The Obsidians

Macduff Mountain
2020-06-28
I wasn’t able to lead an annual trip to Macduff last year as the road was closed all summer. This year I’ve decided to hike to the summit of Macduff from a different trailhead. Instead of hiking from the West end of the O’Leary trail off road 411 we’ll be hiking from the East end of the trail which starts off road 1993 from a trail called Saddle Mt trail 3326. The first two miles the trail switchbacks up to the saddle between Horsepasture and O’Leary. From there it heads East past O’Leary and McLennan before reaching Macduff. After lunch on Macduff we’ll return on the same trail. This will be the 89th anniversary of the placement of the brass plaque on Macduff Mt commemorating Nelson Macduff, a former Obsidian member. This trail has always been a great place for wildflowers.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information

Weyerhaeuser Haul Rd
2020-06-28
Weyerhaeuser Haul Rd: Wallace Creek to Hills Creek. Yes, an afternoon hike! This is a lovely hike on a wide parially paved old logging road. It will be easy to socially distance.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information.

OCT#1: Depoe Bay-Newport
2020-06-28 00:00 - 2020-06-30 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) is scenic and diverse and best experienced on foot. Mark is leading a series of section hikes to explore this amazing trail. You are welcome to join all the walks or any that strike your fancy. Please note, OCT trips should be considered as exploratory; flexibility is a must. All of the section hikes are intended to be enjoyed with a daypack, and always return to a central location for tent camping, showers, etc. Trips focus on beach walking, utilizing lesser-traveled side roads and trails. Hiking next to Hwy 101 will be avoided as much as possible. To maximize beach time, and minimize highway walking, we will be car shuttling between start and end locations as needed on the trip.
This trip is a 3-day, 16-mile section hike of the OCT between Depoe Bay and Newport. Our route will explore the middle part of this section on the first day, the northern area on the second, and the southerly part on the third day.
Sign-up & Payment:
A). The trip will be available for online signup May 9, 2020.
B). Within 5 days of signing up, mail $30 to Mark Hougardy, 418 Heritage Oaks Drive, Eugene, Oregon, 97405; this amount covers your campground reservation, firewood, entry for to 3 vehicles at the group camp, and trip fees
C). The payment is non-refundable unless your place is filled by someone else.
SCHEDULE:Day 1: Sunday: At least 4 miles of walking today with options for more exploring. We will depart Eugene and drive north to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse & Natural Area. We will have lunch near the interpretive center. We will spend the day on the peninsula’s trails and enjoying a cobbled beach. Later, we will beach walk between Yaquina Head and Beverly Beach. In the late afternoon, we will set up at Beverly Beach State Park (in a Group Camp).
Day 2: Monday: 6 miles of hiking today. In the morning, we shuttle north to Depoe Bay and explore a 1-mile section of the coast, making a stop at the whale watch center. 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. Our route will take us to the 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 continue to Beverly Beach State Park. We have the rest of the day to explore and make good use of the camp showers. Optional: if time/energy allows, we might visit Newport’s waterfront for dinner.
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 drive the Agate Beach Recreation Area in Newport. We will walk north along Agate Beach, next to the river, before continuing south to the historic Nye Beach. At Nye Beach, we ascend to neighborhood streets and continue another mile 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.

Bachelor Mt. via Bugaboo Ridge
2020-06-29
Wildflowers and great views of Mt. Jefferson. Note: I have limited the number of hikers because there is limited space for parking at the trail head. If people are choosing to drive together, I will open the hike up to more participants. t
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information.

Horse Rock
2020-06-30
Meet at Santa Clara Plaza parking lot, N River Rd near Burger King. From the trailhead we will hike through a small pine stand into a meadow, then along a gently rising grassy ridge. Our destination will be an eroded volcanic vent and radial dyke that erupted roughly 30-36 m.y.a.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information.

Swing Hill Loop
2020-06-30
Meet at North Pisgah parking area. We’ll walk down the lane and then take the “horse trail” up to trail 3 and make a loop around Swing Hill. Easy pace

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2020-07-01
CHANGE OF PLACE of DEPARTURE. 52nd and Willamette Trailhead (not the upper paved lot). Trail Maintenance on the Fox section has closed the the trail we usually take. Please read the Covid-19 guidelines on the website! Bring a face covering.
Please come a few minutes early so we can leave on time for our conditioning hike.
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. (Please scroll down to read all of this trip description.)
Social distancing will be maintained. Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols.
If you meet someone going your way, MASK UP, excuse yourself and pass. If someone is coming the other way, MASK UP and if that person doesn’t get over, step aside and face away. If you are following within 8 feet of another person, you should mask up. You are in their slipstream. People can change their pace and suddenly you’re too close. PLEASE DO THIS.
If you can’t see up the trail far enough to have time to put on your covering, leave it on. Make sure you can quickly put on your face covering. Don’t congregate when you meet someone on the trail or on the summit. Maintain face coverings or stay 6 feet apart.
If you don’t feel well, please don’t come. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2020-07-01
This is a little shorter than the way from Martin, but the destination is unchanged. PLACE of DEPARTURE. 52nd and Willamette Trailhead (not the upper paved lot).
The hike is now open to 12 people, but I am more conservative about Covid than it would appear the rest of the area is.
Therefore, wear a mask or a face shield. I wear the latter, and in summer days without fogging, there is virtually no issue at all. Both will protect both you and the other person. The Obsidians need to stand for good trail etiquette and good citizenship.
Bring some gloves and a bag to pick up any litter. I saw a dropped mask the other day, and I didn’t want to pick it up. We need to get back to doing that.
MASKS ARE A SIGN OF RESPECT AND ARE TO SOME EXTENT PROTECTIVE OF YOURSELF AS WELL. I would like to see Obsidians wearing them in public, especially given our age. I don’t expect to be the agent of change, but I guess I keep hoping….
Please social distance as well. Increasing this from 60-69% makes a huge difference in the shape of the curve.
Finally, it will be CANADA DAY!!!

Horsepasture Mountain
2020-07-02
This is the first of 10 hikes I’m planning for the month of July to get into shape for the rest of the summer. I’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. This is a great workout hike to great views from the summit.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2020-07-03
Please read the COVID-19 Protocols on the website. Met two rows down below the gate in the parking lot. My current plan is to take Trail 4 intersecting the main trail to the top. Moonrise is at 7:57 pm and sunset is at 8:58. (The full moon is the next night)
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. To buy an annual pass and support the trails, check out the websites for Friends of the Buford Park ($50.00) or Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. ($50.00/$40.00 for seniors). if you have questions, email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net

Beach clean-up with SOLVE
2020-07-05
SOLVE is a state-wide non-profit organization that takes action every day to keep Oregon clean and green. They mobilize over 35,000 volunteers and organize over 1,000 cleanup and restoration projects throughout the state.
SOLVE mission: Bring Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Beach Cleanups on July 5 are crucial in removing litter and debris left from 4th of July celebrations.
Please join me on our next SOLVE cleanup project. We will clean lovely small beach and area around Berry Creek, few miles north of Florence, OR. Optional: On the way back we will stop in Florence for lunch. Please join us.
>> Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Opie Dilldock
2020-07-05
This hike will take us up to the Collier Glacier viewpoint above Opie Dilldock pass. We’ll start at the Matthieu Lakes trailhead near Lave Camp Lake which connects to the PCT then goes to South Matthieu Lake. I plan on making a stop at Yapoah Crater for a quick trip to the top. We’ll have lunch at the Collier Glacier viewpoint then return on the same trail taking the lower trail past North Matthieu Lake.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Scott Mountain
2020-07-08
With wildflower filled meadows, a scenic viewpoint, and inviting swimming lakes, this hike has a lot to offer. This is a loop hike that we’ll be doing in a CCW direction. From Scott Lake we’ll hike on trail 3513 past Hand Lake to trail 4345 which will take us to great views from the summit of Scott Mt. We’ll then follow trail 4339 then trail 3502 to make a stop at beautiful Tenas Lakes where we’ll take a break for lunch and swimming. From Tenas we’ll continue on trail 3502 past Benson Lake to our trailhead. There’s no guarantee on mosquitoes so bring repellent.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2020-07-08
PLACE of DEPARTURE. 52nd and Willamette Trailhead (not the upper paved lot).
Every Wednesday we usually 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. 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. (Please scroll down to read all of this trip description.)Social distancing will be maintained. Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols.
If you meet someone going your way, MASK UP, excuse yourself and pass. If someone is coming the other way, MASK UP and if that person doesn’t get over, step aside and face away. If you are following within 8 feet of another person, you should mask up. You are in their slipstream. People can change their pace and suddenly you’re too close. PLEASE DO THIS.
If you can’t see up the trail far enough to have time to put on your covering, leave it on. Make sure you can quickly put on your face covering. Don’t congregate when you meet someone on the trail or on the summit. Maintain face coverings or stay 6 feet apart.
If you don’t feel well, please don’t come. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2020-07-08, 2020-07-15
PLACE of DEPARTURE. 52nd and Willamette Trailhead (not the upper paved lot).
Every Wednesday we usually 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. 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. (Please scroll down to read all of this trip description.)
Social distancing will be maintained. Everyone is required to CARRY A FACE COVERING and know how to use it properly. More information is available on the website. Look for Covid-19 Protocols.
If you meet someone going your way, MASK UP, excuse yourself and pass. If someone is coming the other way, MASK UP and if that person doesn’t get over, step aside and face away. If you are following within 8 feet of another person, you should mask up. You are in their slipstream. People can change their pace and suddenly you’re too close. PLEASE DO THIS.
If you can’t see up the trail far enough to have time to put on your covering, leave it on. Make sure you can quickly put on your face covering. Don’t congregate when you meet someone on the trail or on the summit. Maintain face coverings or stay 6 feet apart.
If you don’t feel well, please don’t come. If you are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group.

Patterson Mountain
2020-07-09
Great hike through old growth. Passes forest service shelter on the way to the top with a view of the Willamette drainage. Some wild flowers should be out. Possible snow on ground. Possible mosquitoes, so bring repellent. Also, bring lunch an water.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information.

UO Campus Tree Walk
2020-07-09
We’ll meet at the NE corner of Harris and 23rd at 1 PM. (there is time-unlimited parking nearby alongside the Church of Christ, but walk is doable as well within 2 hours.)
If you wish to meet at campus, at 1:15 we can meet on the east side of Knight Library near bike racks, just let me know.
We’ll use as a guide the virtual tree walk Whitey Lueck sent out in early June, looking at some of the most notable trees historically and botanically in some of the older parts of campus.
Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information.

Lookout Creek
2020-07-10
This is a great hike through very old growth forests. We will go as far as possible and then head back to the trail head (see below). Transportation: Please check either the box “need” or “have”. Indicate the number you are comfortable taking in your car or put a zero if you plan on driving without passengers. The trail head can accommodate 8 cars if needed.
This hike is in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest and carries prohibitions against removing materials. This is from the H.J.Andrews website:
Fishing and collection of forest products, such as flowers, moss, mushrooms, bear grass, or fir boughs, are prohibited on the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. Many of these organisms are being studied by researchers and their removal can have serious, negative impacts.
The trail is often steep and has some awkward sections. The total trail length is 3.5 miles but as of 2019 we only go in around two miles and turn around. This is because beyond that point means a dangers creek crossing and then a 3 mile road walk back to the start of the hike at the west trailhead.

Chambers Lake
2020-07-11
It’s been a while since I’ve hiked in this area due to the 2012 Pole Creek burn. As it’s been eight years since the burn I’d like to see how the recovery is progressing. This is an out and back hike that starts and ends at the Pole Creek trailhead. Our destination and lunch spot will be Camp Lake at 6950 feet so snow is a possibility but considering our warm spring I doubt it will be a problem. Please note that the majority of this hike is through the burn area.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information

Three Mile Lake
2020-07-12
A hike that starts 10 miles south of Florence. We start in a forest that opens to a trail out on the dunes and ends at the beach. We walk along the beach for about a mile, return to the dunes, and back into the forest. We get a peek at the south end of Three Mile Lake.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike/ride. Refer to main website page for information.

OCT #2: Newport-Waldport
2020-07-12 00:00 - 2020-07-14 23:59
(The Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) is scenic and diverse and best experienced on foot. Mark is organizing a series of section hikes to explore the OCT. You are welcome to join all the walks or any that strike your fancy. Please note, OCT trips should be considered as exploratory; flexibility is a must. All of the section hikes are intended to be enjoyed with a daypack, and always return to a central location for tent camping, showers, etc. Trips focus on beach walking, utilizing lesser-traveled side roads and trails. Hiking next to Hwy 101 will be avoided as much as possible. To maximize beach time, and minimize highway walking, we will be car shuttling between start and end locations as needed on the trip.
This trip is a 3-day, 19-mile section hike of the OCT between Newport and Waldport. We will be tent camping at the South Beach State Park group camp. The majority of this trip is beach walking. Bridge crossings include pedestrian walkways.
Registration and payment:A) Online registration opens May 9, 2020.B) Within 5 days of signing up, mail a check payable to “Obsidians” for $30 (members) to Mark Hougardy, 418 Heritage Oak Dr, Eugene, OR 97405. This amount covers the campground fees, firewood, parking, and trip fees.C) The payment is non-refundable unless your place is filled by someone else.
Schedule:Day 1: Sunday – At least 3 miles of hiking today. We will depart Eugene and drive to the Newport area. We will start at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse near the Yaquina Bay Bridge, and walk a few minutes down to the Newport waterfront. We will arrive close to lunchtime so bring your lunch or plan on grabbing a bite to eat. If the Maritime Museum is open we’ll stop in to see some of the exhibits (optional). Around 2 pm we’ll make our way back to the Yaquina Bay Bridge, cross over to the South Beach area, then continue on Jetty Road and to South Beach State Park to our group camp. For those who want some flexibility, you are welcome to explore on your own and meet the rest of the group about 4 pm at the Group Camp. The rest of the day is free time.Day 2: Monday – 8 Miles of beach walking today. After making a quick car shuttle run, we will depart camp as a group and walk south on the beach, past the picturesque Beaver Creek at Brian Booth State Park, and continue just beyond to the Seal Rock State Recreation Site. Late that afternoon we will return to camp, enjoy a shower, and have dinner at a restaurant in Newport. The restaurant is optional.
Day 3: Tuesday – Today, we walk 8 miles (or a few miles less depending on the tide). In the morning, we break camp and drive to Seal Rock State Recreation Site to begin the walk. There are two rock outcroppings near Seal Rock which could impede our walk, if the tide is high or incoming we will drive 2.5 miles south at the Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site to start. Our walk on the beach will continue to the community of Bayshore (just north of Waldport) where we will go inland and over to the Alsea Bay Bridge. On the other side, we can take water and restroom breaks at the interpretive center. Depending on the tide we will walk on the narrow beach or a side street to the Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site where we will end the trip. If time and hunger levels allow, we will stop at a local cafe or drive a short distance to Yachats for a mea

Odell Lake
2020-07-14
Load bus at (former) Shopko site at 7:30 a.m.; Depart at 8:00 a.m.
We begin the day by driving the back roads through Springfield, Jasper, Fall Creek and Lowell to the Lowell Covered Bridge for a quick tour at this historic site. Then it is on to Oakridge for a coffee break at Dairy Queen (on your own). Our next stop will be a tour at the Willamette Fish Hatchery that will take us through the life cycle of a salmon. The hatchery grounds also have fish ponds, a quaint museum, a nature trail, and nine holes of miniature golf. We’ll head to Odell Lake Lodge and Resort for lunch on your own. You can eat indoors in the rustic lodge or out on the terrace, both with views of the lake. If you prefer, you may also bring your own sack lunch. After lunch and a walk along the shore of Odell Lake, we drive to Salt Creek Falls and a short hike to Too Much Bear Lake. If time allows, we may also visit the Office Covered Bridge in Westfir and/or Elijah Bristow State Park near Dexter. We’ll arrive back in Eugene around 5 p.m.
A COMPLETED MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM FOR 2020 IS REQUIRED
Cost: Member $50 Non-Member $52 Payment Due: June 23, 2020
Please make checks payable to Obsidians Bus Trips
REGISTRATION & MAIL CHECKS TO: Judy Garwood 541-683-5539
4145 East Amazon Drive, Eugene 97405
Meetup/Departure Location: (former) ShopKo Coburg Rd/Chad Dr,(btwn ShopKo & Taco Bell)

South Cinder Peak
2020-07-14
South Cinder Peak is located at the crest of the Cascades halfway between Mt Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack giving it great views. This hike is listed in Sullivan’s book under “Carl Lake”. Getting to the trailhead involves driving 13 miles of back roads including 7 miles of gravel road. From the trailhead we’ll hike by Cabot, Carl, and Shirley Lakes before climbing a steep cinder cone to the summit for lunch. After lunch we’ll return to our vehicles on the same trail.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Eagles Rest
2020-07-15
Please read the Covid-19 protocols on the Obsidian website prior to the hike. Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike.
We will begin our hike at the Eagle’s Rest Lower trailhead (there are no restrooms), and walk a very shady trail uphill to Eagle’s Rest, a rocky outcrop with sweeping views from Mount June to Spencer Butte. We’ll plan on having lunch at the top before returning the same way we came.
Note to drivers: the last 3.2 miles along Goodman Creek Road off Highway 58 is gravel with plenty of potholes in places. It is navigable in a regular car, but requires careful weaving and slow driving.

Yapoah Crater Loop
2020-07-18
Meet at Santa Clara Plaza north of Division Ave. on south side of the parking lot near Burger King. We will ascend via the PCT past South Mathieu to Yapoah Crater. From the top of the cone there is an excellent view of lava flows and glacial features near North Sister. On the return loop we will visit North Mathieu Lake, formed by a lava dam.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Red Butte
2020-07-18
This hike takes off from the Duffy Lake trailhead off of Big Meadows Road and will involve a 20 foot stream crossing which may necessitate wading so be prepared. The trail continues past Duffy and Mowich Lakes before reaching Red Butte. The climb up the cinder cone is steep and a bit of a scramble but will give us a scenic spot for our lunch.. We’ll return on the same trail.
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

Heceta Lighthouse via China Ck
2020-07-19
We will drive to Washburn Wayside and start the hike along the beach. Continue up the Hobbitt trail and over to the light house with great views of the Pacific. I believe the lighthouse will be closed. It is run by volunteers. On the return trip we will cross the coast Hwy. pickup the China Creek trail back to the cars.

Koosah Falls around Clear Lake
2020-07-20
Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.
This is a great hike to see both waterfalls, Kossah and Sahalie Falls and one of the clearest most pristine lakes in the cascades. Clear Lake is where the McKenzie River gets its start.
Please mark your transportation. If you want to drive with no one in your car then mark “have” and “0”. If you might be comfortable taking a person or two then mark how many besides yourself you are willing to have ride with you. I don’t want to park more than six cars at the small trailhead so would expand the max participants if we have the travel capacity.
