The Obsidians

McKenzie River Trust Stewardship
2022-12-03
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, recently adopted by Obsidians. Green Island is located ten 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.

Ray Benson Snowpark
2022-12-05
The weather and snow conditions look great next Monday for a snowshoe trip to Brandenburg shelter. A stop at Takoda’s restaurant after is a real possibility. Note that 8:00am is the departure time so show up a bit early. This trip could be postponed for bad weather.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2022-12-06, 2022-12-13, 2022-12-20, 2022-12-27, 2023-01-03
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
2022-12-07, 2022-12-14, 2022-12-21, 2022-12-28, 2023-01-04
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.

Thurston Hills
2022-12-07
This hike starts on the west side of the Thurston Hills complex. We will start from Quartz park and hike up a new gravel trail (Lower Camas Crest) to the Basalt Rim Trail. We will hike the Cascadian Thumb trail, then come back to the Basalt Rim Trail, and descend using the Upper Camas Crest Trail. Trail surfaces will be packed rock, and then mud/rock!
Here is a map of the trail system:
https://cms2.revize.com/revize/willamalanepror/Documents/Parks%20&%20Trails/THNA%20Winter%20Closures.pdf

Holiday night and Oregon Authors
2022-12-08
UPDATE: If you were signed up for the Dec. 1st walk that was canceled at the last minute because of snow, I will change your status from the wait list to signed up. Meet in front of Prince Pucklers for an hour or so walk around the campus and neighborhood. We could eat at 19th Street Brewery where there is more seating. At 5:30 we will walk a few blocks to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History for their Holiday Night to highlight books and Oregon authors like Marli Miller and Bill Sullivan. Free admission with a donation of canned food. Museum Store features 20% off for museum visitors, and 30% off for members plus hot cider and refreshments. Sunset is at 4:35. I will forward their newsletter with details about the event and/or visit their website. Optional to just meet us at the Museum. Please let me know if that is what you plan to do. jbjacobsen@comcast. net

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2022-12-10
Meet at the Obsidian Lodge to start the hike on the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park and back. This is an opportunity to find out about the Obsidians, get acquainted with members, and visit our lodge. This hike through the woods has a few short bursts of steep up and down hill. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions.
Drive past the Laurelwood Golf Course up 27th St then at the top of the hill turn right onto Spring Blvd, a one lane road. When Spring Blvd ends at a T intersection, turn left and immediately look for the Obsidians sign and driveway on your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. The Lodge is hard to find so if you want to view the map, go to the Obsidian home page. http://obsidians.org/lodgemap.htm

Lebanon trails & Bakery Run
2022-12-10
The city of Lebanon, along with community volunteers, have created more than 50 miles of trails in the last few years. Let’s check it out!
We’ll begin our day on Main Street, where we will pick up sweet and savory treats at Hazella’s Scandinavian Bakery and Sugar Vibes. We’ll take them to the North Shore trailhead, hike its 1.23 miles length, and on the way back, stop at Cheadle Lake to tour the 1-mile Island Loop Trail. Then we’ll drive to McDowell Creek Falls Park for the lovely 1.8 mile waterfall loop.
The Lebanon trails are well-maintained and accessible. The McDowell Creek Falls trail is steep and slippery in places.

Intl. Mountain Day Sunrise
2022-12-11
Mt. Baldy sunrise hike from the Martin Street trailhead.

GAME NIGHT!
2022-12-13
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.

Rosary Lakes
2022-12-14
We will park in the Willamette Pass parking lot and go east past the lifts to the trailhead. This lovely section of the PCT gradually climbs through fir and pine forests with glimpses of Odell Lake and Diamond Peak. Lower Rosary Lake with Pulpit Rock will be our destination. If the group chooses, we can go another half mile to Middle and Upper Rosary. There’s no pressure to do this.

Food for Lane County
2022-12-16
UDATE>, The fairground gates are close. We can park on 16th and Friendly (west of Ohare Cathollic School. ) First we will walk (about two miles) to the new FFlC Distribution Center at 2345 Broadway for a tour with the director and to deliver our checks. Then we head back to connect again with the Fern Ridge Bike Path /optional to add more miles. If you haven’t already donated, please bring a lightweight check or cash to promote our theme, “Carrying each other by feeding others.” Another option is to donate online, possibly a tribute card for the holiday season. https://foodforlanecounty.org/donate/donate-funds/tribute-card/ The Letter Carrier’s Food Drive is November 19. If questions, Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net

Pisgah East Side Loop
2022-12-16
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.

Mt Pisgah Winter Solstice
2022-12-21
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 4:37. Current plan is take Trails 7,3, and 1 to the top. (Some may choose to take Trail 4)We will join a crowd of solstice hikers looking for the sun rays to light up the Mt. Pisgah Sighting Pedestal. The moonset is 2:56 pm. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If you do not have a Lane County pass allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead.
To buy an annual pass and support the trails, check out the websites for Friends of the Buford Park or Mt. Pisgah Arboretum.

Midnight Lake
2022-12-22
We’ll plan on skiing the Midnight Lake loop clockwise, heading up to Midnight Lake via the PCT, then following the connector trail over to Abernethy Road near Bechtel Shelter, and gliding down the road to complete the loop. We might modify this route based on conditions, but will not increase the difficulty. This is an intermediate route, not appropriate for beginner skiers.
If you could possibly drive to Gold Lake Sno-Park, please arrive prepared to drive if necessary. Sno-Park permits are available at Berg’s, REI, Travel Lane County and other stores–if you have one, please bring it whether you’re driving or not.

Alsea & Green Peak Falls
2022-12-24
Easy and short drive. We will hike along South Fork Alsea River to Alsea Falls and Green Peak Falls, and then South Fork Mile trail up to Big Fear trail.
Depending on what’s open some of us will stop on the way home in Monroe or Junction City for refreshment.

Salt Creek Falls
2022-12-27
See water falls, lake, deep woods…..The hike is somewhat level ……cliffs in the area…..Can be difficult if there is a lot of snow…B in shape, which means 2 me that U R active with walking 3 mi, 3 times a week or going to a gym 3 times a wk….

NewYears Day Spencer Butte-Long
2023-01-01
Our 12th annual New Years Day hike will have groups departing from tthree trailheads, hopefully meeting on top for a photo but not impacting other hikers.
We will toast in the New Year and perhaps share a few snacks. Watch for updates if we need to adjust the route or cancel or substitute if there is ice on the steps.

NewYears Day Spencer Butte
2023-01-01
Our 12th annual New Years Day hike will have groups departing from three trailheads, hopefully meeting on top for a photo but not impacting other hikers.
We will toast in the New Year and perhaps share a few snacks. Watch for updates if we need to adjust the route or cancel or substitute if there is ice on the steps.

NewYearsDay Spencer Butte Short
2023-01-01
Our 12th annual New Years Day hike will have groups departing from two trailheads, hopefully meeting on top for a photo but not impacting other hikers.
We will toast in the New Year and perhaps share a few snacks. Watch for updates if we need to adjust the route or cancel or substitute if there is ice on the steps. Meetup/Departure Location: Spencer Butte main (paved) lot on Willamette

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-01-06
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset 4.49 and full moonrise is 4:26. Current plan is take Trails 7,3, and 1 to summit. 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.

Hendricks to Nat.History Museum
2023-01-06
Meet at Hendricks Park by the parking lot across from the shelter at Fairmount and Floral Hill at 8:30 a.m. We will talk the long route, crossing the river and following the Canoe Canal Trail before circling back to the University. All paved or well packed trail, no mud. The Museum is free on Friday, and stopping there is optional.
