The Obsidians

Mountaineering Conditioning
2021-04-28
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).

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-04-27, 2021-04-20, 2021-04-13
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 Sunset/Moonrise (long)
2021-04-26
Look for us by my car, two or three rows down from the fee box at the gate. The full moonrise is at 7:56 pm and the sunset is at 8:10. This is a long hikel It takes at least two hours at a moderate space to get to the top!. We will take Trail 7 to Trail 4 DOWN to Trail 2 and then up 800 ft elevation on the east side. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If it is raining, we could opt for a shorter hike.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise (long)
2021-04-25
Look for us by my car, two or three rows down from the fee box at the gate. The moonrise is at 6:35 pm and the sunset is at 8:10. The full moon is the next day. This is a long hike. It takes at least two hours at a moderate space to get to the top!. We will take Trail 7 to Trail 4 DOWN to Trail 2 and then up 800 ft elevation on the east side. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If it is raining, we could opt for a shorter hike.

E2C Eugene to Crest section 1
2021-04-24
The concept of providing a continuous trail from Eugene, Oregon to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail began in the early 1970’s. While the trail officially opened in 1994, it was never fully completed and not all segments of the trail are connected or completed. But this summer we can hike segments and see if some members can do the whole thing. The first segment leaves Eugene from Skinner’s Butte Park and takes us to Day Island Park in Springfield. When we have lunch at Day Island we can talk about doing doing sections like Tire Mountain, the Alpine Trail, the High Divide trail to Waldo, and getting to the PCT from the Bobby Lake Trailhead.

West Trail Improvements
2021-04-24
For this month’s outing we will work with the City to add steps to the West Trail. We will have additional project options such as clearing drainage, duff removal, and kiosk and stair cleaning.
Meet at the main Willamette Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette Street.

North Fork
2021-04-23
THIS TRIP IS CLOSED FOR SIGN-UPS AS OF 7:PM 4/7/21. Everyone must have a face covering to use when encountering people outside our group. This trail has very, very little traffic during the week.
Directions to trailhead: Hwy 58 to milepost 31, just west of Oakridge. Opposite the Middle Fork Ranger station, take Westfir Rd. 2.2 miles to a stop sign by the Office Covered Bridge. Take a left over the bridge into the parking lot. Trailhead is at the far-right hand end of the parking area. Feel. Free to carpool on your own.
The hike itself is a lovely out and back along the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River. Most of the trail will be shady. It has a few ups and downs, but is overall fairly level. We will take a lunch break at the 5 mile mark, just past Road 1912, before heading back. It’s a nice spot alongside the river, with large moss-covered rocks.

Earth Day Get Acquainted Hike
2021-04-22
UPDATE about departure place: Don’t go to the Lodge– meet at Amazon Park , 28th and Hilyard, to drive up 30th and Spring exit where we will park in the new development. This is an easy hike (3-4 miles) for guests, new (and old) members who want to find out about Obsidians and the Ribbon Trail. Celebrating Earth Day, this is one of four Ridgeline Trail hikes plus a Trail Maintenance project offered this week by Obsidians. We will check out the new housing development, changes to the Ribbon Trail, see the Obsidian Lodge, transplanting checkermallow progress and then hike Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park. Email me if questions, jbjacobsen@comcast.net

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-04-21, 2021-04-07
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.

Baldy to Suzanne Arlie Park
2021-04-19
Meet at Spring Blvd Trailhead (4699 Spring Blvd). Google for better directions than mine: Take Spring Exit off of 30th, turn right – south. it is 1.7 miles to the trailhead. There will be a confusing jog with Firland St.
We will take steep trails (more for dirt bikes) merging off of the Baldy trail to LCC/ Arlie park where we will do an up and down loop on roads and trails back to where started—we hope. If it has rained, it could be slippery. Suzanne Arlie Park is Eugene’s largest single park at 515 acres. The expansive area includes rare prairie and oak habitats, and offers views of Spencer Butte. It is still a relatively wild and remote site, with limited access due to the fact that it is mostly surrounded by private land. Optional at end of hike to continue to the top of Baldy for a view.

Mt Baldy Sunrise
2021-04-18
Early Morning Special Face covering, snack and hydration.

Circle Mt Pisgah
2021-04-18
We will be starting at the South Trail Head parking area. Since it gets full quickly we will meet and so people can carpool if they wish. Parking requires a county park or Buford park pass. Departure location Pisgah Public Market in Pleasant Hill – 35851 Hwy 58. Take the Oakridge exit off of I-5. After 4 miles watch for the Maill on your left after the 76 gas station. Park in the middle of the parking lot by the light pole.
We will circle the mountain with a side trip to the top. This will hit trail numbers 2,4,14E,1 and 3. The number three trail is lightly traveled and by far my favorite. It meanders through oak savannas, vistas of the valley and fields full of bluming Camas flowers.
Trail will likely be muddy in spots. Bring your poles if you are a pole person – not required.

Terwilliger Burn tree planting
2021-04-17
Attention all tree huggers! Cascade Volunteers and Worthy Garden Club are excited to present this volunteer planting event as part of Operation Appleseed’s efforts to plant trees in fire-affected areas of the Willamette National Forest. Let’s join them in this effort! Event Schedule: 10 AM – 1 PM(AGENDA: 9:45 AM volunteer check-in begins, 10:15 safety talk, 10:30 starts Rotation 1, 11:15 Rotation 2, 12:00 Rotation 3, 12:45 start wrapping up)
Location: Cougar Crossing Campground
Each morning, planting volunteers will be divided into 3 crews of 10 upon arrival. Crews will rotate through the following tasks throughout the day:
Clearing and Marking
Digging and Planting
Staking and Finishing
No prior experience is required, and families are welcome to attend! Tools, PPE (except gloves), and refreshments will be provided. Bathrooms are available at the parking area.

Rooster Rock
2021-04-17
Update: Please read the article about Rooster Rock in the online April Bulletin that is now online!! If you want to carpool from Springfield, meet at Weyerhaeuser-McKenzie Natural Area at 42nd St. and 3809 Marcola Road at 8:00 am. Less than an hour drive through the Mohawk Valley to Sweet Home and our 9:00 meeting place at Foster Dam Viewpoint (also called She Viewpoint). It is next to the water but across the highway from the Point Restaurant, 6305 Highway 20. There can be optional carpooling from there to Trout Creek Trailhead where there is limited parking. The trail is narrow so will need a mask when meeting people. It will be a steady pace for the uphill hike. It would be like hiking Mt. Pisgah twice with few stops. From the junction with the old climbers’ Rooster Rock trail, it climbs 750′ in the last half mile. We’ll follow Obsidians social distancing guidelines, and participants will arrange their own transportation.

Diamond Peak
2021-04-17
Diamond Peak is a good introduction to non-technical snow climbing. At 8750 ft, it is the tallest mountain in the Willamette Pass area. We will be climbing via the Pioneer Gulch route, which is 8 miles round trip and almost 4,000 ft of elevation gain.

SOLVE Beach Clean Up
2021-04-17
Since 1986, SOLVE, State Parks, and other partners have come together during spring break to clean the coast. In 2021, for a variety of reasons, SOLVE will be combining the annual Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup and SOLVE It for Earth Day into one statewide event called, Oregon’s Spring Cleanup. This new combined event will be held on Saturday, April 17 and will include any volunteer projects taking place, the week before and after as well, so it will likely be the state’s largest Earth Day event in 2021. Obsidians will participate in cleaning area around Berry Creek, 8 miles north of Florence. Please be aware that we must avoid all ropped grassy areas and other places marked as “Snowy plover nesting ground”. Short orientation will be provided before accessing workplace. Trash bags and gloves will be provided to you on the site. Please join me.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-04-14
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.

52nd Street/Spencer Butte
2021-04-14, 2021-04-07
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.

Mildred Kanipe Wildflower Explora
2021-04-11
Wildflower explora hike in Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park. Rolling hills, wildflowers and beautiful wide open area.
Some areas with Ticks and poison oak.
➯ 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.

North Bank Habit Area
2021-04-10
UPDATE: Darko is going to be the assistant leader as we spread out into two groups. North Bank Habitat is near Roseburg, exit 135, Wilbur, then on North Bank Rd to the West Entrance – around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The scenic up and down loop 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.
One will need to watch for poison oak in a few places. Expect a few sections of the trail to be muddy depending on rainfall in recent days. We should start hiking around 9:30 and complete the hike between 2:30and 3:00. It will be a steady moderate pace with a late lunch so bring some snacks. The elevation gain is like doing Pisgah twice.

Birding in Alton Baker Park
2021-04-06
9:30am- meet by the restrooms in Alton Baker Park. We will amble around the park with naturalist Rick Ahrens looking for birds, butterflies, and bugs. Plan on 2-2.5 hours. Rain or shine.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-04-06
UPDATE: For those who need to register for a FS trail permit at 7:00 am, suggest that you park at the 52nd Willamette Trailhead and depending on the time, start hiking back on Blanton to meet us or start up to the summit. Flexible departure times from 7:00 – 7:15. Sunrise is at 6:44 am. 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.

Mountaineering Conditioning
2021-04-05
Park at the Martin Street Trailhead for the Ridgeline Trail near Frank Kinney Park. We’ll hike up to the summit and back completing about 6 miles and 1500 feet of elevation. I’m planning to use a weighted pack (recommend 20-40lbs in your pack if you want to use training weight), but you’re welcome to hike without weight.

Easter Bunny Rides (again) to Veneta
2021-04-04
Departure Time:10am (Twin Oaks Elementary School,85916 Bailey Hill Rd). Route:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22331831 Make sure your bike is healthy. Have a spare tube, pump, helmet, rain gear, layers, water. and snacks

Thurston Hills
2021-04-04
Yes, A Sunday afternoon hike. We will be walking an old logging road between Wallace Creek Rd and Hills Creek Rd. It is a wide partially paved road that is easy to socially distance on. It goes past a historic cemetery from the 1840’s and has lovely views of the Jasper valley.
Changed to Thurston Hills because road posted as closed

Easter Sunday Sunrise
2021-04-04
Join us for an early morning sunrise hike. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information
