The Obsidians

Alton Baker Wander
2023-04-19
In honor of the upcoming Eugene Marathon join me in wandering through Alton Baker Park on the Pre Trail and bike path along the River. There will be wildflowers and birds! Meetup/Departure Location: Alton Baker Park main parking lot by bathrooms

Tour of Rexius Facility
2023-04-20
Have you ever wondered what happens to the food and clippings you put into your Yard Debris container? Or what, exactly, you can put in there?
This “class” is a tour; so come see how your stuff becomes compost, on a grand scale, by touring the Rexius facility near Coburg. Our guide, Rexius’ Dan Sutton, will show us around these small mountains of trash that’s becoming a variety of soil amendments, explaining how they make it happen and what can go wrong. And Sue (a recently graduated Master Recycler) will fill you in on just why it matters so much!
We meet at Papa’s Pizza at 1577 Coburg Road (in Eugene) at 9:30am and will be carpooling from there.
Tour will start at 10 am at the facility..
We’ll also plan on an optional lunch in Coburg after the tour.
This tour is sponsored by the Obsidian Conservation/Sci Ed Commitee. Meetup/Departure Location: Papa’s Pizza, 1577 Coburg Road

Mountaineering Conditioning
2023-04-20, 2023-05-04
Park in the main parking lot and meet at the gate for trail#1. 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’ll hike up to the summit and back on trail #1. I’m planning to do two laps with a weighted pack (recommend 20-40lbs in your pack if you want to use training weight), but you’re welcome to join for just one lap and/or hike without weight. The goal will be to finish in about 2 hours, which should be right around sunset (bring a headlamp).

Golden Gardens
2023-04-20
This is an easy in town hike with 3 ponds and an intersting history- the future is yet to be deterimed by you. This is a lovely stroll with eagles, geese, hummingbirds and beavers. It’s not even two miles, but I’ll show how to extend distance if that’s desired. A meditative walk for repeated loops and laps with both sunrise and sunset views.
This is one of the city’s restoration success stories. Also a great save for our native pond turtles – more on that later. Meetup/Departure Location: Golden Gardens

Wild Iris Trail plus
2023-04-20
Meet at Wild Iris Trail parking lot at intersection of Bailey Hill and Bertelson Rds
While walking this most western section of the Ridgeline Trail System enjoy the emerging namesake flowers, plus many others – fawn lilies, buttercups, hound’s tongue and more. We will add on to the 3.5 mile official Wild Iris Trail with a foray into surrounding city property on unnamed but maintained trails. On Sat. 4-15th there were some wet sections, but nothing that could not be stepped around.
Bonus option: Upon returning to the parking lot, join in a 20 minute walk across the road to get a peek at a yet undeveloped Eugene park, “Antis Oak” which connects to the Nature Conservancy’s Willow Creek Preserve.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-04-21
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.
Some will likely choose to lunch together at the Pleasant Hill Sunrise Cafe afterwards.

Fox Hollow to Spencer Butte
2023-04-21
This is a trip for hikers who can do the elevation and distance but want a slow pace. We will meet at the Fox Hollow trailhead parking lot. (85528 Christensen Rd.) and hike to the summit of Spencer Butte. If you only want to go as far as the steps, just let the leader know.

Eugene Mural Walk - Downtown
2023-04-21
Downtown Eugene has some colorful building-sized murals along with micro-art pieces. Plan to walk 3 miles in total and up about 7 flights of stairs. Our “zone” for walking will include the area around Willamette Street from the 5th Market area and the bus station. We should finish our walk between 12 & 12:30pm.
Our walk begins inside the 5th St. Market at the fountain courtyard. (5th St & High), where there is coffee, etc.
Our walk will end just across the street on Market Alley (5th & Pearl) where there is more coffee, etc. Restrooms are available at the beginning and end of the walk, with a restroom stop (if needed) at the bus station.
Free parking is available at 5th and Pearl.
Here is a map of area parking:
Downtown Eugene has some colorful building-sized murals along with micro-art pieces. Plan to walk 3 miles in total and up about 7 flights of stairs. Our “zone” for walking will include the area around Willamette Street from the 5th Market area and the bus station. We should finish our walk between 12 & 12:30pm.
Our walk begins inside the 5th St. Market at the fountain courtyard. (5th St & High), where there is coffee, etc.
Our walk will end just across the street on Market Alley (5th & Pearl) where there is more coffee, etc.
Restrooms are available at the beginning and end of the walk, with a restroom stop (if needed) at the bus station.
Free parking is available at 5th and Pearl.
Here is a map of area parking:
https://www.5stmarket.com/market-map

Spring Beach Clean Up
2023-04-22
This beach clean-up is a part of the annual SOLVE Great Spring clean-up.
Don’t be late! From Target W11, Eugene we will carpool to Ocean Beach Picnic Area. As part of Oregon Spring Cleanup, Obsidians will participate in cleaning Ocean Beach.
If you plan to meet the group at the trailhead; Please be at Ocean Beach Picnic Area parking lot around 9:25AM. Trailhead GPS coordinates are 44.188592, -124.114749. Please carpool to limit pollution.
Trash bags, gloves and short orientation will be provided to you on the site. Work will be done before 1PM.
➽ Optional: Group lunch in Florence.

Corvallis Mural Walk
2023-04-23
This is a leisurely walk in downtown Corvallis to see approx. 30 murals.
Meet at the Jerry’s Home Improvement Center Parking Lot in north Eugene just off of Hwy 99 (we will meet close to the main entrance and Hwy 99 side.). We will carpool on 99 then 99W to Corvallis (about 45 minutes) and park at the Free 3 Hour Lot on 2nd between Monroe and Madison. We will grab a coffee and/or lunch in Corvallis. We should return to the Jerry’s Parking Lot mid-afternoon. This walk is considered exploratory. Dress for the weather.

Skinner Butte
2023-04-24
We will circle the butte on the relatively new Mid-Elevation Trail, then go around the older summit loop, visiting the overlook to the west. Barring a disaster such as hail, there will be wildflowers. Meetup/Departure Location: Skinner Butte parking lot off Cheshire Ave

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-04-25, 2023-05-02
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
2023-04-26, 2023-05-03
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.

Mountaineering Conditioning
2023-04-26
WPark in the main parking lot and meet at the gate for trail#1. 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’ll hike up to the summit and back on trail #1. I’m planning to do two laps with a weighted pack (recommend 20-40lbs in your pack if you want to use training weight), but you’re welcome to join for just one lap and/or hike without weight. The goal will be to finish in about 2 hours, which should be right around sunset (bring a headlamp).

Amazon and Rexius Trails
2023-04-26
In Hike #2 honoring the upcoming Eugene Marathon join me in walking along the Amazon and Rexius running paths in South Eugene. We will see wildflowers, birds, and trees that Obsidians helped plan! We may even catch a glimpse of an elite marathoner out for a training run.

South Eugene Meadows
2023-04-27
Update: One person is biking. Meet at the trailhead 5004 Blanton Road where there are 8 parking spaces on the south side of road. I’ll email directions. Watch for update in case we need to meet at the Blanton Ridge Trailhead and carpool the short distance to SEM. Parts of trail are muddy. Distance could from 2-4 miles. From parrks website: SEM features large areas of upland prairie, oak savanna, and oak woodlands. From a small trailhead on Blanton Road southwest of the Blanton Ridge Trailhead, informal footpaths through the site offer access to headwater streams, rocky knobs, and stunning views. Purchased with a combination of the 2006 Parks bond funds, grant funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Bonneville Power Administration’s Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program, and a significant donation from the previous landowner, this will eventually help connect Wild Iris Ridge to 52nd & Willamette.

Art and Flowers.
2023-04-27
We will meet at the main parking area in Hendricks park (kitty corner from the shelter), meander through the rhododendron garden, make our way down to Maude Kerns Art Center, where we will view the photographic works of John Bauguess. He was a local man who “captured the quirks, foibles and whimsy of man, woman, child, and animal on city streets and country lanes” His photographs documented social, cultural and environmental issues – $3 admission fee. After leaving the gallery, we will return by loop to the park and enjoy the vista as we ascend the tree lined road back up to our cars. Possible stop at Prince Pucklers, if there is interest. Note: there’s an article in the April 20 Weekly about the exhibit.

Smith Rock
2023-04-28 00:00 - 2023-04-30 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)

Summiting Mt Everest - Eric Gran (Potluck & Presentation)
2023-04-28 18:05 - 20:30
What’s it like to climb Mt. Everest…not as a professional climber or life-long mountaineer, but from the vantage point of a working dad and weekend warrior? What’s it like to live in base camp or suck air through an oxygen mask on the ascent? What’s the feeling when you finally reach the summit? Eric Gran, who completed Obsidian Climb School in 2017 and went on to summit Mt Everest in 2020, will walk us through his experience through his photos and stories.

Blanton Trailhead Improvements
2023-04-29
We want to do a small surfacing job at Blanton Ridge trailhead/parking lot. We would be using power wheelbarrows, rakes and compactors. We will also be doing a general spruce up of the parking lot which will be some lite string trimming and sign/kiosk maintenance.
Meet at the Blanton Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot on Blanton Road. Work party goes from 9-12 am.

Kalapuya Talking Stones Walk
2023-04-29
This is a walk to see all 15 of the Kalapuya Talking Stones. We start our walk at the main parking lot’s south end at Alton Baker Park. The route will follow close to the canoe canal and into Springfield’s Eastgate Woodlands, then along the river and back to the parking area. Dress for the weather and bring a snack. Plan to complete the walk by 1:00pm. This is the day before the Eugene Marathon and we might see some preparation for that event while walking.
Scattered through the Whilamut Natural Area in Eugene and nearby Springfield are 15 boulders etched with words from the Kalapuya language. The stones help to educate and remind visitors that the Kalapuya people are still here. The words on the stones were chosen to reflect natural items in the traditional landscape. We will be visiting all 15 of the stones on our walk.
The names etched on the stones are:
Ha-Yaba – camas field
Camafeema – ferns on the ground
De-Ha Yaba – Near a camas field
Illioo – Joyful
Ga-Ach-Li – Peaceful in daylight
Wha-Lik – Place by the water
Li-Yuu – Prairie
Hal Ba – Downstream
Whilamut – Where the river ripples and runs fast
Gudu-Kut – Frog
Kanaa – Going across place
Duucu-Ba – Powerful place
Gaw-Ni – Trail through the woods
Hi-Dwa – In a wooded area
Lak-Mi – Near a fish trap

Thurston Hills Vista Loop
2023-04-29
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.
Meet at the North Trail Head parking lot off Main Street in East Springfield. You will see the entrance on the right just past Springfield Memorial Cemetery

Pisgah Long Route w/Options
2023-04-30
Meeting place: Mt. Pisgah, West (main) Trailhead, by the bathrooms. If you don’t have a Lane County pass, be sure to allow time to purchase one with a Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the fee box by the upper trailhead.
We should see lots of spring flowers on this hike! We will follow the Incense Cedar Trail and Trails 5, 56 and 6 to the summit, where we will gather for water and a snack. (At this point, those who prefer a shorter hike can return from the summit directly via main Trail 1, a total of about 5 miles and 2-2.5 hours.) To complete the long route, we will descend on Trail 2, then follow Trails 4 and 3 around Swing Hill to the North Trailhead, and finally return to the West Trailhead along the river trail. It will probably take about 4 hours to hike the 9.4 miles. We can adjust the route if the weather is poor.

Mt. Pisgah sunrise
2023-04-30
Sunrise hike with great views. Please be on time. We’ll leave promptly at 5AM.
Sunrise will be at 6:05 AM.
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.
Don’t waste those precious daylight hours.

Columbia Gorge Hiking
2023-05-02 00:00 - 2023-05-04 23:59
The Menucha Conference Center in Corbett, OR is our base. We will hike various trails in the Columbia Gorge. The cost per member will be $215 This includes 2 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as lodging in one of two houses McCall and Beam. The trip will become available for sign-up on Friday, March 10, 7am for members. Non members $220 sign up starting on March 13th. Pre trip meeting will be at lodge on Tuesday April 25th at 6pm where various hikes, car pooling and rooms will be addressed. Check out their web site (www.menucha.org) and also the description of this trip in the February bulletin regarding alternative dietary requests if appropriate. Please send your check within 5 days of signing up payable to
Obsidians and mail to Chris Shuraleff, 34790 Matthews Road, Eugene 97405 Thank you Refund, provided alternate can take your place. Meetup/Departure Location: To be determined at pre-trip meeting

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-05-04
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 8:19 pm and moonrise is 7:34 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 as the sun sets. (Full Moon is May 5.) 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.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-05-05
: East Trailhead – from Eugene, drive east on Highway 58 towardsPleasant Hill. Turn left on Ridgeway Road at the 76 Station and drive 1.7 miles to the parking area on the left. The parking lot is small, but vehicles can also park on the main road if necessary. Lane County Parking Pass is required to park in the lot. Remove any valuables from your vehicle. There is a porta potty at the trailhead. We will hike to the summit on trails #2, 4 and then #1 and returning on trail #6.Optional lunch following hike.
