Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2022-05-17, 2022-05-24, 2022-05-31
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
2022-05-18
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.

Pacific Source hike
2022-05-19
Special Outreach project. Through Travel Lane County we’ll accompany members of a Pacific Source group on the trails of Buford Park and the Arboretum. Some of this group might want to go to the top and other just a wander through the Arboretum.
Some of the people will be from the Eugene/Springfield area and we can encourage them to check out more of our activities. We also want to make a connection to Travel Lane County. Since we know that many new members people in transition (like moving to our area) we should become an organization the Travel Lane County suggests to newcomers.

Marys Peak North Trail
2022-05-19
We will drive to Junction City, backroads to Philomath, Highway 20 to Woods Creek Road to the North Ridge Trailhead #1350. That part of the road is gravel. It is 4.4 mile up to the day use Observation Point /parking lot/toilets, and another .6 miles (with wildflowers I hope) to the top of Marys Peak (3750 ft). We should start the hike around 9:30—depending on how long it takes us to navigate Eugene traffic. It is marked as moderate but the elevation is two Pisgahs. Target opens at 8:00 so bathrooms would be available. There are none at the trailhead.

Pisgah Loop Hike
2022-05-20
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 trail #2 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. I plan to lunch at the Sunrise Cafe at the Pleasant Hill strip mall close by afterwards and feel free to join me or not. RI

Pisgah River Loop
2022-05-20
We will walk along the river, through the meadow and explore the Lily Ponds. We will keep a moderate (not slow, not fast) pace.

Marys Peak North Trail
2022-05-20
UPDATE: Trip one day later because of better weather forecast. We will drive to Junction City, backroads to Philomath, Highway 20 to Woods Creek Road to the North Ridge Trailhead #1350. Part of that road is gravel. It is 4.4 mile hike up to the day use Observation Point /parking lot/toilets, and another .6 miles (with wildflowers I hope) to the top of Marys Peak (3750 ft). We should start the hike around 9:30—depending on how long it takes us to navigate Eugene traffic. It is marked as moderate but the elevation is two Pisgahs.
Target opens at 8:00 so bathrooms would be available. There are no convenient ones on the way to trailhead. None at the trailhead.

Rogue River Trail
2022-05-20 00:00 - 2022-05-23 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Backpack the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Wilderness on this 4-day 40-mile trip which requires a car shuttle ($160 per car, advance payment req’d) via a raft outfitter. We’ll observe complex geology, springtime botany and historic sites like the largely intact Whiskey Creek prospector’s homestead. Depart Friday, 2.5 hours to Grave Creek TH. Hike Rogue Trail 6 miles to Russian Creek. Sat 13 miles to Quail Creek. Sun 12 miles to Solitude Bar. Mon 9 miles to Foster Bar TH and vehicle pickup. This is a one-way hike down the Rogue. The drive home can take some time depending on what roads are open. The long option is out Gold Beach and back up the coast.

Amanda Trail
2022-05-21
With construction completed on the new suspension bridge, the historic and beautiful Amanda Trail will be rededicated on May 21 at 1 PM. We will hike from Yachats past the Amanda statue to the Cape Perpetua Lookout for lunch, and then back down to the Amanda Gathering Area in time for the ceremony, which will include speakers from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw, as well as Oregon Parks and Rec. The dedication will conclude around 2:30.
After the dedication concludes, options include a walk in the Ya’Xaik Trail and Gerdemann Garden, to see if the giant Himalayan rhododendrons are blooming, or a walk to the beach in Smelt Sands Park, with surf spouting through cracks in the crumbling lava.
From 5:30 – 6:45 there will be a reception at the Yachats Commons, followed at 7:00 by a performance of the play “Amanda Transcending” by local author Connie Bennett.
I have ten tickets to the dedication, the reception and the play. (Tickets are required but free.) We’re posting this early because you may want to overnight on the coast after the play, and lodgings are likely to be full for this weekend.

Middle Sister
2022-05-21 00:00 - 2022-05-22 23:59
We will be doing the North Ridge Route on Middle Sister. The climb will involve an approximately 5.5 mile hike in from the Pole Cr trailhead on Saturday May 21, then camp and get up early Sunday to climb. Previously on the hike in we have not needed snow shoes but we may this year. Our high camp (~7200’) will not likely have water so we will plan on melting snow though hopefully we’ll find a site where we don’t have to camp on snow. On Sunday we will get up early (4:30 AM) and head for the summit. There is one steep portion of the climb above the saddle between Middle and North, and we will set a fixed line there for safety. After summiting we’ll come back to camp and pack up and hike out.

Pisgah Native Plant Nursery
2022-05-23
When crossing the bridge into the park at Mt. Pisgah immediately turn left and go a quarter mile to the North Trailhead Parking Area where we will meet at 9:30 am for a short introduction.
We will walk a quarter of a mile through the forest identifying plants along the trail to the Nursery. At the Nursery we will visit the plant beds where dozens of species are grown for cuttings or to harvest seeds. There will be opportunity to talk with the staff members and volunteers. We will visit the greenhouse where seedlings are grown. After this there is a tour of the buildings where records are kept and seeds are packaged and put into cold storage. The original nursery at the Kienzle House garden plot is nearby for a quick visit.
The walking is easy and the tour will be over by noon.

Thompson's Mills', Mt. Angel, Oregon Garden
2022-05-24
Load bus 8:00 a.m.
We begin our day by driving the back roads to Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site in Shedd. Volunteer docents will give us an hour-long tour of the last water-powered mill in Oregon. The mill chronicles 160 years of rural life and honors the owners who continually adapted the mill to the changing world around it. After the tour we will take our coffee break at a picnic site located on the grounds. Then we’re off to Mt. Angel Abbey, perched on a hilltop outside the town of Mt. Angel. The 1882 Benedictine Abbey offers an ornate church; the Alvar Aalto designed library; a small museum with an eclectic collection of North American mammals, Native American artifacts, minerals, porcelain figurines, art glass, clerical vestments and artworks; a brewpub where the monks brew beer from hops grown on monastery land. Then it is time for lunch (on your own). We will drive to the Mt. Angel Sausage Company, featuring German cuisine. You may also choose to enjoy lunch at another nearby restaurant or café, or bring your own sack lunch. After lunch we head to the Oregon Garden in Silverton for a guided tour and free time to enjoy the many gardens and gift shop on your own. We will arrive back in Eugene around 5:30 p. m.
COMPLETED 2020 MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM REQUIRED
Cost: Member $60 Non-Member $62 Payment Due: May 24,2022
Please make checks payable to Obsidians Bus Trips
REGISTRATION & MAIL CHECKS TO: Judy Garwood 541-683-5539
4145 East Amazon Drive, Eugene 97405
Meetup/Departure Location: Valley River Center Park & Ride

Horse Rock Ridge
2022-05-24
This short hike is to a large unique meadow close to Eugene to see wildflowers and views of the Cascasde peaks. and the Willmanette valley. The 1/2 mile trail to the meadow area is an old road. The trails in the meadow area are user created and not maintained. They are easy to navigate except for a few short sections that are steep and require some scrambling. Bring trekking poles if you have/need them. The hike in will take about an hour, we will spend an hour exploring the area, and eating lunch, then hike out. People will have the option of stopping at Shogtun Creek Recreation Site and hiking up to 6 additional trail miles in a forest n the afternoon. There is a $3/vehicle fee (or a Golden Age Pass) for parking at the Recreation Site. All roads we will be travelling are paved, however the trailhead and trail are not signed.

Mt Hood
2022-05-24
NOTE: to sign up to climb Mt Hood with the Obsidians you must have completed a Basic Mountaineering course, (either offered by the Obsidians, or an equivalent course offered by another organization), have sufficient previous experience that the climb leader can judge your skill level for the climb or been recommended as skilled and fit for the intended climb by someone known and trusted by the climb leader.

Ridgeline Bridge Repair
2022-05-25
For our first Wednesday evening outing on our summer schedule we will continue our project from last month…replacing the handrails on the 2 bridges.
Meet at the Fox Hollow Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot across Fox Hollow from the Cascade Raptor Center.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2022-05-25
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30. IN JUNE WE START 1/2 HR EARLIER. NEED LEADERS FOR THE SUMMER
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.

52nd/Willamette to Blanton Road
2022-05-25
After work in-town hikes continue!
Park on 52nd street on the west side of Willamette, not at the trail head on Spencers Butte side of the road.
This is a good work-out. If we have different ability levels, I may split into two groups. Please do not be late, we will leave promptly at 6pm. If you have any question about where to meet or have not hiked with Obsidians before, please call or text me.

Mountaineering Conditioning
2022-05-26
The mountains are calling but I don’t want to be the slowest member of the party! What better reason is there to throw heavy, unnecessary things in your pack and hike up something real fast?
We will meet at the main trail head of Mt. Pisgah near the pay station at the gate. 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 will hike up and down, and up and down again on Trail #1. Those who like are invited to bring a dense snack or dinner item to enjoy together at the top after our second assent if the weather is good.

Fort Rock
2022-05-26, 2022-06-02
We’ll circumnavigate the entire rock which is a 1.9 miles mostly level walk, then hike up inside the ramparts and explore the various rock formations; then up to the rim to enjoy the vast desert scenery. Total hiking distance will be about 3.25 miles, with an elevation gain of 300’ for those who go up to the rim.
After 2 – 3 hours of hiking, we’ll visit the Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum in the town of Fort Rock and learn about the fascinating and tragic history of the Fort Rock Valley in the early 1900’s.

May Potluck Party
2022-05-26
It has been over two years since we last had a potluck at the lodge. This potluck party will be a chance to reconnect with people who you may not have seen over the duration. There will be no formal program, just a chance to enjoy good food with good company. Weather permitting, we can be outside for a more open, party-like atmosphere. As with previous potlucks, bring your own table setting and be prepared to take your dirty dishes home to wash.
If people want to bring card games or other games, please do. The party will end at 7:00.

Thurston Hills Vista Loop
2022-05-27
Meet at 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 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. If I can get enough drivers 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. If not we can do an up and back.

Spring Flower Gardens Meander
2022-05-28
A delightful spring stroll through spectacular Schreiner’s Iris and Adelman’s Peony display gardens north of Salem. Bring lunch for a picnic.
Cost – $36 entry fee divided by number of participants – hopefully $6 / person
If I can get extra entry tickets, we will include up to 4 wait listed folks for a total of 10 participants. Meetup/Departure Location: Sheri’s Restaurant – Gateway and Beltline

Masonic Cemetery/Obsidian Lodge
2022-05-30
Departure Place: 25th and University, Main gate with signage—not the dead end road to the Abbey.
We will stroll through the cemetery and then on city streets up to the golf course and by the Obsidian Lodge taking the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park. We might stop at the Bog. The “relaxed” hike will take around 2.5 hours so that we are back at the cemetery by noon for Taps at the Public Square.
Hope Abbey Mausoleum will be open.

Blue Pool and Sahalie Falls
2022-05-31
We will drive past McKenzie Bridge on 126 to the Blue Pool Trailhead. This portion of the hike will be about 4.5 miles. The trail ambles along near the bubbling and beautiful McKenzie River. The destination is the breathtaking Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool), which features the McKenzie River bubbling up from underground. After an enjoyable time,we’ll return to the trailhead and drive 4 miles to Sahalie Falls. This 2.6 mile loop features Sahalie Falls, Koosah Falls, Carmen Reservoir and incredible views of the McKenzie River.

Mt St. Helens- Graduation Climb
2022-05-31 00:00 - 2022-06-01 23:59

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2022-06-01
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45 to 8:00. NOTE TIME CHANGE
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.

Pisgah Flatland Wander
2022-06-02
This quiet wander through the flatland past the quonset hut will eventually take us to the river. We will listen and look for birds and maybe even spot a coyote. Last time we did this, several tree trunks had been well gnawed by beaver. We shall see if any of those trees are still standing. This wander will give us lots of time to enjoy our surroundings.
Dorothy’s cell # is: 458-221-0262. Meetup/Departure Location: Across from restrooms, main parking lot
