The Obsidians

Mt Thielsen
2021-06-19
Thielsen is a super fun mountain to climb. Its a lovely hike, a slightly spicy ridge, then we rope up and climb one pitch on great steep rock to a great summit.
This is a great first technical climb, you will love it! Meetup/Departure Location: Trailhead

Juneteenth Sunrise
2021-06-19
Are you ready for the longest day of the year 2021?
Early morning hike along the Willamette River and through several local parks.
Meet at Maurie Jacobs Park, Fir Ln, Eugene 97404, (44.065663, -123.115089).
Please be on time, we will leave promptly at 4:44 AM to see the sunrise at the top of Skinner Butte at 5:29 AM

Mt Pisgah Summer Solstice
2021-06-20
Look for us by my car, two or three rows down from the fee box at the gate. Moonrise is at 4:21pm and the sunset is at 8:58pm. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If it is raining, we will not linger.

E2C Aubrey Mountain Loop
2021-06-20
Hike along Middle Fork Willamette River near Oakridge. Top is at 2,994 ft.
—> Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for full information.

Eugene Hidden Art Walk
2021-06-20
This walk is to see which micro-art pieces survived in downtown Eugene during the time of Covid. We will view some of the larger murals, but focus on the smaller pieces. Plan to walk 3 miles in total and several flights of stairs. On the return walk, we will be stopping by an ice cream shop provided it is open (optional). Meet at the free 3-hour parking area near the Buffalo Exchange Store (44.05477, -123.0910). We should be finished by 11:30 am.

Belknap Crater
2021-06-21
I was able to get six additional hiking permits for a total of 12. This will be the first day that the old McKenzie Pass is open. We should have a great hike. We will explore the trail to little Belknap crater and big Belknap crater.

E2C Pisgah
2021-06-21
A short, easy section of the Eugene to Crest goes around the south side of Mt. Pisgah. We’ll walk out trail 5 to the junction to with trail 2. Then it’s a little bit further to the east entrance trail head. This is the point where the Eugene to Crest Route follows roads heading to Elijah Bristow State Park and the Dexter area. Look for bike rides covering this part of the E2C. From the east entrance we will simply retrace our steps back to the main parking lot. Check out the E2C bike ride which covering the road to Elijah Bristow on June 27.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-06-22
The name is the same but the path is different! Because of the City’s work to improve the Tie Trail our path to the top of the butte is closed. Instead of going up the Tie trail we’ll continue to follow the Ridgeline Trail east and complete the Dillard trails loop
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.

U of O Campus Walk
2021-06-22
Meeting place: Steps of Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Buildings will not be accessible; bathroom break possible at Starbucks or Market of Choice on Franklin. UO COVID policy allow going without masks outdoors as of May 20; masks required inside buildings. (If you have not received the Advance notes, email joanna at joalexgypsy@gmail.com)
We’ll walk at a leisurely pace around basically a wide perimeter of campus, including the new Knight Science Campus across Franklin. Summer is almost here; let’s see how the landscape differs from the last season.
Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-06-23
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00The name is the same but the path is different! Because of the City’s work to improve the Tie Trail our path to the top of the butte is closed. Instead of going up the Tie trail we’ll turn left at Fox Hollow and take the lower trail to reach Dillard Road. At the Dillard Trailhead we’ll take the right hand trail to reach the summit of Mt Baldy. The mileage and elevation given is based on this route. There are options for extending or making variations to this route. Any changes will be at the discretion of the leader
Every Wednesday for several years we’ve done 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. 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 Sunset/Moonrise
2021-06-23
Moonrise is at 8:21 pm and sunset 8:59. One day before the full moon. Look for us by my car, two or three rows down from the fee box at the gate.. We will take Trail 7 to Trail 4 intersecting with the Main trail. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If it is raining, we will not linger.

Browder Ridge
2021-06-25
6/16 Update: Meet behind the McDonalds at Hwy 126 and Main Street in Springfield. Please arrive early as we will depart at 8:00 am sharp. Traffic delays are likely on Hwy 126 in the morning, but less so on our return. The trail is narrow and rocky in places, and there is some blowdown to maneuver around, so bring poles if you use them. The trail switchbacks up over half of the total elevation gain in the first 1.4 miles, then arrives at a viewpoint for a well-earned break. Our pace will be steady but relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fine wildflowers and excellent views of the peaks. A broad, rocky overlook will be a great place for lunch. We will probably not take the unmaintained part of the trail to the summit because of difficult trail conditions, which would reduce the total mileage and elevation gain. Send me an email if you have a question.

Fern Ridge picnic and games
2021-06-25
Bring blankets or chairs, picnic dinner and games (Frisbee, Badminton, Croquet Set, Ball, Cornhole, Horseshoes etc..)
We have no set program so enjoy evening with Obsidians friends, eat, play, swim, stroll around, leave early, or stay for sunset watch at 9PM. Temperature forecast is HOT, so have your choice of sun protection and hydration.
Orchard Point Park location > 44.11406, -123.27506 !! Reminder: No dogs, firearms, illegal drugs or alcohol are allowed on any Obsidian trip. Meetup/Departure Location: Orchard Point Park

Mt Adams
2021-06-25 00:00 - 2021-06-27 23:59, 2021-07-02 00:00 - 2021-07-03 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
We will be climbing the standard route on Mt Adams. It is on the southside and is accessed via Cold Springs trailhead. We’ll be camping near the “lunch counter” which is at 9,000 ft. The summit is at 12,276 ft. The glissade down from the summit is legendary.

Spencer Butte from Fox Hollow
2021-06-26
The tie Trail is open on week-ends. Start early to avoid the heat. See the work on the Tie Trail and see the view from the top of the Butte. If you need a longer hike, you can always add Amazon Headwaters before or after. Meetup/Departure Location: Fox Hollow Parking lot

Devil's Staircase/Dark Grove
2021-06-27
We will make a loop hike through the dense old growth forest of the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness that was officially designated in 2019. This the largest area of old-growth forest remaining in the Coast Range, and the trees are enormous. However there are no maintained trail nor trailheads in this area, but we will follow some faint user trails and elk trails along a route the Obsidians hiked twice before, from one informal trailhead to another, with a return by a logging road.
Please be advised that this is a off-trail, bushwhack trip that requires crawling over and under countless logs, through thickets of devil’s club, vine maple and nettles, and climbing up and down steep creek banks. Our progress will be slow and we will need to take extra precautions to keep the group together. There are no fine views or sights to see, but we will be immersed in the forest. The final two miles of driving are on a very rough and overgrown road. I will scout the trip in early June and depending upon the road conditions it may be necessary to consolidate the hikers into one or two HCV for the approach. Loop is about 5 very difficult miles with a 900 ft elevation loss, then gain. About half of that 5 miles is on user’s trail or bushwhack, while the other half on old logging roads along the ridges.

E2C bike Pleasant Hill to Dexter
2021-06-27
NOTE: Time change! This bike ride is part of the Eugene to Pacific Crest Trail (E2C) connection. For details about the E2C project, see the May Bulletin. You just might win a prize for both biking and hiking sections of the trail! We will meet at the Pleasant Hill shopping center across Highway 58 from Dairy Queen (east side of the parking lot near the coffee kiosk). We will bike on low traffic roads past the east trailhead on Mt Pisgah; the turnaround point will be the Dexter Lake Club where some scenes in the movie “Animal House” were filmed. Bathroom and snack stop at Elijah Bristow State Park. The following link has the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36423489

Macduff Mountain
2021-06-28
This hike will be the 90th anniversary of the placing of a brass plaque on Macduff Mt to honor Nelson Macduff, a former forest service supervisor and Obsidian member. This year I’ll be doing the shorter route to the summit from road 411. The trail is a beautifully engineered trail up a steep ridge through a well shaded forest with bountiful wildflowers, great views of Sawtooth Ridge, and a clear view from the summit of the Oregon Cascades from Mt Hood to Diamond Peak. It is a rough and steep gravel road to the trailhead that is not suitable for low clearance vehicles. If you don’t know Macduff’s location, see the July 2012 trip report on The Report Page.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-06-29
The name is the same but the path is different! Because of the City’s work to improve the Tie Trail our path to the top of the butte is closed. Instead of going up the Tie trail we’ll continue to follow the Ridgeline Trail east and complete the Dillard trails loop
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.

West Trail Steps
2021-06-30
We will continue our project from 2 months ago to add steps to the upper West Trail.
Meet at the main Willamette Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette Street.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-06-30
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45-8:00
The name is the same but the path is different! Because of the City’s work to improve the Tie Trail our path to the top of the butte is closed. Instead of going up the Tie trail we’ll turn left at Fox Hollow and take the lower trail to reach Dillard Road. At the Dillard Trailhead we’ll take the right hand trail to reach the summit of Mt Baldy. The mileage and elevation given is based on this route. There are options for extending or making variations to this route. Any changes will be at the discretion of the leader
Every Wednesday for several years we’ve done 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. 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
2021-06-30
Meet at main parking area look for my blue Honda CRV – will park furthest row away from trail head. We’ll take 17 /7/ 3 / 4 to the top and back down 1 /3 /7.
The pace is geared for conditioning, if you have any questions give me a call.
Please bring water!

Bachelor Mt. Via Bugaboo Ridge
2021-06-30
This is a moderate hike with a lot of bang. Great flowers and terrific views of Mt. Jefferson.

Bachelor Mt. via Bugaboo Ridge
2021-06-30
Views of Mt Jefferson and wildflowers are the highlights of this trip.

Williams Lake Backpack
2021-06-30 00:00 - 2021-07-02 23:59
Williams lake is one of my favorite scenic mountain lakes. It is in the middle of the Erma Bell Lakes Loop – about 4 miles. It is a great swimming lake with many flat spots for tents. Hopefully we will be after the snow but before the mosquitoes hit hard.
We will meet at my house in Thurston which several cars can be parked safely. Hopefully some can carpool to my house. We will stay two nights with a day in between to explore side trails. I will email mail more details a week from the trip. This would be a great backpack for a beginner. Please email or call me with any questions.

Horsepasture Mountain
2021-07-01
This is a great workout hike with abundant wildflowers and great views from the summit. We’ll start this hike from road 1993 on what’s called Saddle Mountain trail 3326 which switchbacks up 1575 feet in 2.2 miles to the standard Horsepasture trail. From there we’ll climb another 700 feet to the summit.

Perpetua + Loop Hike
2021-07-01 00:00 - 2021-07-02 23:59
Escape the heat! We are staying at the spacious Group Camp at Cape Perpetua for one night. This trip will allow for lots of time to explore side trails, the beach area. The (optional) loop hike is the 6.5-mile Cook’s Ridge, Gwynn Creek & Oregon Coast Trail loop. This will be moderately-paced with lots of opportunities for taking pictures, double-checking nature guides, and learning more about really big Sitka Spruce, the Tree-of-Life, and other fauna.
This trip begins at the Cape Perpetua Group Camp (44.2805, -124.0942). The trip leader has paid for this site in advance, please pay the trip leader $15 per person (Obsidian trip fee is additional). Participants are responsible for arranging their travel to/from the site. Bring all your food, tents, etc. Be prepared for all types of coastal weather. If we are allowed a fire by the Forest Service, everyone should pitch in a dollar for firewood.
Thursday, July 1st:
The trip leader will be at the group camp by 6 pm, but you are welcome to arrive anytime after 2pm. The afternoon and evening times are open for exploring Cape Perpetua or grabbing a bite to eat in Yachats.
Friday, July 2nd:
In the morning, we pack up camp and drive a short distance to the main parking area by the Visitor’s Center. We will hike (again, this hike is optional) 6.5 miles on the Cook’s Ridge, Gwynn Creek, Oregon Coast Trail loop. This involves 1,000 feet of elevation gain over the first 2.2 miles, then is all downhill. Bring lunch/snacks/water as we will take a break at the Cook’s Ridge/Gwynn Creek Trail junction then return via the Gwynn Creek Trail. Afterward, return home or hang out on the coast. The plan is to be finished and return to Eugene (latest by 5pm) before most of the Holiday weekend traffic leaves town.

Berry Creek & beach, cleanup
2021-07-03
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.

Berry Creek & beach, cleanup
2021-07-03
CHANGE OF LOCATION> Due to increased concern about snowy plover nesting areas, our July 3 2021 beach clean-up is moved to the different location. New location is Florence’s North jetty. https://goo.gl/maps/TcFnabiH5SRtDJHw6
We will meet at Target W11, Eugene and carpool to the Florence’s North Jetty 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.
