The Obsidians

McKenzie River Trust Stewardship
2023-05-20
°° Obsidians volunteer day at Green Island with McKenzie River Trust.
°° We’ll work 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM on blackberry removal on the 2.5-acre plot, adopted by Obsidians couple of years ago. Green Island is located just few miles north of Eugene, at the confluence of the McKenzie and the Willamette Rivers. McKenzie River Trust with generous support of dozen local organization and hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers researching, restoring, and protecting over 1100 acres of riverbanks, forest, islands, channels, sloughs, and grassland.
°° McKenzie River Trust has a new Volunteer Coordinator and she is looking forward to meet Obsidians this Saturday. Please join us. Thank you volunteers!

Mt. Pisgah Wildflower Festival
2023-05-21
UPDATE: Admission tickets are sold out until 2:00. Park at the North Trailhead at 7:45. There should not be a traffic jam since the Festival starts at 10:00. We will hike on the back trails (North Bottom) and then up Trail 3 & 4 and the Main Trail reaching the summit around 10:00 where you have options to continue hiking or return to the North Trailhead or hike down to Festival if you have a ticket. I didn’t get a ticket in time so I probably will take the Coast Fork Trail back to the cars. For more information, visit mountpisgaharboretum.org/festivals-events/wildflower-music-festival/
Mileage is an estimate depending on weather and the options. Parking is free. Email at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if questions

Suzanne Arlie Park
2023-05-22
Come explore the biggest park in Eugene. We can look around a see what is being done to to establish trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Some “trails” we will avoid because poison oak.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-05-23, 2023-05-30, 2023-06-06
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
2023-05-24, 2023-05-31
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.

Fitton Green
2023-05-25
The Fitton Green natural area will include views of Mary’s Peak, the Coastal range, a walk along the Mary’s river, and lunch with a view of the Cascades and the Willamette Valley. The hike features rolling hills on a combination of paths, old farming roads and one short stretch of ungroomed trail. A water and snack stop will be at the newly constructed gazebo and old tree stumps that have been carved into chairs. Intersections are marked with a trail map and historical backgrounds of the various conservcancy lands. The hills will feature up and down terrain throughout the hike. The pace will be relaxed with stops. Lunch will be later near the end of the hike so bring an extra snack you can eat at the Gazebo. Parking is limited so carpooling is recommended.

Evening hike: Wild Iris Ridge
2023-05-25
6pm: Meet at the corner of Bailey Hill Road and S. Bertelsen Rd. Parking is limited, please either carpool, or, if no available parking spots, there is a residential area off Bailey Hill and Leahy Dr., about 2 blocks from the trailhead.
This is a conditioning hike. We’ll add the loop at the top for a total of 4.4 miles – unless – the trail is too overgrown. I recommend wearing long pants, because as long as we can safely walk this section regardless of it being overgrown, we’ll go for it. If you’re not familiar with this trail, please give me a call.

Middle Fork of Willamette
2023-05-25
The Middle Fork of the Willamette River Trail runs from Sand Prairie Campground near Hills Ck Reservoir to Timpanogas lk. It passes Chuckle Spring, the headwater of the Willamette River.
We will be doing the section from road 2127 to road 2184 out and back. If we have enough drivers we also have the option of doing a shuttle and hiking one way from Sand Prairie Campground to Rd. 2184. Hoping for some spring flowers and wildlife.
Note, I believe there has been construction since I hiked it a few years back, but it is still possible that we may have a creek crossing along the way.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-05-26
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, 4 and 1 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.
Car break-ins occur on occasion and happened to one member on our last hike, so be sure to leave nothing in view in your car.
Some will likely choose to lunch together at the Pleasant Hill Sunrise Cafe afterwards.

Oak Knoll, Hendricks Park
2023-05-27
We will meet at 28 / Hilyard at 8:45AM and then carpool to the trailhead in Hendriks park area.
Parking on our trailhead is limited so we’ll try to carpool.
This 9AM – noon work party project is ideal for restoration-savvy volunteers. The Oak Knoll, savannah grassland at Hendricks, is in need of some real attention. There’s invasive grasses, vinca, and poison hemlock encroaching on oaks. We will have projects Do you know where The Oak Knoll is?
Positioned between groovy Eugene’s Laurelwood
neighborhood and nearby Hendricks Park, this savannah grassland is in constantly needs of some real attention. There are some invasive grasses, vinca, and poison hemlock encroaching on oaks. The Obsidians Stewardship Committee runs a work party project ideal for skilled restoration volunteers.
Today we worked under the watchful eye of Cait Wisbeski, City of Eugene, Hendricks Park Volunteer Coordinator.
Besides being part of the community, we had a good feeling of being a steward of the land and part of a big project, we had fun. The first track maintenance participant happily expressed “This is really good for me”. Please volunteer.

Marys Peak North Trail
2023-05-27
An hour or so drive to Junction City and on Highway 20 to Woods Creek Road—then 7.5 miles on paved and gravel road to the North Ridge Trailhead #1350. It is 4.4 mile hike up to the day use Observation Point /parking lot/toilets where we will see yellow avalanche lilies in the meadow. Another .6 miles to the top of Marys Peak (3750 ft) for lunch. We should start the hike around 9:30 and app. 2 1/2 hours reach the summit. It is marked as moderate but the elevation gain s like two Pisgahs. No snow! The representative at the Corvallis Forest Headquarters said they had been no reports of trees across the trail. I am sure there will be trees to cross over. Target opens at 8:00 so bathrooms would be available. There are no convenient ones on the way to the trailhead and none at the trailhead.

Eagles Rest
2023-05-28
Eagles Rest: only 26 miles up highway 58. The turn-off then becomes about 3 miles of gravel road. Last fall it had been re-paved and was in good shape. This is a lovely hike through lush forest up to the top of Eagles Rest and a nice view. This is where we’ll take a break & early lunch. Could be a bit muddy.
Carpool: Parking is a bit limited, so please prepare to carpool, the fewer cars the better.

Masonic Cemetery /Ribbon Trail
2023-05-29
Departure Place: 25th and University, Main gate with signage—not the dead end road to the Abbey. We will stroll through the cemetery and then on city streets up to the golf course and taking the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park. We might stop at the Bog. The “relaxed” hike will take around 2.5 hours so that we are back at the cemetery by noon for Taps at the Public Square. Hope Abbey Mausoleum will be open. See Masonic Cemetery website for details about Memorial week-end activities including a concert.

Eula Ridge - Hardesty loop
2023-05-30
The forest is beautiful and green. This hike climbs steeply up the Eula Ridge trail and connects with the Hardesty Trail. The top of Hardesty has the remnants of a lookout, with trees blocking the view that used to exist. The return down the Hardesty Trail has more switchbacks as it descends to the Hardesty Trailhead.
The drivers will pull into the Hardesty Trailhead and we’ll take a car/cars to the Eula Ridge Trailhead. Upon completion, cars will return to Eula Ridge to pick up vehicles at that location.

Amazon Headwaters Brushing
2023-05-31
We are switching project location and task for this project. We will cut back brush from along the Amazon Headwaters trail.
Meet at the Fox Hollow Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot on Fox Hollow Road. Work party goes from 5:30PM – 8PM.

CPR and AED class
2023-05-31
Basic Life Support CPR will be covered over 3 hours. It will be a hands on experience using manikins. Material covered will be one and two rescuer adult CPR, use of an AED, how to provide breaths using a mask, one and two rescuer child and infant CPR and how to assist a choking patient. Those completing the 3 hour training will receive an American Heart Association certification in Basic Life Support CPR. The card will be good for 2 years and will cost $10.
Instructors: Laurie Monico and Hannah Shallice.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-06-02
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 8:49 pm and moonrise is 7:43 pm Current plan is to take Trails 7,3 and 1. Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. We probably will be hiking down as the sun sets. (Full Moon is June 3 If you don’t have a Lane County pass , please, please allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-06-02
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. 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 all valuables from your vehicle. (I will be at the Sunrise Cafe parking lot at 7:25 am if anyone wants to carpool from there)
We will hike to the summit on trails #2, 4, 3 and then #1 and returning on trail #6. (This route is a modified hike that David Hawkins organizes) Good conditioning hike. Optional brunch/lunch following hike.

Fort Rock
2023-06-02, 2023-06-03
1.7 mile level hike around the outside rock formation + additional exploratory hiking up into ramparts with 100’ elevation gain. Beautiful and endless views of the surrounding desert and ranches. After hiking, we can tour the Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum in the nearby town of Fort Rock, and learn the fascinating and tragic story of the homesteaders’ boondoggle a century ago.

Heceta Head & Tahkenitch
2023-06-02 00:00 - 2023-06-04 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Note: If you sign-up for this multi-day trip, please don’t casually cancel last minute. Doing so prevents others from attending and costs the trip leader out-of-pocket reservation fees. Thank you!
This is a 2-night camping trip to the coast where we will be hiking at Heceta Head and in the Tahkenitch dunes. PLEASE SCROLL THROUGH THE ENTIRE TRIP DESCRIPTION
Friday, June 2nd:
Plan on hiking 2.5 miles with a minimal elevation gain.
Arrive at the Sutton Campground Campground Loop A, Siuslaw National Forest (Coordinates: 44.0567, -124.1080) on your own schedule; 2 pm at the earliest time to check-in, but you can arrive that evening depending on your schedule. In the evening –if the wind cooperates– we may try to do a beach walk at nearby Baker Beach. If windy, we will opt for an inland local walk (2.5 miles RT to Alder Lake) or hang out around the campfire.
Saturday: June 3rd
Plan on hiking 8 miles with an elevation gain of 800 feet.
In the morning, at approx 9am, we drive 11 miles to Carl Washburne State Park and park in the day-use area. We will hike to the Heceta Head Lighthouse via the beach (note: the high tide is approx. 2pm that day), the Hobbit Trail, and across Heceta Head. On the return walk we cross the highway and continue to the China Creek Loop (provided the loop is open), through the campground following China Creek to the ocean then walking the short distance back to the day-use area. We return to camp.
Sunday: June 4th
Plan on hiking 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 650 feet.
We break camp about 9am and drive 19 miles to the Tahkenitch Day Use Area (Tahkenitch Dunes – Threemile Lake North Trailhead). We will hike the Tahkenitch, having lunch near Threemile Lake. We will walk past the foredunes and down to the beach, walking north for a mile (high tide is approx 2:30pm today). Near the mouth of Tahkenitch Creek, we will walk over the dunes and back to the parking area. The anticipated return time to Eugene will be in the mid-afternoon.
The trip amount is $30/person (covers 2 nights in the group camp and firewood) and payable to the trip leader at time of arrival. The Group Campground is a tent-only area. Bring your own food, supplies, tent, etc. Please bring your State Park Pass and All-In-One Federal Pass for your vehicle. Please try to carpool as much as possible as our reservation is limited to 6 vehicles. Dress for the weather. The Sutton Campground is located approx. 6 miles north of the 126 and 101 junction in Florence, Oregon. A Fred Meyer is several miles away if you forget something.

Illinois River Kalmiopsis Wilderness
2023-06-02 00:00 - 2023-06-04 23:59
Come experience one of the best hikes in the Rogue NF Kalmiopsis Wilderness along the eastern Illinois River Trail during peak wildflower season. We’ll leave Eugene Friday afternoon and drive south to Selma and onto the Illinois River road and the Briggs Creek TH. Please note the final 7 miles to TH are gravel/dirt manageable at slow speed by passenger car. We’ll hike downriver following the Illinois River Trail and camp Friday night at Pine Creek approx 5 miles from TH. Saturday we’ll day hike out-and-back conditions permitting approx 9 miles to the summit of Bald Mtn 3,975’. Sunday pack up and return to TH.

National Trails Day
2023-06-03
We will work on concert with the City and the LDS church volunteers to create and surface tread in Wild Iris Ridge Park.
Meet at the Summit Sky Trailhead near Tiburon Lane. Work party goes from 9-12 am.

Diamond Peak - Graduation Climb
2023-06-03
This climb is intended for recent graduates of the Obsidians Climb School. We will ascend via the Pioneer Gulch route on the south to southwest side of the mountain. The climb is approximately 10 miles round trip with over 4000 ft of total elevation gain. As you prepare for this, think about hiking 4 Mount Pisgahs in a day

Pisgah Long Route w/Options
2023-06-04
Join us for an in-town hike with varying distance options! We will meet at the 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. Our route 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 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. The complete hike takes about 4 hours for the 9.4 miles.

Ankeny Hill
2023-06-04
We will meet in the parking lot of the Ankeny Hill Nature Preserve in Jefferson Oregon. Address is 130 Ankeny Hill Rd. SE Jefferson. The route is a loop which we will do clockwise, passing through Sidney Oregon. We will cross the Willamette via the Buena Vista Ferry, heading North along the west side of the river, stopping at the park in Independence for lunch. After lunch we will cross the Willamette, following the river along the east shore, returning to the Nature Center via Buena Vista Road South. It will be a leisurely ride and we will stop to regroup at intersections. Meetup/Departure Location: Ankeny Hill Nature Preserve Bike Ride

Evening hike: Baldy/Fox Hollow
2023-06-06
6 pm: Meet at the trailhead on DILLARD RD & HIDDEN MEADOWS DRIVE. It’s a small lot, if there is not enough parking, you can park further up Dillard about 1/4 miles and walk back to meet us. We’ll head towards FoxHollow and loop back, then ascend up to Mt. Baldy and return to our cars.
It’s rated easy due to mileage, however please note the elevation gain. If you have any questions, please give me a call.
