of going back down on the main trail for a total of 6 miles or continuing on to the north trailhead for a total of 7.4 miles. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions.

Mountain View Shelter/Maxwell
2023-02-18
We’ll park at Maxwell Snow Park and head north to the Mountain View Shelter where we’ll have lunch. Some of us will be stopping at Takoda’s after the trip.

Trestle Creek Falls
2023-02-19
This is an uphill climb that we will do in a counter clockwise direction, returning by loop to our vehicles. It is low elevation but the trail may be wet in places. We will plan on having lunch at the upper falls. Returning, we have the option to visit the lower falls, an extra 0.6 miles added to our trip. I hope we can car pool, if everyone is comfortable.

Gold Lake / Marilyn Lake Snowshoe
2023-02-19
We will park at Gold Lake sno-park near the summit on highway 58, carefully cross the highway and snowshoe through timber to the shores of Marilyn Lakes. Continuing north, we’ll reach the Gold Lake shelter near the shore of Gold Lake and take a lunch break. The route back follows Gold Lake Road.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-02-21, 2023-03-07
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 trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr.
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.

Potato Hill
2023-02-23
Have appropriate clothing for cold, snow, or rain. Pack a lunch. Be fit for the trip!…If the snow is deep it will b a tough hike…
Rescheduled fo 3/9

Think Snow! Potluck - Jarl Berg
2023-02-24
Jarl Berg grew up in Eugene and has had SNOW as a lifelong theme. His grandfather started Berg’s Ski Shop in 1955, where Jarl worked for 17 years. An expert in Nordic and telemark skiing, Jarl will share his love of snow and present a fun piece of Obsidian history related to skiing aspects of the club and winter activities.
Social time begins 6:05 pm; Potluck begins 6:30 pm; Presentation 7:30 pm
(Signing up for the potluck is optional. You’re welcome to show up without signing up or, if you’re not the potluck type, you can show up just for the presentation.)

Ribbon Trail Tree Ivy Removal
2023-02-25
For this month’s outing we’ll be shifting gears from the planting project because it’ll be to cold to plant plants, to cutting back ivy from tree along the ribbon trail.
Meet at the Obsidians Lodge. Work party goes from 9-12 am.

Pisgah Long Route w/Option
2023-02-26
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.
It’s early spring at Mt. Pisgah and the first osoberry and snow queen blossoms are appearing! From the West (main) 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. (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 on 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, a total of about 4 hours and 9.4 miles. We can adjust the route if the weather is poor.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-02-28
5:40 am HIKE IS CANCELED BECAUSE OF SNOW> 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 trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr.
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.

Shelter Cove snowshoe/ski
2023-02-28 00:00 - 2023-03-02 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
We will be staying at Kokanee Lodge Units C & D which have a total of 4 bathrooms and 6 bedrooms. Each unit has wireless internet, large living room with gas fireplace overlooking
the lake and full kitchen with a large group table. There is an open doorway between the units. Cross country ski, downhill ski, snowshoe or curl up by the fire with a good book and enjoy this winter wonderland with us. On line registration will open at 7am on Jan.15th and is limited to 16 people. Members: mail a check for $120 (includes two nights,2 dinners, and parking) payable to Obsidians and sent to Chris Shuraleff, 34790 Matthews Rd, Eug 97405 within 5 days of signing up. Non members may register starting January 18; the cost is $125. The payment is non-refundable unless your place is filled by someone else. The pre-trip meeting will be Feb 6th, at 6pm at the Obsidian lodge to discuss car pooling, dinners, rooms, etc.

Heceta Head / Hobbit Trail
2023-03-02
We’ll start at Washburne State Park and cross 101 to pick up the Valley Trail along China Creek. The bridge probably isn’t repaired yet, but we can check on its progress before we cross back over 101 and up through the forest on the Oregon Coast Trail to the Heceta Head Lighthouse for lunch. After lunch we’ll take the Hobbit trail down to the beach and along the shore back to our cars. If the bridge across China Creek is open the hike will be 8 miles, but since it probably isn’t, it will be 6 miles.
Be prepared for slippery slopes and winter weather, as I won’t cancel unless it’s truly dangerous (my call!)
Drive is suitable for all vehicle types, and there are rest rooms at the trail head and at the lighthouse.

Ribbon to Moon
2023-03-02
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 options 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 routes and will be finished well before lunch. I have a new! improved! map of the area. No restrooms. There are unavoidable muddy sections.
Cold is good – the mud will be frozen.
If 30th is unsafe due to snow or ice we will reschedule.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-03-05
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 6:05 and moonrise is 4:21. (The full moon is two days later.) Current plan is to take Trails 7,3, and 1 to the to. Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. 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. With the early moonrise, perhaps someone will want to add/lead a longer approach hike if there is favorable weather for celestial viewings.

Boulder Creek Wilderness
2023-03-05
This is a small, pocket wilderness area in the North Umpqua drainage. Because the drive is a commitment and it is a backcountry hike, it is subject to cancellation if the forecast is snow, high wind or heavy rain. The leader will make this determination by March 3rd.
The area is also known for poison oak and ticks, both of which are less likely to be a problem given the time of year, but something to keep in mind. Remember, both aforementioned scourges occur at Mt. Pisgah.

Amanda Trail to Perpetua
2023-03-09
We will carpool to Yachats and walk the Amanda Trail to the shelter at Cape Perpetua and back. It is a 7 mile hike, with just over 1,000 feet of climbing in total. The weather may be rainy, so definitely bring along your rain gear! The entire route is well marked with “Oregon Coast” trail signs. We follow 101 briefly, with the ocean on the right, then cross 101 at Windy Way. We leave the highway and are in the forest for the hike up, with intermittent views of the ocean through the trees, then head through an open conservation easement and down to the Amanda statue and storyboard. There’s then a bridge/stream crossing and fairly steep uphill for approximately 1 mile. Closer to the top there is another stream crossing (without a bridge), and the trail to the stone shelter subsequently intersects with the more heavily traveled loop at the top of Cape Perpetua. Great views! We’ll head down the way we came up; those who wish to may join in a meal in Yachats before heading back to Eugene.

Potato Hill
2023-03-09
Have appropriate clothing for cold, snow, or rain. Pack a lunch. Be fit for the trip!…If the snow is deep it will b a tough hike…

Hendricks to Alton Baker loop
2023-03-09
cancelled

Boulder Creek Wilderness Bkpk
2023-03-10 00:00 - 2023-03-12 23:59
This is an out-n-back backpack in the North Umpqua Boulder Creek Wilderness. Depart Eugene on Friday, 2.5 hour drive to the Soda Springs Trailhead east of Roseburg off OR138. Hike up Soda Springs to the Bradley Trail following a pioneer route approx. 3 miles to Pine Bench, a remnant area of grass meadows and huge old growth Sugar Pines and Ponderosas. Camp amid the giant pines. Saturday day hike 3-4 mile exploration into the Boulder Creek canyon and the Pine Bench overlook followed by a Schizzleplotz around the campfire. Sunday return hike to TH.
