Summit Steps
2021-10-30
For this outing we will get the main trail ready for fall by cleaning the summit steps and removing leaves from the main trail.
Meet at the main Willamette Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette Street.

Mt Yoran- Halloween Costume
2021-10-30
This is a Halloween costume climb of Mount Yoran. We will first scramble up the main mountain not in costume since it is a class 3 rock climb and so requires hands as well as feet. After downclimbing that we will hike over to the adjacent peak and have our Halloween costume party on top.
If you do not wish to climb Yoran, but want to participate in the costume event, you can wait at Divide Lake and we’ll pick you up to go scramble up the adjacent peak, which is non-technical.

Mt Pisgah
2021-10-31
We can adjust mileage if the weather does not cooperate. Park at the Main Parking lot. Look for us two or three rows below the fee box. We will head out on the lower road and then along the river to the North Trailhead and then take Trail 3, 4, 1 to the summit. We have longer and shorter options on how to return to the main parking lot . Please be familiar the COVID protocols on the website.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-11-02, 2021-11-09, 2021-11-16
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.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-11-03
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15-8:30. NEXT WEEK SWITCH TO 9AM START
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.

Pioneer Cemetery Walk
2021-11-04, 2021-11-09
Historian/storyteller Randy Gudeika will lead a 2 mile walk through Pioneer Cemetery, Thursday, November 4 , 1 to 3pm. At this historically invaluable site he will tell haunting stories of tragedies, forgotten wars, murder, as well as intriguing Eugeneans. This will be his 16th individual walking tour of old areas of Lane County since 2018. His walks are based on extensive research, are factually true, and entertaining. Meet at the cemetery side of E 18th & Potter, across from Central Lutheran Church. this is a saunter around the cemetery, not a conditioning hike. there will be standing and listening so you may want to bring layers to keep warm. You may wish to offer Randy a voluntary honorarium of up to $5-$10 which is what he typically receives when offering tours to the public. Not required, optional.

Nature Photography @ Spencer
2021-11-05
To take in slowly, perhaps with photography, whatever fall color remains midway through autumn, we’ll walk up to the “Meadow” and turn right onto the trail toward Fox Hollow. We’ll turn around at the huge fallen Douglas-fir that fell across the trail in the ice storm of Feb. 2016. Bring binoculars, in case we encounter birds, chickarees (https://animalia.bio/douglas-squirrel), and magnifier lenses for tiny wonders. May take 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Meetup/Departure Location: Main Spencer Butte Trailhead steps

Salmon River Ramble
2021-11-05 00:00 - 2021-11-07 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is a low-elevation late-fall western-cascade river-bottom backpack through enchanting primeval old-growth forest along the pristine Salmon River. The Salmon River itself is precious and rare in that it is an unusual nursery for all native Trout, Steelhead, King, Coho and Silver Salmon. Depart, Friday afternoon, 2.5 hour drive to Salmon River TH near Zigzag OR. Hike upriver approx. 3.5 miles to basecamp. Saturday, day hike the river up-and-back approx. 10 miles through impressive monumental forest passing a half-dozen ethereal wonderous waterfalls. Sunday pack up & hike out.

Mt Pisgah (long)
2021-11-06
Updated: Rain is predicted so there are some alternatives to hike with there are more trees and to head down once on the summit. Park at the Main Parking lot but MEET by the BATHROOMS across from the Pavilion. From there we will take Trail 5, Trail 56 and then Trail 6 to the summit (3.5 miles). On the way back we will hike down on Trail 2, Trail 46. and up Trail 4 to Trail 3, and Trail 7. Then on to the North Trailhead and returning along the river. Please be familiar with the COVID protocols on the website. Allow 3 1/2 hours. We can adjust if weather does not cooperate. This is like climbing Pisgah twice.

McKenzie River Trust Stewardship
2021-11-07
Obsidians volunteer day at Green Island with McKenzie River Trust. Our 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM likely projects include willow harvest, planting and invasive species removal. Details will be posted few days before the project date.
Green Island is located 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.

Thurston Hills Vista Loop
2021-11-07
North Trail Head parking lot off Main Street in East Springfield. You will see the entrance on the right just past Springfield Memorial Cemetery.
There is a brand new loop added off the summit of the existing trail. It has amazing features and vistas. It just opened but will not be advertised to the public until next year. This will be a one-way hike with shuttle. I will ask three cars to meet me ahead of time at the trail head off Bob Straub and ride with me to the east trail head. Then we can shuttle the group back.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-11-10
NOTE: TIME CHANGE Flexible departure time from 8:45-9:00.
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.

Goodman Cr to Eagles Rest
2021-11-10
We will park at the Hardesty Mountain Trailhead along highway 58, near milepost 20. We’ll follow the Goodman Creek Trail for 2 miles and will see a waterfall and log bridge. Continuing up the trail includes ferns, moss and trees along the stream. At 4 miles the trail crosses a road and continues for 1.7 miles to Ash Swale Shelter. Further uphill for a mile takes us to Eagles Rest with a view of the Lost Creek Valley. We can have lunch at Eagles Rest and enjoy a downhill return to the trailhead.

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2021-11-11, 2021-11-13
Meet at the Obsidian Lodge to start the hike on the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park. This is an opportunity to find out about the Obsidians, get acquainted with members, and visit our lodge. The Lodge is hard to find so I suggest you get directions and map from Obsidian home page
Drive past the Laurelwood Golf Course, turn right on Spring Blvd, a one lane road. Spring Blvd deadheads, turn left and immediately look for the Obsidians Inc. sign and gate(driveway) to your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions. Email if any questions: jbjacobsen@comcast. net

Silver Falls
2021-11-11
We’ll park at the South Falls Lodge and start our clockwise loop of the trail there. It’s a well maintained trail, but still, it will be slippery, so wear shoes with good treads and bring poles if you think you might need them.
The long range forecast so far says no rain on the 11th, but you never know, and in any case, it gets wet behind the waterfalls.
Silver Falls is a state park, so parking will be $5 and your Geezer pass won’t work here.

Birding at Delta Ponds
2021-11-12
Meet at the Valley River Center parking lot nearest to the pedestrian/bike bridge across the Willamette. Rick Ahrens is our expert birder guide. We’ll meander around the Delta Ponds area on both sides of Goodpasture Road looking for birds and possibly other critters like nutria or otters. Plan on about 2 hours. Rain or shine unless the forecast is for a downpour all day. Binoculars are highly recommended.

560 and Forest Discovery Loop
2021-11-13
Note: change in departure time. This is a moderate, good work out (elevation in first 1/2 of hike) loop trail just north east of Corvallis, just beyond the Peavey Arboretum. We may be lucky and see lingering fall colors. Be prepared for muddy conditions, although right now Saturday is looking clear of rain.
For those who joined me last year on the OSU McDonald Forest explora, this is the trail system on the opposite side from where we hiked. Trailhead and parking area is on highway 99, cross street is Vandenburg Ave.
We’ll meet at Jerry’s Home improvement on highway 99 northeast corner of the parking lot, closest to the exit and follow each other. Please arrange your carpool ahead of time, if you need a ride and please arrive no later than 8:50 am so we can leave on time.
No bathroom facilities at the trail head, we’ll make a quick stop in Corvallis. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/560-and-forest-discovery-loop?p=40003114

Row River Trail, whole length
2021-11-14
We will bike whole lenghth of Row River Trail, starting from Bohemia Park in Cottage Grove, along Dorena Lake to the Culp Creek and back. Good bike path with no traffic. Will stop few times for snack and rest.
➽ Obsidian social distancing safety protocols. Refer to main website page for latest information.

Eel Creek
2021-11-14
We will leave Eugene via I-5 heading south to Drain exit. We will stop in Elkton at bakery for coffee and bathroom break. Then on to Dean Creek Elk Reserve. With luck there will be elk and a second bathroom break. Then on to trailhead south of Winchester. The dunes in this area are some of the highest and motorized traffic is prohibited. We will hike across the dunes out to the trail that leads through the deflation plane to the beach. This portion of the trail can include wading. Because of all the rain the probability is high. Depending on weather conditions we can spend some time on the beach. I have led this as a loop depending on the amount of water at north end. The return is through Florence. This trip will not be canceled due to weather as the weather has provided some of the best trips.

Coburg Ridge Preserve
2021-11-15
This hike is co-sponsored by the Obsidians’ Conservation/Science/Education Committee and The Nature Conservancy, and is for Obsidian members only.
The hike is located on a 1,244-acre permanent conservation easement granted to The Nature Conservancy by the John Jaqua family. The property extends across McKenzie View Drive up into the Coburg Hills in a mile-wide swath that harbors native hilltop prairies, oak habitats, and haunts for at least 25 at-risk species.
Coburg Ridge Preserve is the largest privately owned nature sanctuary in the Willamette Valley. The property is not be open to the public, except for tours by The Conservancy.
MEETUP LOCATION: We will meet at Papa’s Pizza on Coburg and drive over to the property together. Please be on time. Masks will be needed for carpooling and participants must be vaccinated.
Each participant will need to sign two waivers: the Obsidian signup sheet/liability acceptance plus The Nature Conservancy waiver (related to COVID-19 risk and certification of health insurance).
NOTE ABOUT THE TRAIL CONDITIONS: The last half mile is quite steep (no switchbacks) with slippery footing. There may be a few downed, smallish trees across the lower parts of the trail Be prepared for some log-hopping just in case, as well as some potential cross country travel without a trail.
Questions? Please call/email member, Kay Coots. Meetup/Departure Location: Papa’s Pizza, 1577 Coburg, Park n’ Ride

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-11-17
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:45 to 9:00.
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 Sunset/Moonrise
2021-11-18
Moonrise is 4:30 pm and sunset is 4:42pm The Full Moon is the next night. This will be the long hike on Trail 4 and then going up Trail 2. Look for us by my car a row or two or three down from the fee box. We can adjust the mileage depending on the weather. 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. Obsidian COVID protocols will be followed.

Toiletries for First Place Family
2021-11-19
Instead of socks, bring toiletries such as full bottles of shampoo to drop off at the First Family Center. Our 4 mile amble will mainly be on the bike path and Adidas Oregon Trail/Rexius Trail through Amazon Park. Email Janet Jacobsen @ comcast.net if you have questions or want to donate but not do the walk. For more information, see their website: https://www.svdp.us/news/article/first-place-program-wish-lists Possible items to donate: : Kleenex Tissues, boxes, Sanitizing Surface Wipes , Q-tips, Combs and Hairbrushes, Deodorant, Shampoo & Conditioner , Toothbrushes

Larison Creek
2021-11-20
Meet at Pisgah Public Market in Pleasant Hill – Take the Oakridge exit off of I-5. After 4 miles watch for the mall on your left after the 76 gas station. Park in the middle of the parking lot by the light pole.
Larison Creek is a great winter hike that is not in town. The trail head is a few miles past Oakridge on Hills Creek Reservoir. We follow a small river inlet along the reservoir and then up the river. We will stop for lunch at the “summer swimming hole

North Fork Willamette
2021-11-20
We will start at the beginning of second leg of trail and continue into the third section as far as we like before retracing our steps back to our cars. This trail follows the river through a mixed forest that has been recently thinned in the last couple of years. Be prepared for muddy trail and dripping trees.

Larison Rock
2021-11-21
This is a low end difficult hike which while short distance overall climbs about 1700 feet in the first two miles, a steady grade. From there to the top, the grade lessens, and the rock has modest views to the south and is itself quite impressive. Arrive at the TH about 0945-1000, on top by lunch, then back down 1330 (1:30) or 1400 (2:00), at the latest. It’s a short drive, decent trail used for mountain bikes, and is a nice workout close to town.
