Paulina Lake Car Camp
2023-09-11 00:00 - 2023-09-14 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is a 3-night camping trip to Paulina Lake which is located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument 25 miles south of Bend. We will be camping at Newberry Group Site, Loop B, which is located along the south shore of Paulina Lake. Group site has potable water, vault toilets, fire pit, wooden picnic tables, and a group gathering area. There is plenty of flat space for dispersed tent camping. RVs will camp in our private, paved parking area. Please try to carpool as our reservation is limited to 12 vehicles. PLEASE SCROLL THROUGH THE ENTIRE TRIP DESCRIPTION.
Monday, Sept 11:
Arrive at Newberry Group Campground, Loop B, Deschutes National Forest on your own schedule; 2 pm is the earliest time to check-in, but you can arrive that evening depending on your schedule. Optional activities for the afternoon: bird watching, boating, paddle boarding, swimming, exploring Newberry Crater or hanging out at camp. Note: Paulina Lake Road is steep if you are towing a trailer, but paved the entire way.
Tuesday, Sept 12:
Those interested will hike the 7 mile Paulina Lakeshore loop trail with an Elevation Range of 6330 – 6560 feet. Elevation Change of 230 feet. The trail goes all the way around Paulina Lake and can be accessed from camp. Bird watchers may catch a glimpse of bald eagles and osprey. Those who prefer a shorter hike may opt for a 2 mile trail along the lakeshore to Paulina Lake Resort. Optional activities include driving or hiking to the summit of nearby Paulina Peak and exploring the surrounding area.
Wednesday, Sept 13:
An additional day at the lake for boating, swimming, exploring Newberry Crater or hanging out at camp. Optional activities include driving approx 25 miles north to Lava Lands Visitor Center near Bend which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs or visit Lava River Cave. At a length of 5,211 ft., the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. Bring flashlights for a self-guided exploration of the lava tube.
Thursday, Sept 14:
No planned activities. Check-out by noon.
Cost $26 members (covers 3 nights in the group camp and firewood). Non-refundable.
To secure a place on this trip, sign up online, then send your full payment (payable to Valerie Metcalfe) within 5 days to Valerie Metcalfe. Address can be found in the Obsidian Membership Directory in the Members Area on the website. Email: metcalfev@gmail.com
Meetup/Departure Location: Meet at Newberry Group Camp, Paulina Lake

Fuji Mountain
2023-09-12
We begin our hike off of the Waldo Lake Rd. ascending 3 miles to Birthday Lake for a snack and water break. From Birthday Lake we continue 3 miles upwards to Fuji Mt to take in views of Waldo Lake and the surrounding Cascade mountains. The hike will be especially interesting because we will be able to see the results of last falls Cedar Creek fire that burned to the Waldo Shoreline. On the return trip a stop at Verde Lake will provide a drink and rest stop. If weather is poor and visibility minimal there is an option of not climbing Fuji but instead we can follow the South Waldo trail to Upper Island lake for lunch and continue south to the Mt Ray Trail and back on the Gold Lake Trail. The distance for this alternative is 11 miles. The trip is listed as difficult due to the mileage and elevation gain. However, the pace will be relaxed and moderate with stops. For those able to go the distance but do not want to do a fast paced hike, this hike is for you.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-09-12, 2023-09-19, 2023-09-26, 2023-10-03
We will start on time at 6:45am. 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.
There are 2 ways to get to the trailhead:
1. 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.
2. 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
2023-09-13, 2023-09-27, 2023-10-04
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.

GameNight!
2023-09-14
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. (No trip credit earned for this event)

Mount Hubris- Castle Crags
2023-09-15 00:00 - 2023-09-16 23:59, 2023-10-06 00:00 - 2023-10-07 23:59
The climb up Mt Hubris is a multi-pitch rock climb (rated 5.6) on beautiful granite. We will be rising early for the steep approach then reaching the summit in the early afternoon. To get off the mountain we will do two rappels, then hike back out and drive home.

Finley:PigeonButte/CheadleMarsh
2023-09-17
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the east side near the main entrance and Hwy 99. We will carpool from there. Our route will be 99W > W on Bruce Road (Gravel) > making a bathroom stop at the McFadden Marsh parking area, then a quarter of a mile to the Pigeon Butte parking area.
This is nature-viewing hike to the highest point on the refuge for great views of the Willamette Valley. Look for band-tailed pigeons and songbirds on this part of the trail. On our return hike, we pass over to the the Cheadle Marsh Trail to observe a wetland. Look for Great Blue Herons, also observe any wetlands plants that have been influenced by the autumn water level.
Lunch will be somewhere on the trail. Dress for the weather. We plan to return to the Jerry’s parking lot between 3pm and 4pm.

Midnight Lake
2023-09-17
Midnight Lake is a beautiful snow shoe destination, and I’m looking forward to checking it sans snow! A good part of the trail is forest service road. The trip is rated moderate, but leans more toward easy. If you’ve not hiked this before and have questions about your ability, please give me a call.
Should be warm, we’ll stop at the lake for an early lunch. For those interested, a quick swim is an option.
Carpool: drivers needed, please sign up if you’re able. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass.
Arrive to Lane CC by 8:20am

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-09-20
TRAIL WORK IS DONE!! STARTING FROM MARTIN STREET AGAIN
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.

Mt. Pisgah Sunset/Autumn Equinox
2023-09-22
This is the First day of Autumn and sunset is at 7:09. Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. The current plan is to take 17, 7, 4 and 1 with an optional shorter route of #7 and #3 to the main trail. The moonrise is 3:17 pm so we will head down as soon as the sun sets. Call me if you have questions, have never hiked Mt. Pisgah or need to start earlier. 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.
Yellow jackets have been a nuisance on the summit.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-09-22
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, 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. Remove any valuables from your vehicle. There is a porta potty at the trailhead.

Finley: Snag Boat Bend Loop
2023-09-22
Snag Boat Bend is a seperate unit of the much larger William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge located a few miles west. A centerpiece of ths property is an old meander of the Willamette River, an oxbow lake. Our 3-4 mile hike will make a loosely-shaped figure eight. During our return, if possible, we will cross a low causeway across Lake Creek back to the main trail. This can only be done during the driest times of the year.
There are reports of herons, osprey, warblers, and beaver in the area. Look for blackberry, cottonwood, alder, ash, and big-leaf maple. This hike is exploratory for the trip leader.
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the northeast side of the main parking area (close to where Theona Dr. meets Hwy 99). We will carpool from there. Our driving route will be 99N > Junction City > 99E through Harrisburg > N on Peoria Road to the Snag Boat Bend parking area. The drive to Snag Boat Bend will require about half an hour. We will visit the ‘Country Bakery’ on our drive up. Bring your lunch and dress for the weather. We should be returning to the Jerry’s parking area between 2 &3 pm.

National Public Lands Day
2023-09-23
For this outing we will be clearing and readying the drainage ditches along the Ridgeline Trail in Spencer Butte Park. Depending on group size we will hike to either Fox Hollow or the Tie Trail Junction and work our way back to Willamette and 52nd.
Meet at the Willamette and 52nd parking lot, the small gravel lot on Willamette. Work party goes from 9am-12pm.

Beach clean-up
2023-09-23
Please don’t be late! We will leave promptly at 8:30 AM. From Target W11, Eugene we will carpool to Baker Beach trailhead, ten miles north of Florence.
As a part of 2023 National Public Lands Day celebration, Obsidians will participate in cleaning grassy sand dunes between Baker Beach trailhead and Berry Creek. If you plan to meet the group at the trailhead; Please be at Baker Beach Trailhead parking lot around 9:50AM. Trailhead GPS coordinates are 44.0874, -124.1178. Trash bags, gloves and short orientation will be provided to you on the site. Our work will be done by 1PM.

Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds Finley: Beaver & Cattail Ponds
2023-09-24
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the east side near the main entrance and Hwy 99. We will carpool from there. Our route will be 99W > W on Bruce Road (Gravel) > making a bathroom stop at the McFadden Marsh parking area, then 1.25 miles to the Beaver/Cattail Pond Parking Area.
This is nature-viewing hike to look for wood ducks, grebes, and mergansers, and other critters at the ponds. This section of the hike is 2.5 mile lollipop loop w/ 100 ft. elevation gain.
After this section we return to our cars and drive back to the McFadden Trail for a short half-mile trail (round-trip) to McFadden’s Marsh to visit a bird-blind, look for raptors and shore birds. There is a side trail that we might explore for another half mile.
Lunch will be somewhere on the trail. Dress for the weather. We plan to return to the Jerry’s parking lot between 3pm and 4pm.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-09-28
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box.. Moonrise is 6:56 and sunset is 6:58. (Full Moon is September 29) ,
We will take Trails 7,3 and 1 (main trail). Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions or if you have never hiked Mt. Pisgah. 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.

Birding in Colombia - Randy Sinnott (Potluck & Presentation)
2023-09-29 18:05 - 20:30
Did you know there are over 10,000 bird species in the world… and Colombia has about one-fifth of them? This spring, our fellow Obsidians member, Randy Sinnott, went on a three-week birding tour of Colombia with a focus on listing birds, i.e., finding the most species. He traveled from Santa Marta to Bogota to Cali and listed over 500 species! He will give us his impressions of the country, the people, landscapes and, of course, all the incredible birds he saw. Expect to be wowed by the incredible photos of birds in his avian presentation.

Cleawox & Bear, Hike & Swim
2023-09-30
Obsidians hike and swim outing. This early autumn adventure will happen a few miles south of Florence.
For parking: State Park pass or day-use fee.

Maxwell Butte
2023-09-30
This should be a nice fall hike up to a great viewpoint. I’m not a fan of hiking in the rain so this trip will be cancelled if the weather forecast doesn’t improve. Some of us will be stopping at Takodas after the hike.
*The weather now looks great for this hike so this trip is a go.

Rosary Lakes
2023-10-02
This lovely mountain hike begins at a PCT parking area immediately after Willamette Pass ski area. The PCT passes through a beautiful mixed forest with an occasional glimpse of Odell Lake and Diamond Peak. As we approach Lower Rosary Lake, the climb increases a bit. Rosary is lovely with Pulpit Rock rising to the west. The path continues past Middle and Upper Rosary Lakes, with a view point a half mile beyond the lakes. This will be the turnaround point. Snacks and lunch breaks can happen along the way. Those who are swimmers may certainly enjoy a dip in 1, 2 or all 3 lakes.

Scott & Hand Lake “Love a Lake” cleanup
2023-10-05
Please meet at Scott Mountain Trail Head located at Scott Lake by 10 AM. Carpooling is encouraged, and we will start at 8 AM from Albertson’s parking lot, intersection of South 58th and Main Street, Springfield. We head out Hwy 126 and it takes about 2 hours driving time.
This is a workparty at both Scott & Hand Lakes—both lakes are easily accessed from Hwy 242. This is a “Love a Lake” stewardship project in collaboration with the Cascade Volunteers. We will be cleaning 18 campgrounds at Scott Lake as well taking apart fire rings at dispersed campgrounds located near Hand Lake.
This activity is for all skill levels—easy hikers encouraged! Please talk with me about your interest in visiting Dee Wright Observatory or continuing on to Sisters after our work is completed. If there is interest—there are optional 4 to 7 mile hike out & back, a Scott Mountain loop trail, or a shorter hike to Hand Lake. I would provide a shuttle from Hand back to Scott Lake.

Skinner Butte Work Party
2023-10-07
Meeting place:
Skinner Butte parking lot just northwest of the Cambell Community Center
Come help steward hundreds of newly planted native trees, shrubs and ferns along the river at Skinner Butte Park. Volunteers will help weed around and re-flag native plants that were planted last winter to help improve habitat along this stretch of the Willamette River.

Clear Lake
2023-10-07
If you hate those frantic mornings where you don’t have time to make yourself a decent breakfast or even a cup of coffee, this is the hike for you! Just roll out of bed and meet us in Springfield at 7:30.
We’ll start with breakfast together at Craig’s Lucky Logger in Walterville before continuing on to Koosah Falls, where we will park and hike down the west side of the McKenzie to the reservoir, where we will cross over to the east side and follow the river past the waterfalls to the trail to Clear Lake. We’ll circle the lake counter clockwise and have lunch around the resort before continuing back to Koosah Falls along the west side of the McKenize River. Optional stop at Takoda’s on the way back., so be sure to talk to your driver about that.
Fall foliage should be in full swing and the skies should be clear and sunny.

North Bank Habit Area
2023-10-07
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. We should start hiking around 9:30 and complete the hike around 2:30. It will be a steady almost moderate pace, gathering on the hill tops to enjoy the views. Easy to avoid poison oak. Plan for a snack break at a picnic table and then a late lunch. 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.
