Browder Ridge
2021-06-25
6/16 Update: Meet behind the McDonalds at Hwy 126 and Main Street in Springfield. Please arrive early as we will depart at 8:00 am sharp. Traffic delays are likely on Hwy 126 in the morning, but less so on our return. The trail is narrow and rocky in places, and there is some blowdown to maneuver around, so bring poles if you use them. The trail switchbacks up over half of the total elevation gain in the first 1.4 miles, then arrives at a viewpoint for a well-earned break. Our pace will be steady but relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fine wildflowers and excellent views of the peaks. A broad, rocky overlook will be a great place for lunch. We will probably not take the unmaintained part of the trail to the summit because of difficult trail conditions, which would reduce the total mileage and elevation gain. Send me an email if you have a question.

Fern Ridge picnic and games
2021-06-25
Bring blankets or chairs, picnic dinner and games (Frisbee, Badminton, Croquet Set, Ball, Cornhole, Horseshoes etc..)
We have no set program so enjoy evening with Obsidians friends, eat, play, swim, stroll around, leave early, or stay for sunset watch at 9PM. Temperature forecast is HOT, so have your choice of sun protection and hydration.
Orchard Point Park location > 44.11406, -123.27506 !! Reminder: No dogs, firearms, illegal drugs or alcohol are allowed on any Obsidian trip. Meetup/Departure Location: Orchard Point Park

Mt Adams
2021-06-25 00:00 - 2021-06-27 23:59, 2021-07-02 00:00 - 2021-07-03 23:59, 2021-07-09 00:00 - 2021-07-10 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
We will be climbing the standard route on Mt Adams. It is on the southside and is accessed via Cold Springs trailhead. We’ll be camping near the “lunch counter” which is at 9,000 ft. The summit is at 12,276 ft. The glissade down from the summit is legendary.

Spencer Butte from Fox Hollow
2021-06-26
The tie Trail is open on week-ends. Start early to avoid the heat. See the work on the Tie Trail and see the view from the top of the Butte. If you need a longer hike, you can always add Amazon Headwaters before or after. Meetup/Departure Location: Fox Hollow Parking lot

Devil's Staircase/Dark Grove
2021-06-27, 2021-07-09
We will make a loop hike through the dense old growth forest of the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness that was officially designated in 2019. This the largest area of old-growth forest remaining in the Coast Range, and the trees are enormous. However there are no maintained trail nor trailheads in this area, but we will follow some faint user trails and elk trails along a route the Obsidians hiked twice before, from one informal trailhead to another, with a return by a logging road.
Please be advised that this is a off-trail, bushwhack trip that requires crawling over and under countless logs, through thickets of devil’s club, vine maple and nettles, and climbing up and down steep creek banks. Our progress will be slow and we will need to take extra precautions to keep the group together. There are no fine views or sights to see, but we will be immersed in the forest. The final two miles of driving are on a very rough and overgrown road. I will scout the trip in early June and depending upon the road conditions it may be necessary to consolidate the hikers into one or two HCV for the approach. Loop is about 5 very difficult miles with a 900 ft elevation loss, then gain. About half of that 5 miles is on user’s trail or bushwhack, while the other half on old logging roads along the ridges.

E2C bike Pleasant Hill to Dexter
2021-06-27
NOTE: Time change! This bike ride is part of the Eugene to Pacific Crest Trail (E2C) connection. For details about the E2C project, see the May Bulletin. You just might win a prize for both biking and hiking sections of the trail! We will meet at the Pleasant Hill shopping center across Highway 58 from Dairy Queen (east side of the parking lot near the coffee kiosk). We will bike on low traffic roads past the east trailhead on Mt Pisgah; the turnaround point will be the Dexter Lake Club where some scenes in the movie “Animal House” were filmed. Bathroom and snack stop at Elijah Bristow State Park. The following link has the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36423489

Macduff Mountain
2021-06-28
This hike will be the 90th anniversary of the placing of a brass plaque on Macduff Mt to honor Nelson Macduff, a former forest service supervisor and Obsidian member. This year I’ll be doing the shorter route to the summit from road 411. The trail is a beautifully engineered trail up a steep ridge through a well shaded forest with bountiful wildflowers, great views of Sawtooth Ridge, and a clear view from the summit of the Oregon Cascades from Mt Hood to Diamond Peak. It is a rough and steep gravel road to the trailhead that is not suitable for low clearance vehicles. If you don’t know Macduff’s location, see the July 2012 trip report on The Report Page.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-06-29
The name is the same but the path is different! Because of the City’s work to improve the Tie Trail our path to the top of the butte is closed. Instead of going up the Tie trail we’ll continue to follow the Ridgeline Trail east and complete the Dillard trails loop
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 trial head is on your left in about ½ mile.

West Trail Steps
2021-06-30
We will continue our project from 2 months ago to add steps to the upper West Trail.
Meet at the main Willamette Trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette Street.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-06-30
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7:45-8:00
The name is the same but the path is different! Because of the City’s work to improve the Tie Trail our path to the top of the butte is closed. Instead of going up the Tie trail we’ll turn left at Fox Hollow and take the lower trail to reach Dillard Road. At the Dillard Trailhead we’ll take the right hand trail to reach the summit of Mt Baldy. The mileage and elevation given is based on this route. There are options for extending or making variations to this route. Any changes will be at the discretion of the leader
Every Wednesday for several years we’ve done 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. It is a great way to get and stay in shape. If this is your first time on this Obsidian hike and/or if this is the first time you have hiked up Spencer Butte from the lowest elevation, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. Registered guests are welcome. 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 call the leader if any questions.

Mt Pisgah
2021-06-30
Meet at main parking area look for my blue Honda CRV – will park furthest row away from trail head. We’ll take 17 /7/ 3 / 4 to the top and back down 1 /3 /7.
The pace is geared for conditioning, if you have any questions give me a call.
Please bring water!

Bachelor Mt. Via Bugaboo Ridge
2021-06-30
This is a moderate hike with a lot of bang. Great flowers and terrific views of Mt. Jefferson.

Bachelor Mt. via Bugaboo Ridge
2021-06-30
Views of Mt Jefferson and wildflowers are the highlights of this trip.

Williams Lake Backpack
2021-06-30 00:00 - 2021-07-02 23:59
Williams lake is one of my favorite scenic mountain lakes. It is in the middle of the Erma Bell Lakes Loop – about 4 miles. It is a great swimming lake with many flat spots for tents. Hopefully we will be after the snow but before the mosquitoes hit hard.
We will meet at my house in Thurston which several cars can be parked safely. Hopefully some can carpool to my house. We will stay two nights with a day in between to explore side trails. I will email mail more details a week from the trip. This would be a great backpack for a beginner. Please email or call me with any questions.

Horsepasture Mountain
2021-07-01
This is a great workout hike with abundant wildflowers and great views from the summit. We’ll start this hike from road 1993 on what’s called Saddle Mountain trail 3326 which switchbacks up 1575 feet in 2.2 miles to the standard Horsepasture trail. From there we’ll climb another 700 feet to the summit.

Perpetua + Loop Hike
2021-07-01 00:00 - 2021-07-02 23:59
Escape the heat! We are staying at the spacious Group Camp at Cape Perpetua for one night. This trip will allow for lots of time to explore side trails, the beach area. The (optional) loop hike is the 6.5-mile Cook’s Ridge, Gwynn Creek & Oregon Coast Trail loop. This will be moderately-paced with lots of opportunities for taking pictures, double-checking nature guides, and learning more about really big Sitka Spruce, the Tree-of-Life, and other fauna.
This trip begins at the Cape Perpetua Group Camp (44.2805, -124.0942). The trip leader has paid for this site in advance, please pay the trip leader $15 per person (Obsidian trip fee is additional). Participants are responsible for arranging their travel to/from the site. Bring all your food, tents, etc. Be prepared for all types of coastal weather. If we are allowed a fire by the Forest Service, everyone should pitch in a dollar for firewood.
Thursday, July 1st:
The trip leader will be at the group camp by 6 pm, but you are welcome to arrive anytime after 2pm. The afternoon and evening times are open for exploring Cape Perpetua or grabbing a bite to eat in Yachats.
Friday, July 2nd:
In the morning, we pack up camp and drive a short distance to the main parking area by the Visitor’s Center. We will hike (again, this hike is optional) 6.5 miles on the Cook’s Ridge, Gwynn Creek, Oregon Coast Trail loop. This involves 1,000 feet of elevation gain over the first 2.2 miles, then is all downhill. Bring lunch/snacks/water as we will take a break at the Cook’s Ridge/Gwynn Creek Trail junction then return via the Gwynn Creek Trail. Afterward, return home or hang out on the coast. The plan is to be finished and return to Eugene (latest by 5pm) before most of the Holiday weekend traffic leaves town.

Berry Creek & beach, cleanup
2021-07-03
Our workplace is located just a few miles north of Florence, OR.
The Obsidian Volunteer Party will clean up the area around Berry Creek and the adjacent beach.
We will meet at Target W11, Eugene and carpool to the Baker Beach trail-head 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.

Berry Creek & beach, cleanup
2021-07-03
CHANGE OF LOCATION> Due to increased concern about snowy plover nesting areas, our July 3 2021 beach clean-up is moved to the different location. New location is Florence’s North jetty. https://goo.gl/maps/TcFnabiH5SRtDJHw6
We will meet at Target W11, Eugene and carpool to the Florence’s North Jetty 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.

Spencer Butte from Fox Hollow
2021-07-04
Start early to avoid the heat and crowds. The Tie Trail is open on week-ends so we can see the continuing repair work. The hike takes around 2 hours round trip. I will have a cherry snack to share on top.
If you need a 10 K to remind you of the Butte to Butte race, you can always hike to Dillard and back before or after our hike.
Meetup/Departure Location: Fox Hollow parking lot

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-07-06
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 trial head is on your left in about ½ mile.
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
2021-07-07
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 7;45:8:00 AM
This will be to the top of Baldy with options for those interested to go to Spring Blvd. and back up. Just let me know what you are doing.
No masks are needed.
Make sure you have enough water and sunscreen.

Olallie Mountain
2021-07-08
The hike up Olallie Mt is always a great hike. The trail follows a ridge through a portion of burned forest left by the 2018 Terwilliger Fire but eventually crosses a lush meadow with plenty of wildflowers before reaching the spectacular views from the summit. The trip to the trailhead does involve a 11 mile one-way drive on gravel road 1993.

Lowder Mountain
2021-07-10
This out-and-back hike follows Lowder Mountain Trail #3329 for 2.1 miles to an intersection with Walker Creek Trail #3330. We’ll follow this rather faint trail along some switchbacks to a couple of large summit meadows, and then follow cairns to a lunch spot and viewpoint 750 feet above Karl and Ruth Lakes. There are good views all the way from Mt. Hood to Mt. Bachelor. At the end of the hike, there will be the option of taking a 1 mile out-and-back, 130 foot elevation loss trail to view the Quaking Aspen swamp, which has plenty of Corn Lilies but seemingly no Quaking Aspens. Without taking this option, the Lowder Mountain hike is 6 miles and 875 feet elevation gain.
Note to drivers: the last 9.2 miles is gravel with a few potholes in places, but is navigable in a regular car. It can also be dusty.

Marion Mountain
2021-07-10
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 also hike past Lake Ann and then along Marion Lake before heading up to Marion Mt for some beautiful views of Mt Jefferson. There will be lots of sun exposure on this hike so a swim in Marion Lake is a possibility. Some of us will be stopping at Takoda’s restaurant in Rainbow after the hike.NOTE: There is an extra $1 fee per person to pay for the wilderness permit.

PCT / 58 to Lils Lake
2021-07-11
We will hike from Willamette Pass PCT trailhead South on PCT along Odell Lake, Midnight Lake and Hidden Lake to, and around the Lils Lake (intersection with Yoran Lake trail #3846) Mostly up. Could be bugs. Swimming opportunities.
Return same way back. Self-issue permit at the Diamond Peak Wilderness entry.

Spencer Butte from Fox Hollow
2021-07-11
Start early to avoid the heat and crowds. The Tie Trail is open on week-ends so we can see the continuing repair work. The hike takes around 2 hours round trip Meetup/Departure Location: Fox Hollow parking lot

OCT: Depoe Bay to Newport
2021-07-11 00:00 - 2021-07-13 23:59
The Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) explores Oregon’s dynamic edge, a resource-rich environment that has attracted explorers for centuries and into today. The focus is on beach walking, utilizing lesser-traveled side roads and trails. Hiking next to Hwy 101 will be avoided as much as possible. The hike is intended to be enjoyed with a daypack and then return to a central location for tent camping. We will be car shuttling between the start and end locations each day. This trip is exploratory; flexibility is a must. Obsidian Covid protocols will be in place. The trip leader is vaccinated.
This trip is a 3-day, 18-mile section hike of the OCT between Depoe Bay and Newport. Our route will explore the middle area of this section on the first day, the northern part on the second, and the southerly part on the third day. We will be camping at the Beverly Beach State Park Group Camp #2. Optional: there will be ample time for additional beach exploration of 5 miles.
SCHEDULE:
Day 1: Sunday: At least 2 miles of hiking today with an option for more. All participants should meet at the departure location and we will explore the Yaquina Head Lighthouse & Natural Area. About 3:30 pm, we will drive a short distance to Beverly Beach State Park and setup in a group camping area. That afternoon and evening, we can beach walk between Beverly Beach and an outcrop before Yaquina Head (approx. 5 miles round trip), going any further is dependent upon tides and weather.
Day 2: Monday: 7 miles of hiking today. In the morning, we shuttle north to Depoe Bay and explore a 1.5-mile section of the coast, between Pirate Cove and just south of Deport Bay, making a stop at the whale watch center, and possibly another whale-related building. Then we drive south a short distance south to the Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint to park. After a few hundred feet of highway walking we turn onto Otter Crest Loop, a low-use, one-way, secondary road that offers great views of the rugged coast several hundred feet below along with coastal woods. Our route will take us to Cape Foulweather & the Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint area where the road descends to the Devil’s Punchbowl. Near the Punchbowl we will return to the sand and walk to Beverly Beach State Park. Optional: We have the rest of the day to explore or possibly visit Newport’s waterfront in the evening.
Day 3: Tuesday: 6 miles total. In the mid-morning, we will break camp. To avoid an unsightly two-mile stretch of 101 we will arrange shuttles, then start at the Agate Beach Recreation Area in Newport. We will explore north along Agate Beach, next to the Big Creek, before continuing south to the historic Nye Beach. At Nye Beach, we ascend to neighborhood streets and continue another mile and a half to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. We end our trip at the base of the lighthouse overlooking the beautiful Yaquina Bay Bridge. We should return to Eugene in the late afternoon.
ADDITIONAL:
FOOD: Bring all of your food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).
CLOTHING: Dress for the weather; it can be cool on at coast in the summer or have full sun. Plan on small creek crossings and getting your feet wet.
EQUIPMENT: Tent and a small camp stove etc.
CAMPGROUND: Our group camp is partially in the trees. We might hear some highway noise. There are picnic tables. Flush toilets and showers in the campground (check the State Park website for the current situation). Bring earplugs, shower shoes, and items that help you to be comfortable.
DRIVERS: Drivers needed, we need at least 2, possibly 3 drivers who will shuttle between start and end locations.
VEHICLE FEE: Trip fees pay for a total of 5 vehicles at the campground, any additional cars need to pay $7/night.
PASSES: Bring your state park and federal park passes (Yaquina Head is managed by the BLM)
DEPARTURE LOCATION: Participants are responsible for getting to the Newport, Oregon, area, and return transport. We will meet Sunday, noon (12pm) at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area Interpretive Center parking lot. The Group leader will confirm with participants one week before the trip about the departure location.
PAYMENTA). Total of $25/person; $23/person to the trip leader) includes 2 nights of campground fees, firewood, and *should* cover all cars, the Obsidian trip fee is $2/person.B). Pay the trip leader on the first day of the trip.
