The Obsidians

Coyote Creek Paddle
2023-06-22
We’ll meet at Target and then caravan to the put-in on Cantrell Road. Coyote Creek flows into Fern Ridge and is a birdwatcher’s paradise. It reminds me of a bayou! We’ll start by paddling upstream (the current is barely noticeable) until we reach a log jam and then we’ll turn around and paddle under Highway 126 into the reservoir. This is flat water- no riffles. We’ll plan on being back at the put-in by noon-12:30.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-06-23
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.

Muir Creek UpperRogue Wilderness
2023-06-23 00:00 - 2023-06-25 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is a loop backpack through mid elevation forest and wildflower meadows in the Rogue Umpqua divide wilderness not far from Diamond Lake. We’ll leave Eugene Friday afternoon and drive to Muir Creek Trailhead off OR 230. Hike up Muir Creek approx 5 miles camp. Saturday continue to headwaters and over a broad pass to Alkali Meadows approx 5 miles camp. Sunday complete the trail loop and finish with a short bushwhack down to Muir Creek and the TH. Consult William Sullivan’s excellent 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon

Mt Thielsen
2023-06-24
We will be climbing the standard route on Mt. Thielsen. The route begins as a use trail up the scree and talus of the lower mountain, later becoming a class 3 scramble as the ridge steepens. The final climb up the summit pinnacle is a class 4, easy 5th class scramble on the only solid piece of rock on the mountain. We will have a fixed line rope for ascending and will descend on a rappel on the steep part. We will plan on doing the climb in 1 day from Eugene. However, those who wish to camp can meet us at the trail head in the early AM.

Horse Rock & Shotgun Creek
2023-06-24
Trip Description: We will start with the Horse Rock Trail and see some gorgeous wildflowers. This is a 3-mile loop. After, we will drive back to Shotgun Creek and do the smaller loop for 3.4 miles.
Directions to Departure Place: Corner of 42nd and Marcola Rd in the parking lot of the Weyerhauser Mckenzie Natural Area. From I-105 aka Hwy 126 take the 42nd street exit in Springfield (it is the exit past Mohawk Blvd.). Turn left on 42nd street. In about 1 mile the road ends and you will see the parking lot on your right. Look for the Willamalane sign.
To park at Shotgun creek you will need to have a National Park Pass or pay the $5 day pass at the kiosk in the parking area. Meetup/Departure Location: Corner of 42nd and Marcola Rd – see below

North Fork Trail (Segment 1)
2023-06-25
The North Fork of the Willamette, is a close in picturesque hike along the river. The trail head is located just outside Westfir, Oregon. There should be wildflowers along the trail. There are 3 sections to this trail. We will be hiking the first out and back. If the day is good we might extent it to include part of the second.

Mt Pisgah (long)
2023-06-25
We’ll meet at the end of the West Trailhead/Main parking area, nearest to the arboretum. A Lane County parking permit is required, so allow extra time to purchase the permit at the parking lot if you do not already have one on your vehicle.
To finish by mid-day and avoid high temperatures, we’re starting a bit earlier than usual for this hike. We will also take a new route to hike more on the shade side of Mt Pisgah. The route will follow Trail 7 to 3, hiking around swing hill to then take trails 4, 2 and the last part of 1 to the summit. Those who wish for a shorter route can then return on 1 back to the parking area. For the long route we will return on 2, 4 and 7. The long-range forecast shows a cooler, overcast day, and we should be back to the main parking lot by mid-day. We can adjust the route if weather does not cooperate.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-06-27, 2023-07-04
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.

Evening hike: 52nd to Blanton
2023-06-27
6:30 pm: Note, we’re departing 30 min later than prior evening hikes.
Meet at 52nd and Willamette – park on 52nd street, across from the main trailhead on the Spencers Butte side. If you have questions, please give me a call.
This is an easy out and back, good for all hiking abilities.

Cape Perpetua
2023-06-27 00:00 - 2023-06-29 23:59
Note: If you sign-up for this multi-day trip, please don’t casually cancel last minute. Doing so prevents others from attending and costs the trip leader out-of-pocket reservation fees. Thank you!
This is a 2-night overnight camping trip at Cape Perpetua with 14 miles of hiking. PLEASE SCROLL THROUGH THE ENTIRE TRIP DESCRIPTION.
The trip leader has pre-paid/reserved the group site in advance. Please pay the trip leader $40 per person at the beginning of the trip, this amount covers 2 nights in the campground and share of firewood. Participants are responsible for arranging their travel to/from the site. Bring all your food, equipment, tent, etc. Be prepared for all types of coastal weather. There is limited parking so please try to carpool. If you wish to sleep in your vehicle that is option, just please be discreet. The group camp has a covered shelter and electricity. A flush bathroom is close to the group camp. Bring your State Park Pass and All-In-One Federal Pass for your vehicle.
Tuesday, June 27th
This trip begins at the Cape Perpetua Group Camp (44.2805, -124.0942). You are welcome to arrive anytime after 4pm into that evening. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Cape Perpetua and the evening around the fire.
Wednesday, June 28th
Plan on hiking at least 9 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation loss/gain.
We will depart camp by 9am walking half a mile up to the Visitor Center to the trailhead. We will hike up Cook’s Ridge through a stunning section of old growth > past the Gwynn Creek Junction > along and down the Cummins Creek Trail > to the Oregon Coast Trail returning to the Visitors Center in the mid/late afternoon. Bring lunch/snacks/water. We will take a lunch break somewhere near the headwaters of Gwynn Creek. The last half –the Cummins Creek section– of the trail is exploratory for the trip leader. That evening rest by the campfire.
Thursday, June 29th:
Plan on hiking at least 5 miles with 200 feet of elevation loss/gain.
Depart camp by 9:30am. We will drive to the top of the cape and enjoy the views. We will then drive into Yachats and park at the Yachats State Recreation Area. We will hike approx 2.5 miles along the OCT to the Amanda Statue and have lunch near the suspension bridge. There is a small amount of highway walking. We will return to our cars via the same route. We should be returning to the Eugene area by 5pm-ish.

Amazon Headwaters Brushing 2
2023-06-28
For this month’s outing we will return to the Amazon Headwaters Trail for some concentrated brushing. We’ll be working to cut back Maple so that it grows up and away from the trail. We will be doing this in a short section along one of the bridges. Additional task options will include cutting back blackberries at the trailhead.
Just a heads up that there is poison oak in the area.
Meet at the Fox Hollow Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot on Fox Hollow across from the Cascades Raptor Center. Work party goes from 5:50-8pm.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-06-28
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.

Macduff Mountain
2023-06-28
This year will be the 92nd anniversary of the placing of a brass plaque on Macduff Mt to honor Nelson Macduff, a former forest service supervisor and Obsidian member. I’ll be hiking to the summit from road 411, a steep rough road not suitable for low clearance vehicles. The trail is a well engineered route up a steep ridge through a well shaded forest with some great wildflowers and rhododendrons. From the summit we’ll hopefully have a clear view of the Cascades and the McKenzie River Valley. Some of our group may stop at Takoda’s after the hike.

Mount St Helens area
2023-06-28 00:00 - 2023-06-30 23:59
This is a 3 day trip to explore the Mt. St. Helens area. Overnight accommodations are at Cozy Castle Rock Cabin (Airbnb) in Castle Rock, WA. The first day, we will visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory which is 55 miles from Castle Rock. After that visit, we can enjoy the 2.4 mile Hummocks Trail Loop and drive to our house. The next day, we will drive to the trailhead for Coldwater Peak near Johnston Ridge. This is a difficult 13 mile round hike with 2400 feet elevation gain. Participants should be in adequate shape for this hike. Once the group is formed, details will be discussed regarding the last day’s activities, meals, carpool plans, etc.
Costs for lodging will be $155 per person. Registration will open on Friday, April 28, 7am. Members only; no refund unless someone takes your place. Due to limited accommodations, this trip is limited to 6 persons only. Within 5 days of signing up, mail a check payable to Obsidians to Jean Harrris, 78116 Mosby Creek Road, Cottage Grove, OR 97424.

Castle Rock via King Castle
2023-06-29
This well-graded trail passes through a pleasant forest of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock on the way to the summit of Castle Rock, and we should see some interesting wildflowers along the way. We will have lunch at a spot along the ridge that, weather permitting, has nice views of the McKenzie Valley, the Old Cascades, Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters. After lunch, those who are interested can continue a short distance to the site of the old lookout—now a cell phone relay installation. We will proceed at a steady pace and pause at trail intersections to keep the group together. Notes: Mountain bikers may be sharing the trail. There are no restrooms at the trailhead. If poor weather is forecast, I may substitute a hike at Mt. Pisgah. A stop at Takoda’s Restaurant after the hike is an option.

Middle Sister
2023-07-01
Our Middle Sister climb will either be from Pole Cr TH or Obsidian TH depending on whether we can get an overnight permit or not. If we can only get a day permit, we will climb it in one day.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-07-01
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 8:59 pm and moonrise is 7:52 pm. Current plan is to take Trails 7,3 and 1. Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. We probably will be hiking down after the moonrise. (Full Moon is July 3) If you don’t have a Lane County pass , please, please allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead.

Marion Mountain
2023-07-01
This is a great hike in the Jefferson Wilderness area that includes a short detour and scramble to the very pretty Marion Falls. We’ll hike past Lake Ann and then along Marion Lake before heading up to Marion Mt for some beautiful views of Mt Jefferson. This area has been subject to fires as recently as 2015 so we’ll have plenty of sun exposure. A stop at Marion Lake on the return for a swim is a possibility so take some water shoes. As this is a wilderness area there will be a small fee to cover my cost of the permit. A stop at Takoda’s restaurant after the hike will be an option so choose your driver accordingly.

Mt Jefferson
2023-07-01 00:00 - 2023-07-03 23:59
This climb was postponed due to weather and rescheduled to 7/1-7/3. We will climb the West Rib route with a high camp at about 6800ft. High camp will likely be on snow. Jefferson is probably the toughest mountain in Oregon with significant hazards to individuals and the team. All potential team members will need prior approval from the trip leader.
Meetup/Departure Location: Thurston Albertsons

Patterson Mountain
2023-07-02
Patterson. Mt, noted for wildflowers and the Lone Wolf Shelter. If the sky is clear you can see the Sisters from the top. The trip takes us up Hwy 58. We turn off on a logging road for about 8 miles. The last time I drove this road it was in good shape.

Youngs Rock and Moon Point
2023-07-02
This is a hike south of Hills Creek Lake.
We’ll hike Youngs Rock Trail #3685 to Youngs Rock and #3688 to Moon Point. After lunch we’ll hike back same way.
Wildflowers and fantastic view of Diamond Peak.

Obsidians Butte to Butte
2023-07-04
>>> Scroll all down to see complete description!
Meet: 8AM at the corner of Ferry St and East 43rd Ave, Eug. (Across from Spencer Butte Middle School)
The course for the 4 mile Mayor’s Fitness Walk starts at Spencer Butte Middle School at 500 E 43rd Ave, heading east and follows the flat portion of the Aquafina OTC Butte to Butte course to finish on 5th between High and Pearl. Walk will start at 8:30AM.
Please be no later than 8:15AM at the corner of Ferry Street and East 43rd Avenue, so we have time for signup sheet. You will need to sign standard Obsidians waiver.
This event is a great opportunity for Obsidians publicity so please wear your Obsidians shirt or cap.
Aquafina Butte to Butte $30 per (adult) registration is needed per adult. Please register / pay ASAP at https://buttetobutte.com/register
When registering, please select “register as a group” and continue registration to the end when you have option to select “Obsidians team affiliation” from the drop down menu of options.
Contact leader at darchey@comcast.net with questions.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-07-05
NOTE: BECAUSE OF THE HEAT, I CHANGED THE START TIME TO 7:30.
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.

Tunnel Falls
2023-07-05
This is a very popular hike in the Columbia Gorge near Cascade Locks. The trail follows Eagle Creek in a moderate but steady incline past 9 waterfalls before reaching the beautiful Tunnel Falls For those brave enough there are two more waterfalls a short distance beyond Tunnel Falls. The trail can be rugged and wet at times plus the exposure to heights means it’s not for everyone however the most exposed parts of the trail have reassuring cables to hold on to. After the hike we’ll stop somewhere for dinner before driving home. This is an all day trip so don’t plan on getting home before dark.
MEETING PLACE–Springfield Fred Meyer, north of the fuel station. Note that 6:30am is the DEPARTURE TIME!

Evening hike: Pre's Trail
2023-07-05
6:30 pm: Meet in the parking lot near the duck pond and frisbee golf course, this is the lot on the left right after you cross the bridge coming into Alton Baker Park.
The trail surface is a mix of hard pack and dirt. You must bring water with you.
If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Cone Peak-Iron Mountain
2023-07-05
This beautiful (and popular) hike connects two peaks above Tombstone Pass, Cone Peak and Iron Mountain, which hosts sprawling, colorful wildflower meadows.

Cascade Head
2023-07-07
A spectacular trail up through old growth forests, several stream crossings on well-constructed bridges, emerging from the trees at the halfway point to wide open views up & down the coast the rest of the way. I did this trail last July & again May 1 this year – observed 4 elk the first time & a herd of 50 or so last month. With all the beautiful photos we will have taken, we can gloat over coffee in Lincoln City or Dallas on the way back. This hike is worth the extra miles of travel.

Koosah-Sahalie to Tamolitch
2023-07-07
We will carpool to the parking area at Koosah Falls. We will first hike east to above Sahalie Falls and then cross the river to head west on the other side. We will hike past Carmen Smith reservoir, through beautiful old growth and have lunch at Blue Pool. This hike is full of photo opportunities. The elevation changes are not bad but it is a long day with the miles.
There are parts of the trail that are narrow with a drop off (not a cliff). If you are unsteady then bring your poles.

Spencer Butte
2023-07-07
Meet at the (Main)Spencer Butte parking lot — the paved one with the steps. No—it is not a New Years Day Hike. It is to celebrate the improved trail to the summit. It is amazing! Late May a trail crew started working down from the summit steps hauling gravel and peeler logs, removing rocks, bracing up the trail sides. Photos will be featured in the July Bulletin. Optional: If a few of you want to leave your car at the 52nd trailhead so that you can have a longer hike, I could transport you on my way up to Spencer Butte Trailhead. My email:l jbjacobsen@comcast.net If you don’t want to do the steps- that is OK. Meetup/Departure Location: Spencer Butte Main lot (paved)
