Canyon Creek Meadows
2023-07-08
This hike was previously listed as Horsepasture Mt and is more of a drive but it has a great display of wildflowers and spectacular views. The last 6 miles of the road is a fairly rough drive so a high clearance vehicle is recommended. The last 1/2 mile of the hike to the viewpoint is a very steep scramble so I’m rating this hike as difficult. A stop at Jack Lake for a swim is on the schedule as well as a stop at Takoda’s.
NOTE! This hike requires a $1 per person fee to cover the cost of the permit.

Mt Thielsen
2023-07-08
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.

Browder Ridge
2023-07-10
This trail is one of my favorites. There are excellent views of the peaks from several spots along the route and usually many fine wildflowers. In the first 1.4 miles, the trail switchbacks up through the forest for over half of the total elevation gain, then arrives at a viewpoint for a well-earned break. The trail then traverses 1.7 miles up through meadows of bracken and wildflowers to a junction with the summit trail. If this section is passable, we will proceed about 1 mile, ascend a forested ridge, traverse the top of a steep meadow, and pick our way up a rocky ridge to a broad, grassy summit for a lunch-with-a-view. The trail is narrow and rocky in places, and there may be some blowdown to maneuver around, so poles may be helpful. Our pace will be steady, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wildflowers and views. I may reschedule in case of poor trail conditions or weather.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-07-11, 2023-07-18, 2023-07-25
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.

GameNight!
2023-07-11
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.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-07-12, 2023-07-19, 2023-07-26
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.

Paradise Park
2023-07-12
With great views and bountiful wildflowers this is one of my favorite hikes on Mt Hood. Our destination of Paradise Park is at the same elevation as our trailhead at Timberline Lodge. Unfortunately we’ll have to descend into Zigzag Canyon to get there giving this hike a generous share of elevation change along with a challenging stream crossing. After the hike we’ll be stopping for dinner so don’t plan on getting home before dark.
Our departure place is the Springfield Fred Meyer parking lot just north of the fuel station.
Note that 6:30am is the departure time. SHOW UP EARLY!

Millican Crater Explora
2023-07-15
Meet at WinCo Foods parking lot, 2815 Chad Dr., Eugene . From there we’ll carpool via Hwy 126, 242 and further.
We’ll explore Millican Crater, a high pile of dark pyroclastic scoria.
From the trailhead we’ll hike trail #4066 and then scramble up to the top of Millican Crater for excellent 360° view, then back on the #4066 to complete lollipop loop.
➳ NOTE: Please see Black Crater Hike, June 16, for potential two-day outing in the same area. Meetup/Departure Location: WinCo Foods parking lot, 2815 Chad Dr., Eugene

Martin Lake
2023-07-15
This is a loop hike that is shown in Sullivan’s 2020 Central Cascades book under Three Fingered Jack. It heads north from the Santiam Pass PCT trailhead before leaving the maintained trail to hike past Martin lake then joining the Old Summit trail 4014 to hike south past Booth lake then Square Lake where it then heads back west to our parking area. Almost all of this hike is within the 2003 B & B Fire so you’ll get lots of sun but also great views. I’ve rated this hike difficult as the 1 mile off trail section is a very steep scramble through a forest. If the day’s hot enough we’ll have a refreshing swim at Square lake. I suspect that some of our group will stop at Takoda’s in Rainbow after the hike.

Amazon Headwaters/ Mt. Baldy
2023-07-15
Hike mostly in the shade up to Fox Hollow to Dillard West Trailhead to see the Metzler plaque and then take the connecting trail to Dillard East Trailhead and up to Baldy. There are options if you need a longer or shorter hike. Pace is almost moderate.

Black Crater Sunrise
2023-07-16
For this hike you will need to be at Black Crater trailhead 44.2848, -121.7658 (about 90 minutes drive from Eugene) ready to hit the trail at 3:45AM.
We will start at 3:45AM and hike to the top of Black Crater for a spectacular sunrise. Sunrise will be at 6:00 AM.
➳ NOTE: Please see Millican Crater Hike, June 15, for potential two-day outing in the same area. Meetup/Departure Location: Black Crater trailhead 44.2848, -121.7658

Menagerie Wilderness
2023-07-17
This is the hike called Rooster Rock in Sullivan’s Central Cascades 5th edition #15, but for this trip I plan to follow a climber’s trail an extra mile or so to the base of some of the fancifully named spires such as Rabbit Ears and Turkey Monster. These give the small wilderness area its name.
Plan on 6-7 miles, 2400’ elevation gain, and some steep off-trail hiking. Wear long pants because of poison oak and brush.

Evening Hike - Dorris Ranch
2023-07-18
Evening hike: Meet at Dorris Ranch, Springfield: 205 Dorris Street, Springfield.
** NOTE – the Dorris Ranch parking area will be under construction on this day. Please head towards the parking lot and follow signage indicating where to park. We’ll meet at the restrooms.
Dorris Ranch is a national historic site, living history farm, working commercial filbert orchard, with walking trails that wind through the orchard and than connect with a 4 mile long trail that skirts the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.
We will only have time to walk about 2.3 miles (+/-) and then turn around for a total of about 4.5 – 4.8 miles of the 8-mile route.
This is flat, and rated as easy, but our pace will be moderate in order to cover as much mileage as possible before it gets too late. If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Camp Lake
2023-07-19
Camp Lake’s location between the Middle and South Sisters make it one of the most scenic destinations in the Three Sisters Wilderness plus the lake’s sand beaches and bottom and crystal clear waters makes it one of my favorite swimming lakes so bring your water shoes and rubber ducky. We’ll be starting at the Pole Creek trailhead, an area that was burned in 2018, so we’ll be getting lots of sun for the first 4 miles. After the hike we’ll stop at Takoda’s in Sisters for dinner before we drive home. A long drive and hike plus dinner make this an all day adventure so don’t make any other plans for this day.

Erma Bell Lakes Loop
2023-07-19
This loop located just inside the Three Sisters Wilderness will take us by five lakes and a waterfall. Erma Bell Lakes trail #3563 is quite popular and was recently cleared and reopened, but shouldn’t be too busy mid-week. We’ll park at Skookum Creek Campground, about 35 miles east of Westfir, where each vehicle will need a Recreation Pass. If you already have a Recreation Pass, please bring it so we can make sure each vehicle will have one.
We’ll hike by all three Erma Bell Lakes (Lower, Middle and Upper) and check out the waterfall between Lower and Middle Erma Bell Lakes. To make it a loop, we’ll hang a left about a mile past Upper Erma Bell Lake to Williams Lake Trail #3589 and Irish Mountain Trail #3588, which will add Williams Lake and Otter Lake to our hike. Be prepared for mosquitoes, and I’ve heard it may be a little muddy as we pass near Otter Lake.

Take Me Out to the Ballpark
2023-07-19
Join us for a Springfield Drifters Baseball Game vs the Walla Walla Sweets! The Hamlin Sports Complex is only two years old and is a great facility. General Admission Tickets are $7 and food and beverages are available. Look for us on the top row on the first base side. The game starts at 6:35 PM, come a bit early to get settled. Meetup/Departure Location: Hamlin Sports Complex, 1544 5th St, Spfd

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-07-21
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. Remove any valuables from your vehicle. There is a porta potty at the trailhead.

Cone Peak & Iron Mtn
2023-07-21
This is one of the premier wildflower hikes in the Cascades and they are at peak! The pace will be moderate, but steady. We will go counterclockwise, starting on the Cone Peak Trail through alpine meadows, stopping to identify many of the flowers and admire the views. Then up the steep trail to the Iron Mountain platform for lunch. On a clear day, one can see all the major peaks from Mt Adams to Diamond Peak!

Annual Beach Barefoot
2023-07-22
Join me on my Annual Obsidian barefoot hike. This year we will start at Holman Vista day use area.
We will first cross 20-25” deep Sutton Creek and then hike on the beach north, cross 10” deep Berry Creek and continue to the Darko’s Hidden Cove. After the snack break we will hike back pretty much same way. Low tide (0.1 ft) will be at 10:40 AM.
✯ We are designed to walk barefoot but evolved to shoe wearing creatures. Barefoot walking is candid way to feel the earth under your feet. There are many health benefits and some risks associated with going barefoot. Please use common sense. Carry sandals or (and) thick socks and use in case you are unable to handle sand under your feet.
Let’s feel the sand!

Cowhorn Mountain
2023-07-22
This is a loop hike that will start at Timpanogas Lake and progress in a clockwise direction. The last part of the climb to the summit of Cowhorn is a bit of a scramble so some people prefer to wait below. We’ll then descent to Indigo Lake and take the time for a swim before heading back to our trailhead. I have encountered mosquitoes in this area but mostly around the lakes. After the hike we’ll stop in Oakridge for dinner. This is an all day adventure so plan on getting home late.

South Eugene Meadows Tour
2023-07-22
Meet at the trailhead 5004 Blanton Road where there are 8 parking spaces on the south side of road. I’ll email directions and/or if we need to meet at the Blanton Ridge Trailhead and carpool the short distance to SEM. The tour will include the location of the proposed new 3 mile trail, the boundaries, and the 50 ft. easement along 52nd. See the front page of the June Bulletin for more information. Plan on 1 ½ hours. John Winquist, Eugene Parks Foundation Board member, will lead the tour.

Mt Thielsen
2023-07-22 00:00 - 2023-07-23 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Mt Thielsen is about a 10 mile climb with 3,800 feet of elevation gain and there is a long section of loose scree to hike up. The technical pitch at the top is really fun……I will set up a fixed rope for our group to ascend and then we will rappel from the top. The views from the summit are awesome!

Wild Iris Ridge Trailhead Improvements
2023-07-26
For this month’s outing we’ll be working on trailhead improvements for the Wild Iris Ridge Trailhead. Our tasks will include string trimming along the fence, cutting back blackberries, and cleaning the kiosk.
Meet at the Wild Iris Ridge parking lot, the gravel lot on Bailey Hill Road. Work party goes from 5:30-8 pm.

Fawn/Stag Lakes
2023-07-26
This hike is a loop that starts at the Crescent Lake Campground. It’s about 3.5 miles to Fawn Lake and another 1.5 to Stag Lake. We’ll have our lunch at Stag Lake and check out the potential for swimming. I’ve never been to Stag Lake in the summer so this part of the trip will be new to me. After lunch we’ll head back to Fawn Lake then continue the loop past Pretty Lake then back to our trailhead. I have tried to go swimming in Pretty Lake and it’s awful. A stop in Oakridge for dinner after the hike is a possibility.
Warning: Depending on the year mosquitoes can sometimes get pretty bad in this area so be prepared.

Evening hike: 52nd to Blanton
2023-07-26
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.
