The Obsidians

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-01-04, 2023-01-11, 2023-01-18, 2023-01-25
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.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-01-06
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset 4.49 and full moonrise is 4:26. Current plan is take Trails 7,3, and 1 to summit. Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions.
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.

Hendricks to Nat.History Museum
2023-01-06
Meet at Hendricks Park by the parking lot across from the shelter at Fairmount and Floral Hill at 8:30 a.m. We will talk the long route, crossing the river and following the Canoe Canal Trail before circling back to the University. All paved or well packed trail, no mud. The Museum is free on Friday, and stopping there is optional.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-01-10, 2023-01-17, 2023-01-24
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.

Odell Overlook
2023-01-11
…A sshoe to the overlook of Odell Lake..B in shape! (in shape 2 me means U walk 3 mi ,3 times a week or work out @ a gym 3 times a wk)….We will walk to shelter 1 mi in, then do a loop returning to shelter again & then bac 2 the car….

Hendricks Park Aerobic
2023-01-13
Meet at the Hendricks Park shelter near Summit and Floral Hill. In the forest section of the park, uphill from Fairmount Blvd., is a junction with one up/down and four down/up trails. All together they total about 2.25 miles and at a brisk pace provide a good aerobic workout, with no long downhill stretches to slow your heartbeat. Once we get oriented (it is hard to get lost there), everything will be at your own pace for as long as you choose. A good walk to do with a hiking buddy who keeps the same pace as you. All well packed trail, no mud. Restroom nearby.

Deschutes Canyon New Year Bkpk
2023-01-13 00:00 - 2023-01-15 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Come test out that new holiday gear and start the backpacking year just because you can with this low-elevation dry-side hike of the enchanting Deschutes River canyon. We’ll see striking rock formations, historic sites, migrating waterfowl and nesting eagles. Depart Eugene Friday for 3.5 hour drive to the 10 essentials and 2 days of food. Stoves are necessary as there is no firewood in the canyon. The trail should be in good shape with a few muddy spots, but overall clear and snow-free. Be prepared for rain/snow showers and night-time freezing temps. Or it can be 60* if skies are clear. near Warm Springs. Hike 2.5 miles down canyon to the Luelling Homestead Camp. Saturday day-hike down canyon following the route of the historic Oregon Trunk Railroad with turn around lunch at Trout Creek Camp. Sunday pack up and return to Mecca Flat Trailhead.

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2023-01-14
Meet at the Obsidian Lodge to start the hike on the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park and back. This is an opportunity to find out about the Obsidians, get acquainted with members, and visit our lodge. This hike through the woods has a few short bursts of steep up and down hill. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions.
Drive past the Laurelwood Golf Course up 27th St then at the top of the hill turn right onto Spring Blvd, a one lane road. When Spring Blvd ends at a T intersection, turn left and immediately look for the Obsidians sign and driveway on your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. The Lodge is hard to find so if you want to view the map, go to the Obsidian home page. http://obsidians.org/lodgemap.htm

Ray Benson Snowshoe
2023-01-14
Snowshoe to North Blow Out Shelter at Ray Benson Sno Park. Depending on the conditions will be between 4 and 7 miles, our goal is to go the distance, please be in good shape to participate.
Drivers: need snow park pass, recommend vehicles with AWD and/or carry chains.
Many participants like to stop at Takodas afterwards for an early dinner, beverages. Please check with your driver and choose accordingly.
This trip may be rescheduled if the conditions are not great.

Mt Pisgah
2023-01-14
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Depending on weather, I plan to take the Incense Cedar Trail through the Arboretum and then back trails- 5, 56, 6- to the summit.
Mileage and elevation could vary depending on the weather (rain). At the summit, you may choose to head directly back to the parking lot or continue to the North Trailhead and walk back along the river.
If you don’t have a Lane County pass, allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station.
If questions, Email at jbjacobsen@comcast.net

Thurston Hills Rain Wander
2023-01-14
Quartz Park, Springfield (2300 S 60th St, Springfield, OR
Miles and elevation are approximate. Dress for liquid sunshine.

Eagle View Ridge
2023-01-15
Where is Eagle View Ridge you may ask? It’s what I call the ridge directly north of Stag Lake. The elevation is about 6500′. We will start from Crescent Lake Sno-Park and head up the Fawn Lake trail, pass Fawn Lake on the east side, and head northwest to the top of the ridge. If conditions are right, it’s a great descent off the ridge, be ready for some turns! Drivers will need a Sno-Park permit.

Marilyn Lakes / Gold Lake
2023-01-16
Snowshoe to Marilyn and Gold Lakes. We’ll park at Gold Sno Park then cross the highway.
This trip will be limited to the first 9 who sign up unless there are more drivers. If you can drive, please have AWD or carry chains and indicate your ability to drive in the sign up area.
Please have appropriate layers, prepare for weather changes. Microspikes are always a good idea for this hike as the parking lot and highway can be icy.
Trip may be rescheduled if weather changes.
You should be in good shape, this is not considered a beginner snow shoe.

GameNight!
2023-01-19
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.

Pisgah East Side Loop
2023-01-20
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 trails #2. #4 and #1 then return on 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.

Ray Benson
2023-01-20
The weather for Friday is looking very good right now so we finally have a chance to go snowshoeing. We’ll park at Ray Benson and head to the North Blowout shelter. Depending on conditions we’ll either take the short loop back to the parking lot or make a longer trip to Island Junction shelter. Mileage for this trip could very from 4 to 7 miles. A stop at Takoda’s afterwards is a possibility.

Amazon Creek Tree Planting
2023-01-21
This activity is on Sat., Jan. 21st, it is weather dependent so leader will keep in touch with you if the planting is cancelled.
We are partnering with SE Neighbors on this project. The trees will be planted along E. Amazon and W. Amazon.
What: 100 bare root trees provided by the city include: alder, choke cherry, bitter cherry, and cascara. All of these are suited to that part of Amazon Creek, and all are shorter stature so would be less likely to impact nearby powerlines in the future.
Where: The 100 trees will be spread out throughout the reach from Snell to 30th, with approximately 65 between Snell and Fox Hollow, 125 or so between Fox Hollow and 30th. Another 10-20 will be planted on the East side. They will be planted linearly but there will be gaps where there are already mature trees.

Martin to Spring
2023-01-21
Mileage and elevation is an estimate. From Martin Street we will take the Amazon Headwaters Trail to Fox Hollow, Dillard, up Baldy and down to Spring Blvd. Trailhead. Once we get to Baldy and depending on the weather and group interest, we have some shorter options for our loop trip to get back to our cars.
If questions, email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net

Redtop Mountain
2023-01-22
The Obsidians have been leading ski trips up Red Top Mountain since 1940, the era of the Snow Trains which sometimes unloaded at Crescent Lake. Nowadays, with splitboards and AT bindings, it has become quite a popular destination. Please bring climbing skins that fit your boards, although in good snow conditions it is possible to climb up using fish scales or pattern bases. If the snow is deep our group may ski down the steep shots to the north side of the mountain and pass Pretty Lake on the way out. We usually ski up for about 3 hours and down for at least 90 minutes.

Salt Creek Falls
2023-01-25
See water falls, lake, deep woods…..The hike is somewhat level ……cliffs in the area…..Can be difficult if there is a lot of snow

Hikes after the fires Potluck - Bill Sullivan
2023-01-27
Author and hiking guru William L. Sullivan takes us on a slide show tour of new and changed trails he discovered while updating his “100 Hikes” guidebooks for Oregon. Sullivan will also talk about what’s changed because of recent wildfires, tell how to get permits for trails with limited access, and describe terrific but overlooked trails.

Mt Pisgah
2023-01-27
We have options to shorten the mileage—depending on the group and rain. I’ll try to have my car in the row(s) below the fee box and gate so that it is easy for us to meet, sign up. etc. . I plan to take back trails (down Trail 4 and up Trail 2) to the summit. Mileage and elevation could vary but around 6 miles to 7 miles at a steady pace.
Estimated time close to 3 hours.

Ridgeline Drainage
2023-01-28
The project will be working on drainage on the Ridgeline from Willamette and 52nd to the Tie Trail.
Meet at the Willamette and 52nd Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot on Willamette.

Nye Beach to Yaquina Head
2023-01-29
Midweek update – Wed PM, Jan 25: The weather is looking better and better. It will be sunny but chilly, so bring layers. Bikinis not recommended at this time, but it should be a lovely walk on the beach!
We’ll park at the Nye Beach turnaround for a 3.6 mile beach stroll north to Yaquina Head for lunch. Low tide is at 1:14 PM so we’ll have plenty of time to explore the lighthouse, the views, and the tidepools at the Yaquina Head Marine Gardens.
So far, the weather looks good – some clouds, some sun peeking out, no rain. If a storm comes up I may cancel, so CHECK YOUR EMAIL!
Meet on the RIGHT-hand side of the Jerry’s parking lot (that’s your right as you drive into the parking lot from 99)

Carpenter Bypass Explora
2023-01-29
Meet at Amazon Park for a short scenic drive via Lorane Hwy and Teritorial Hwy, to Lorane then hike through the wood. We will hike on well-groomed mountain bike trails and old logging roads.
Miles and elevations are approximate. Distance and elevation record will be updated after the hike.
