The Obsidians

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2022-09-10
We will start by taking the Headwaters trail at the end of Martin St/ Erin Noble Headwaters Park officially renamed by City Council in 2016. It is very short side trail that is part of the Ridgeline Trail System taking us the Amazon Headwater Trail that is being improved. It is interesting to see how the construction is progressing. The pace is moderate and/or almost moderate– possibly we would have two groups once we reach Fox Hollow. You can head down from the summit as fast as you need.
Early start is for heat and to impact fewer people on the trail.

Six Lakes Loop
2022-09-11
Fantastic lakes in Three Sister Wilderness. 1st class swimming opportunities.
From 43.903909, -121.777594 hike 4 miles north on NFDR 4628-162 to Six lakes TH.
Hike Six lakes trail # 14 and Senoj Lake trail # 14.1, loop
On Six lakes trail section will see Blow Lake and Doris Lake on R. On Senoj Lake trail section will see Senoj Lake on R, Williamson Mountain (We will scramble 330 ft up to 6254 ft) on L, and Lucky Lake on R.
I called the Elk Leak Resort and learned that the lodge near our trailhead and two campsites were being prepared to evacuate due to the approaching fire. According to the source, apart from the fact that the entire area is heavily smoky, strong winds are expected on Sunday. >>> SORRY, THE TRIP IS CANCELED

Sunset Bay, Cape Arago & more
2022-09-11
We’ll hike Sunset Bay to Cape Arago loop and explore Yoakam Point.
Very good trails. Weather will be good in mid-60s, winds SW at 10 to 15 mph and slight chance of shower(s).
DUE TO FIRES RELATED SMOKE, TRIP IS CANCELED

Divide & Notch Lakes "Love A Lake"
2022-09-13
We follow the trail past Notch Lake and large patches of Huckleberry on the way to Divide Lake. The ridge has occasional views of Diamond Peak and the Salt Creek forested valley. Mt. Yoran will appear and we contour around to Divide Lake which can reflect 3 peaks from its shores. Upon arrival we will have lunch then check the area for trash and clean the fire pits before heading back. On the return trip we will stop at Notch Lake for huckleberries before cleaning the campsites along Notch Lake. This will be a moderately paced hike 2-3 mph.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2022-09-13, 2022-09-20, 2022-09-27
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
2022-09-14, 2022-09-21, 2022-09-28
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.

Three Sisters PCT Section Hike
2022-09-15 00:00 - 2022-09-18 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is Oregon’s finest Section hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, a four-day 30-mile stretch through spectacular alpine lava flows as the South Sister slips away to reveal the Middle and then the North.
The proposed hike is one-way northbound and will need a shuttle. On the way out, we’ll drive over Mackenzie Pass and leave a vehicle at Lava Camp Trailhead then continue around through Bend to Elk Lake. At hike’s conclusion, swing back through Elk Lake and head home to Eugene via Willamette Pass.
The hike itself is straightforward. Hike up to the PCT and go North. Day 1 – Elk Lake TH 6 miles to Sisters Mirror Lake. Day 2 – PCT Northbound 9 miles crossing Wickiup Plain and passing S Sister to Chambers Cr/Reese Lk. Day 3 – PCT Nobo 8 miles with lunch at Sisters Spring and Obsidian Falls to camp on Opie Dillock Pass. Day 4 – PCT Nobo 7 miles passing the Ahalapam Cinder Field and Yapoah Crater to the finish at Lava Camp TH.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2022-09-16
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 and #4 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.

Upper Alpine trail hike
2022-09-17
Last segment of Alpine Trail finishing near Alpine ridge.

Beach Clean Up with SOLVE
2022-09-17
Please join Obsidians, SOLVE and thousands of volunteers this fall as we clean up litter and marine debris from the entire Oregon coast! The Obsidians will clean up the area between Berry Creek and Baker Beach trail. Meet at Target W11, Eugene and carpool to the Baker Beach trailhead, just few miles north of Florence, 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.

Brice Creek
2022-09-18
We’ll start at the Cedar Creek Campground trailhead and hike up the creek to the Trestle Creek Falls trail, which we’ll take clockwise. We’ll turn around at Champion Creek Bridge and on the way back we’ll find a swimming hole for a refreshing dip before returning to our cars.

U of O Campus Walk
2022-09-19
UO

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2022-09-22
This is the first 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.
Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions 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.

Waldo Stargazing Bkpk
2022-09-23 00:00 - 2022-09-25 23:59
Day1- Afternoon Eugene departure. Drive to N Waldo/Jim Weaver trailhead. Hike approx. 2 miles and camp on rocky bench below Rigdon Butte. The site has expansive views of the entire Waldo Lake basin from which we have front row seats to uncountable stars in September’s New Moon.
Day 2 – Day hike 5 miles looping through the beautiful Rigdon Lakes area which still recovers from the lasting 1996 Charlton Burn. Evening star show.
Day 3 – Pack up and hike out, or not.
Meetup/Departure Location: 4th & Blair in the Whit

National Public Lands Day
2022-09-24
For National Trails Day we are going to switch gears from beautification to general maintenance. We will work to maintain the Main Trail by cleaning the summit steps and clearing drainage ditches and culverts.
Meet at the main Spencer Butte Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette.

Upper Alpine trail hike
2022-09-24
Last segment of Alpine Trail finishing near Alpine ridge.
Trail is located NE from Oakridge. We will start at Kate’s Cut In and hike east segment to the end. Then, after the lunch same way back.
*** TRIP IS CANCELLED ***
According to information I received from the OakridgeOregon Ranger District: Access to our trail is currently open but may be closed at any time. Fire crews close back roads several times a week, depending on the wind and their fire-related activities.
*** TRIP IS CANCELLED ***

Scott Mountain
2022-09-25
Enjoy stops at Tenas and Benson Lakes on the way to the summit, the site of a lookout destroyed around 1960. The views of the Cascade Peaks make a perfect place for lunch.
Driving: we will drive up McKenzie Highway 242 turning north between mileposts 71 and 72 (Scott Lake pointer) on to gravel road ,1.5 miles to parking area. It has a restroom. If there is a miserable weather forecast, I will probably substitute a Pisgah hike.
Some may want to plan for a stop at Takodas after the hike.

East Side Pisgah
2022-09-25
this hike begins at East Trail head, From Eugene, take Highway 58 to Pleasant Hill, turn LEFT at top of hill (76 gas station at corner) Ridgeway Road. Approximate 1.5 mile drive on Ridgeway road to parking lot on left (Lane County Park pass required) This is a mostly level walk, with lovely meadows and mixed riparian forest with lush understory along an old river channel. We will reach the Pavilion and oak savannah and bathrooms at midpoint.

South Willamette Trail
2022-09-27
This is an 11 mile out and back hike running west to east, starting at the Hardesty Mountain Trailhead parking lot along highway 58, near milepost 20. This “relatively” level trail passes through a variety of shady trees, crosses a small stream on a log bridge and descends to cross two more streams before crossing Crale Creek on a large log bridge.
The trail then climbs to cross Forest Road 5835 (Crale Creek Road). It continues on an almost level gradient until passing between an older plantation to the west and a more recent plantation on the east.
It climbs to pass between a parcel of private land and an older plantation and then descends to cross Harper Creek.
It continues on to cross North Creek. Both Harper and North Creek are crossed on log bridges. After crossing North Creek, the trail climbs to join the Eula Ridge Trail.

Potluck Summer Camp Reunion
2022-09-30
Welcome Back! Please join us for our fall potluck and a chance to reconnect and share memories of Camp Reiter. Guests welcome.

Green Lakes
2022-10-01
We’ll have to see how the rest of fire season unfolds – right now, the road to the trailhead is closed and the smoke is bad. I’ll continue to monitor the situation and post updates. But if conditions improve, here’s the description:
This beautiful hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness has it all – hemlock forest, lava flows, huge obsidian boulders, a sparkling cascading stream along most of the way, and splendid mountain views. The only drawback is that it’s a long drive for us, but it’s right next door to Bend. It’s very popular, and we’ll need to get there early, even though the permit system will be limiting the number of hikers. So, we will leave at 6:30 AM – please get to LCC a bit early and be ready for a prompt departure.
We’ll have lunch on the shores of Green Lake, followed by your choice of an optional off-trail exploration along the base of South Sister, or more relaxing on the lakeshore.
It’s likely to be icy, especially on the creek crossings, so you might want poles or an extra pair of dry socks.
And don’t forget – starting today, you won’t need to scrounge for a one-dollar bill.

Koosah Falls to Clear Lake
2022-10-01
Lets celebrate fall! We’ll park at Koosah Falls and head south to Carmen Reservoir, cross the McKenzie river to the opposite or ‘north’ side and head to Clear Lake. At Clear Lake we’ll hike the east side only, out and back, due to bridge repair work at the north end (cannot loop the lake). After lunch we’ll head back towards Sahalie Falls and back to the cars at Koosah.
Total mileage somewhere between 7.5 to 8.5 miles and 600 to 800′ elevation gain.
Carpooling is encouraged – trailhead parking is limited. Some of us will stop at Takodas on the way home. Please consider this when choosing your carpool.
If there are any weather or smoke issues, I’ll reschedule. Any questions please call or text me.

Marion Lake
2022-10-01
NOTE START TIME CHANGE. This beautiful hike in the Mt. Jefferson wilderness will be fairly easy if we go as far as the falls and the lake, and difficult if we do the full 11-mile trek to the Marion Mountain lookout for the splendid views. For now, I’m leaving the Marion Mountain leg optional because I’m still recovering from a knee injury, but please contact me if you have questions or a preference for the longer vs. the shorter hike.
Marion Lake is very swimmable, and a wonderful place for picnicking and relaxing. So even if we don’t go all the way to the top of Marion Mountain, it will be well worth the drive. We’ll plan on a stop at Takoda’s on the way back, so be sure to check in with your driver about that.
I’ve scored 12 wilderness passes for that day, so even though there isn’t a trip fee, you’ll still each owe me a buck.
There will be a few miles of gravel road to the trailhead, and the rest is paved, so the drive should be accessible for all vehicle types.

Four-In-One Cone
2022-10-02
NOTE; IF YOU STILL WANT TO GO, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME BEFORE SAT AT 5 PM; SPACES ARE NOW AVAILABLE. (POSTED 9 AM FRIDAY.
This is the 6th annual Clare Tucker Four in One Cone hike from Scott trail through the volcanic area to the cone itself, where we will have lunch and people will have time if desired to hike the rim, which adds about 0.75 mile or thereabouts. Clare led this hike 14 times.
NOTE: Permit for 6 has been obtained. The next chance I have is late next week to add more. Right now, the limit is 6.Stay tuned.
Hike will be cancelled if fires or smoke are an issue.
It is October, so please have gear for shoulder season—hot or cold, dry or rain. No water of note on the trail, so plan accordingly.
This is a solid moderate hike with constant elevation gain to the volcanic area and then a couple of short steep climbs until we reach the cone, where we ascend 160 vertical feet. Please have good foot gear for the volcanic area. With clear skies, there are nice views of Collier Cone, Black and Yapoah Craters, and the Cascades north to Mt. Hood. If snow has fallen, sometimes the rim has a thin cornice all the way along it. If fog, well, the leader likes that very much, but we will likely eat lunch in the woods.
Would like to be back at the cars 2:30 or 3.

Jefferson Park
2022-10-03
We will be hiking the Whitewater trail to Scott, Rock & Bays Lks. Possible option of continuing on to Russel Lk, which would add 1.4 miles to the trip total mileage if we do. Hike will be at a moderate pace.
Everyone is expect to reimburse the leader $1 for the permit cost in addition to the club fee, if any.

Fall Color Bus Trip to Oregon Coast
2022-10-04
FALL COLOR BUS TRIP TO ODELL LAKE LODGE Tuesday, October 4
We begin the day by driving the back roads through Springfield, Jasper, Fall Creek and Lowell to the Lowell Covered Bridge for a quick tour of this historic site. Then it is on to Oakridge for a coffee break at Dairy Queen (on your own). Our next stop will be a tour of the Willamette Fish Hatchery that will take us through the life cycle of a salmon. The hatchery grounds also have a quaint museum, a nature trail, and nine holes of miniature golf. Then we head to Odell Lake Lodge and Resort for lunch on your own (salads and sandwiches run from $13 to $17). You can eat indoors in the rustic lodge or out on the terrace, both with views of the lake. If you prefer, you may also bring your own sack lunch. After lunch and a walk along the shore of Odell Lake, we drive to Salt Creek Falls to view this magnificent cascade. If time allows, we may also visit the Office Covered Bridge in Westfir and/or Elijah Bristow State Park near Dexter. We’ll arrive back in Eugene around 5:00 p.m.
Cost is $60 for members and $62 for guests. Please make checks payable to “Obsidians Bus Trips.” Mail your check to Judy Garwood, 4145 East Amazon Drive, Eugene, OR 97405. Payment is due by October 1. For further information about registration, contact Judy at 541-683-5539. For general information, contact trip leader Jim Northrop at 541-343-3426. We load the bus at 7:45 a.m. at the Valley River Park and Ride (west of Regal Cinemas along the bike path and river). The bus departs at 8:00 a.m. We hope you can join us. Meetup/Departure Location: Valley River Park and Ride (west of Regal Cinemas along the bike path and river
