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.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-05-02, 2023-05-16
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.

Columbia Gorge Hiking
2023-05-02 00:00 - 2023-05-04 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
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

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-05-03, 2023-05-10, 2023-05-17
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.

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.

Mountaineering Conditioning
2023-05-04, 2023-05-17
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).

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.

Mack’s Canyon Deschutes Mack’s Canyon Deschutes R. Bkpk
2023-05-05 00:00 - 2023-05-07 23:59
Come hike one of the remotest sections of the incomparable Deschutes River Trail. We’ll assemble at the Mack’s Canyon campground trailhead on Friday afternoon. The area contains a 5,000 year old archaeological site that was variously inhabited till recent times. We’ll hike north downriver following the east bank of the beautiful Deschutes River canyon trending along an abandoned rail bed constructed during the frontier railway wars of European settlement. We’ll see twisted lava rock formations and an impressive variety of resident and migratory birds. We’ll camp Friday night approx 4 miles from TH. Saturday we’ll pack up and continue down river approx 6 more miles to camp. If time allows we can day hike from there to explore the historic Harris ranch site containing remnants of the ranch house, barn, corrals, water tank, and stone walled hay fields. Sunday pack up and return to TH.
The leader will be in Bend on business through Thursday that week and will be camping at the Mack’s Canyon Campground next to the trailhead on Thursday night. Participants are welcome to come early and camp as well. Those leaving from Eugene please carpool and note that a chunk of the drive time should be allocated to the last 17 miles from Sherer Falls down the BLM access road following the Deschutes to the campground.

Diamond Peak - Graduation Climb
2023-05-06
This climb is intended for recent graduates of the Obsidians Climb School. We will ascend via the Pioneer Gulch route on the south to southwest side of the mountain. The climb is approximately 10 miles round trip with over 4000 ft of total elevation gain. As you prepare for this, think about hiking 4 Mount Pisgahs in a day

COYOTE WALL
2023-05-06
This trail is on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, and is shared with mountain bikers. Every step of the way offers beautiful views of the surroundings which include the Gorge, many miles of the Columbia River, Mt. Hood, the towns of Lyle, Washington and Mosier, Oregon, and the massive wall itself. Much of the trail is rocky with difficult footing, so a walking stick{s} or trekking poles are strongly encouraged. Many birds, hawks and others, are seen along the way.

Watch Colleen Run hike
2023-05-07
Let’s get a little exercise and watch Obsidian Colleen Milliman who will be attempting
to set her fourth world track record on May 7 at the Hayward Classic on Hayward Field.
Admission is free.
She will be racing in the 95 to 99 year old age group in the 800
NOTE: no backpacks at Hayward Field. Consider a clear plastic bag. Read details here:
https://policies.uoregon.edu/vol-4-finance-administration-infrastructure/ch-7-real-property-facilities-planning/articles-and Meetup/Departure Location: Alton Baker Park main parking lot by bathroom

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-05-09
We will start on time at 6:45am. 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.
There are two ways to get to the trailhead:
1. 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.
2. 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!
2023-05-09
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.

Hawkins-Iris-Graveyard
2023-05-11
cancelled

Evening Hike to Hendricks
2023-05-11
Meet at the new trailhead at Spring Street and 30th, please be prompt. If you have any questions about this location, call me. This trail approaches the park from the south, we’ll hike through Hendricks and return. The flowers are in bloom! Bathrooms are available at Hendricks.

Lodge & grounds cleanup
2023-05-12
Having a bit of spring cleaning. There will be several events at the Lodge right after the clean-up effort. The usual cleaning inside plus gutter and down spouts. Once gutters are cleaned we can deal with the mess we may have made on the side walkway. Hopefully, it has been dry enough to have given us a change to kill the walkway, steps, and entry moss. Still might need some scrubbing and /or pressure washing.
I’m sure that things will be growing and we will need to mow, trim, and weed.
We’ll have something for everyone!

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2023-05-13
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

Controlled burns @ Willow Creek
2023-05-13
We’re all hearing about the need for more fire on our wild landscapes. Join Jeff Rosier, Steward of Willow Creek Preserve, to learn how controlled burns are being used to help restore native prairie ecosystems and increase habitat for the Fender’s Blue Butterfly. Once thought extinct, this butterfly is endemic to the Willamette Valley and was listed as endangered in 2000. Walk to various areas in the preserve. Observe the differences between before and after 2022 fire treated areas. Learn how Willow Creek Preserve has assisted this butterfly, it’s host plant and other native prairie species. After Jeff’s presentation and tour, we will have time for more walking at Willow Creek Preserve. And there will be an optional hike at Iris Ridge nearby after our Willow Creek Preserve adventure.

Smith Rock
2023-05-13 00:00 - 2023-05-14 23:59
We will be meeting at Albertsons on 58th and Main Street in Springfield. to caravan over to Smith Rock. This is a 2 day climbing trip. We will be car camping Saturday night at a close by dispersed campground with no services of any kind. Bring extra water, tent, food, and your climbing harness and shoes. You may choose to only climb one day, or stay for both. Your choice. Please take car camping and length of stay when deciding to carpool or not. If rain is predicted for the weekend, I will reschedule the climb. We will go to two different climbing areas within Smith Rock over the weekend. One requires a 40 minute hike in, so bring good and comfortable hiking shoes. Meetup/Departure Location: Albertsons on 58th street Springfield

Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast & Rhody Walk
2023-05-14
The Entertainment and Bus Trips committees are co-sponsoring a Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast at the Lodge, followed by a hike to the Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden.
We will be serving pancakes, syrup, coffee, OJ, and other fixings from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Arrive any time. After breakfast, groups of hikers will set off on the Ribbon Trail for the garden. For those unable to hike, we will carpool to the garden and drop off walkers and then be picked up. Or you may prefer to stay at the Lodge, work a jigsaw puzzle, play a game, or just converse with old friends. We expect to be done by 2:00 p.m. CONTACT JIM NORTHROP, 541-343-3426 or jim.b.northrop@gmail.com, FOR QUESTIONS OR TO ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

Fitton Green
2023-05-16

Trip Leaders mtg
2023-05-16
We haven’t had any kind of meeting to kickoff the summer season since 2019 and we need to get back together. A lot has changed ( no member trip fees, expanded stewardship, easier trip close out steps, and a new website look). Our membership is growing and everyone is eager get out more. Let’s plan for that.
This meeting is for everyone! There will be certain topics about procedures for leaders but everyone who is out on the trails should be aware of best practices for safe and enjoyable outings. Safety is always a topic and we will add to that with a limited amount for supplies to refill your personal first aid kits.
The changes to the website are gathering momentum and we will preview that as progress allows.
Count on these things: a lot of information, stories to be shared, a variety of resources for planning your trips, snacks, and maybe even a fire starter test.

Vickery Park Explora Hike
2023-05-19
Meeting place: The Weyerhauser McKenzie Natural Area parking lot, at the corner of 42nd and Marcola Rd., in Springfield.
Vickery Park is a mostly undeveloped Lane County Park east of Springfield off of Camp Creek Road. It is a lush, forested butte that rises above Camp Creek and the McKenzie River. We will hike up a trail to the summit, stopping frequently to enjoy the varied wildflowers and birdsong, and to read the brass dedication plaque. We may make an additional short loop on a narrow footpath that is sometimes rocky and briefly steep to a spot with a nice view, and another short detour on an overgrown jeep road to get one more view of the river. Please wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt as the vegetation can be close to the trail and includes poison oak. Poles may be helpful for spots of moderately difficult footing on the loop. Allow about 3 hours for the trip.
