The Obsidians

Rigdon Lakes
2021-09-22
This pleasant fall hike passes through part of the old Taylor Burn area, but there is a lot of regrowth to accompany the improved views of lakes and mountains. The hike begins near North Waldo Campground. After about 1.7 miles, we will turn north to follow a loop around Rigdon Butte and the 3 lakes. Lake Kiwa is a possible lunch spot. There may be time for a quick swim in Waldo Lake on the return leg of our hike. If the skies permit, we will have good views of Diamond Peak, the Twins, Mt. Fuji, and possibly Mt. Jefferson. Perhaps we will find a few last, ripe huckleberries. Pace will be steady and relaxed. We will follow current COVID-19 guidelines. There should be enough parking for multiple cars. You may wish to make any carpooling arrangements privately ahead of time.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-09-22, 2021-09-29, 2021-10-06, 2021-10-13
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.) 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.

Mt Pisgah
2021-09-24, 2021-10-01
Turn at the sign for West Summit Trailhead and follow pay fee signs. I’ll try to have my car in the row below the fee
box and gate so that it is easy for us to meet, sign up. etc. I plan to take back trails (Trail 4
and Trail 2) to the summit. Mileage and elevation could vary but around 6 miles to 7 miles at a steady pace.
Estimated time is 2 ½ – 3 hours. We have options to shorten or add to the mileage.

National Public Lands Day
2021-09-25
We will do some trailside brushing and drainage ditch clearing on the Ridgeline Trail in Spencer Butte Park.
Meet at the Willamette & 52nd Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot near the powerline corridor on Willamette Street.

Berry Creek & Beach Cleanup
2021-09-25
Our workplace is located just a few miles north of Florence, OR.
The Obsidian Volunteer Party will clean up the area around Berry Creek and the adjacent beach.
We will meet at Target W11, Eugene and carpool to the Baker Beach trail-head where the leader will provide trash bags, gloves and a short orientation. We will be done with work by 1PM.
Optional after the work-party lunch in restaurant in north Florence.
➽ Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website for information.

Waldo Lake Full Loop
2021-09-26
Morning at Waldo Lake will be around 48°F. Day will be mainly sunny except for a few afternoon clouds. High 67F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Most of the trail around the lake is shaded. We will have some afternoon full exposure sections and great views on and around one of world cleanest lakes.
Please be at Amazon parking lot few minutes early. We will leave promptly at 6:30 AM and drive to the Shadow Bay at Waldo Lake. Don’t forget ten essentials, lunch, on-the-move snacks and 2 liters of hydration. Make sure to have some more water in car for your return home. For this long day – fast paced – long hike wear shoes that are your feet “familiar with”. Please read the updated COVID Protocols.
According to Willamette National Forest website, Waldo Lake trail (Jim Weaver trail) is 19.6 miles long, Hiking Project listed 21.4 miles and AllTrails 19.2 miles. Other sources mentioning 21.8 miles and 20.8 miles.
So, we will see… We’ll have sevreal tracking devices so we can have our mileage ?
If you have any question email darchey@comcast.net

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-09-28, 2021-10-05, 2021-10-12, 2021-10-19
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.

The Twins
2021-10-02
This is my favorite hike in the Willamette National Forest – partly through the forest and then opening up. At the top, there are fantastic views of Waldo Lake, the Cascades peaks, and the somewhat unusual overview of the lakes and reservoirs to the east off Cascades Lakes highway. We will have lunch at the top of the north Twin and then continue making a loop before re-joining the main trail back to the parking lot. If you have access to Bill Sullivan’s Central Cascades book, there’s a longer description there.
See the covid rules on the home page. If you hope to carpool, please bring a face mask

Yoran / Lils Lakes Loop
2021-10-02
This is a loop hike that takes us by Karen, Yoran, Lils, Hidden and Midnight Lakes along with many smaller no name lakes. We will stop at Karen or Lils lake for lunch. We should have views of Diamond Peak. This will be a moderate pace hike.
A section that we used to have to navigate through the woods from Yoran to Lils is now an established trail put in by the Forest Service.

P. Hill / Creswell Bakery Loop
2021-10-02
We plan to cycle to the Creswell Bakery on a series of beautiful backroads with rolling hills. After stopping for lunch we plan to head South to take in several miles of lightly trafficked roads through farmland before heading West to cycle the roads paralleling the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. This ride will be done at a leisurely pace.
Meeting Place: behind the high school, by the tennis courts off Enterprise Road Meetup/Departure Location: Pleasant Hill High School Pleasant Hill

Twin Craters Explora
2021-10-03
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➽ Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Clare Tucker Memorial 4 in 1 Cone
2021-10-03
This is the Fifth Annual Clare Tucker Memorial Hike, in memory of Clare Tucker, who led this hike 14 times. It is a solid moderate hike (in my opinion)with plans to start hiking about 0930, have lunch on the Cone, and be back to the cars about 3-330 (it gets dark early in October due to the equation of time).
The hike has been cancelled twice before, so if there is smoke, fire, road closures, or high winds, it will be cancelled again. In the unlikely event of precipitation, I need a good autumn hike to check the function of my rain gear and cold weather gear.
This hike will also feature use of Gaia, GPS, maps, and the concept of trail sense, for those who are interested in improving their navigation skills.
Bring a suitable pack for the season, conditions, and possibilities. There are no stream crossings. If the weather is not suitable, we will eat lunch in the woods nearby; we have done that on two other occasions.

Weekend Winopee Y Not
2021-10-08 00:00 - 2021-10-10 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is an excellent beginner backpack for those wanting to test their shoulder-season gear.
We depart Eugene Friday afternoon and drive approx. 2 hrs to North Cultus lake TH. Hike following lovely Cultus Lk 3 mi through mature forest and mulberry lined paths to camp on the western shore looking east to the sunrise and Cultus Mtn. Saturday morning hike west 4 mi passing Teddy and Muskrat lakes with interesting beaver constructions to many-fingered picturesque Winopee lake and base camp. Afternoon, for those with energy to burn, optional 3 mi loop hike around the Winpoee Y passing lower & upper Snowshoe lakes, Long lake and Puppy Lake with more beaver action; returning via the PCT. Sunday packup & hike 7 mi.

Green Lakes
2021-10-09
This very pretty hike has all the iconic Oregon features you love – trail meandering along a creek, waterfalls, lakes, diverse landscapes and splendid mountain views. We will loop around the lakes and then return back the way we came. It’s actually a very gentle trail, so there will be plenty of time for exploring, enjoying the lakes, and taking pictures.
Just a word to the wise – you may have heard the rumor that an Obisidian broke their leg falling off a log while trying to cross the creek on this trail. The rumor is true! So if you have concerns about balancing on a log to cross over, just bring an extra pair of socks and plan on wading. It’s only water.
The drive is long but suitable for all vehicle types.

NW Eugene country roads loop
2021-10-09
Meet: Meadowlark Prairie parking lot across the Greenhill Humane Society
From Greenhill Road bike to Alvadore and further northwest to Franklin. From there we will ride few miles on Teritorial Hwy, over the east side of picturesque Kirk Butte to West Kirk Park. After the short break at West Kirk Park, we will ride Clear Lake Rd and via Malabon return back.
➽ Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

North Bank Habit Area
2021-10-09
The North Bank Habitat is a ten-square mile preserve (ranch) overlooking the North Umpqua River near Roseburg. The scenic up and down loop on old ranch roads has rolling—some steep & challenging hills— up to and along the ridgeline with oak savannas, meadows, and views of the North Fork of the Umpqua River. I am hoping the clusters of red berries on the Pacific madrone trees along the Blacktail Ridge Road from the West Entrance are spectacular as last year.
Directions: From I-5, take exit 135 Wilbur, then on North Bank Rd to the West Entrance. The drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. There could be one muddy section. We should start hiking around 9:45 and complete the hike around 3:00 It will be a steady almost moderate pace with a late lunch so bring some snacks or two lunches. The elevation gain is like doing Mt.Pisgah twice.

Castle Rock via King Castle TH
2021-10-15
This trail 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. After 4 miles, the trail crosses a road, then switchbacks another 1.7 miles up a forested slope to the ridgetop and rocky summit. Weather permitting, we will have good views with our lunch. We will proceed at a steady, relaxed pace and pause periodically to keep the group together. Notes: Mountain bikers may be sharing the trail. There are no restrooms at the trailhead. If poor weather is forecast, I may substitute a hike at Mt. Pisgah. A stop at Takoda’s Restaurant is an option after the hike.

E2C Winberry Divide
2021-10-16

West Metolius River Trail
2021-10-16
Find out why the Metolius is known as “Oregon’s most magical river.” We will start this gentle, out-and-back hike at Lower Canyon Creek Campground and turn around when we hit the “Private Property” sign, after about 3.65 miles. The trail stays beside the river for nearly the whole time, and along the way we’ll see springs gushing into the river, maybe ouzels, fall foliage (we hope) and the gaping mouths of a fish hatchery.
After completing our downstream/upstream river hike, we’ll drive to the Head of the Metolius River for a quick walk (.5 mile RT) to pay our respects to the source of this beautiful river. Those who wish to can go on into Sisters for an optional dinner somewhere cute, although with the days getting shorter it will mean a long drive home after dark.
Technically, this should be labeled an Explora hike, because I’ve never done it, but it’s a heavily trafficked trail that looks pretty straightforward, so I think we will be OK.

Sunset Sand Circles
2021-10-16
Easy beach walk from Florence’s North Jetty to Driftwood Shores beach where we will walk through a giant labyrinth that will be carved in the sand. The public walk through begins at 5:00 p.m. Low tide will be at 5:15 and sunset will be at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and will be held rain or shine. We will be back to our cars by 7:00 PM
Event details:
https://florencechamber.com/event/giant-beach-art-event-returns-to-driftwood-shores-october-16/?fbclid=IwAR3TZ2O_ly0lIu7khpTBU-Hv1RZ7BeFQrAwByXF9QXEfeqVwnaoqc5jdST8

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2021-10-16
This is a moonrise hike! Moonrise is at 5:18 pm and I’m sure we won’t wait for the sunset at 6:26.
Look for us by my car, two or three rows down from the fee box at the gate.The current plan is to take Trail 7 and 4 to intersect with the main trail. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions.
Have some warm clothing to put on while lingering on the summit. Full moon is Wednesday, October 20.

Finn Rock Reach with MRT
2021-10-18
McKenzie River Trust (MRT) representatives will join us as we explore work that has been conducted at Finn Rock Reach. The 278-acre property which was acquired by MRT in 2015 features 2 miles of McKenzie River front property with channels, ponds, and wetlands ideal for area habitat. Fire activity in 2020 created an opportunity for enhancement of salmon and other fish habitat. We will wander the area viewing the improvements and tour the wetland area. We estimate returning to the Eugene/Springfield area by 2-3 PM
Due to the recent work in the area, trails may be rough and uneven, so hiking poles are advised.
Obsidian COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Those carpooling masks will be required, and participants should be vaccinated.

Hendricks Park Fall Color Stroll
2021-10-18
There’s still lots in bloom and the colors on the deciduous trees are just starting in Hendricks. Lots of new plantings in the xerix garden and the tangerine rhodie near the rock garden might still be in bloom.
Hendrick Park – Always changing, simply amazing. Right in our backyard!
Covid protocols in place. Meetup/Departure Location: Wilkins Shelter
