Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2022-03-17
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset 7:21 and moonrise is 6:54. Current plan is take Trails 7,3, and 1 to the top in hope to see the moonrise around 7:00. Faster hikers might want to 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.
The full moon is the next day. If weather doesn’t cooperate with viewing a celestial event, we won’t wait….

Pine Bench Bkpk
2022-03-18 00:00 - 2022-03-20 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is an out-n-back hike on the Bradley Trail to Pine Bench in the North Umpqua Boulder Creek Wilderness. Depart Eugene Friday afternoon. 2.5 hour drive to the Bradley Trailhead east of Steamboat off OR138. Hike the Bradley Trail approx. 5 miles along an early homesteader route passing soda springs and climbing to Pine Bench, a remnant area of grass meadows and old growth Ponderosas. Camp near Boulder Creek junction on Pine Bench. Sat day hike to Pine Bench overlook, manzanita springs, and possible exploration into the Boulder Creek canyon. Sunday return hike to Bradley TH.

Snowshoe to Maxwell Snow Park
2022-03-19, 2022-03-26
This is about a 6 mile route (maybe more) to Mt View Shelter via the Mt. View Loop trail. The elevation gain is 600 feet however the total accumulated gain is about 1000 feet. The weather is unpredictable this time of year, rain more likely than snow, so will reserve the right to cancel if it doesn’t look good. Please arrange your ride if you need one, before departure. There are several who enjoy stopping at Takoda’s afterwards, please discuss with your car and arrange accordingly beforehand.

Willamette River path
2022-03-19
Meet at River Road Annex parking lot, 1055 River Rd, Eugene, OR 97404
We’ll ride Willamette River path to Alton Baker park and further east to a bakery in Springfield.
After a snack, we’ll ride back on the other side of river.

Mt Pisgah Mid-Day Hike
2022-03-20
MEET at Mt Pisgah – North Parking lot area. We’ll take trail #7 – 4 – 1 to summit, but return will be via trail #2 to 4/6 – 4 – 7.
You need a parking pass, please allow extra time to go to the kiosk to purchase, prior to 12:00 pm departure time.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2022-03-22, 2022-03-29, 2022-04-05
NOTE: Flexible start time between 6:45 and 7.
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
2022-03-23, 2022-03-30
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:45 to 9:00.
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 Hood
2022-03-23, 2022-04-05
This time of year is hard to plan for, but we are planning for Wednesday 3/23. We’ll be watching weather and avvy conditions in the week leading up to it and hopefully make a determination the Friday before.
This will be a South Side route, probably the Old Chute.
Our departure time will also be condition dependent, but please plan to leave Eugene about midnight and be climbing by 4am. If we are expecting warmer weather, we will go for an earlier start. The meeting place depends on how many people sign up.
We’ll plan for running and/or fixed rope travel. If you are uncertain about rope travel or climbing in the cold (assuming it will be cold), feel free to reach out to me to talk more. The number of less experienced people we can bring is dependent on how many experienced people we have in the group.

Mt Pisgah Winter Ferns
2022-03-24
Five varieties of native ferns can be found this time of year in the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. Our first stops will be in the Patricia Baker Wildflower Garden to examine four varieties of ferns. We will hunt for the fifth fern as we explore the lush fern growth in the Arboretum and at the old quarry, and we will also see early spring wildflowers. Finally, we’ll stroll back along Arboretum trails to our cars. This hike will proceed at a slower pace with plenty of stops for ferns and wildflowers. Total distance will be about 2.5 miles, with about 200 ft. of elevation gain/loss. Allow at least 2 1/2 hours for the hike. Meet by the restrooms near the West (Main) Trailhead. Parking requires a Lane County Parks Permit sticker, or allow time when you arrive to purchase a day pass from the machine at the top of the lot. Bring water, a snack, and clothing appropriate to the weather. Wear shoes that can handle a little mud. Optional: A small magnifying glass or hand lens is useful for looking at fern leaflets, and a small pair of binoculars is useful for looking at plants growing off-trail.

Gwynn Creek
2022-03-25
Some of the most spectacular old-growth Sitka spruce forests on the Coast drape the wild canyons south of Cape Perpetua. A 5.8 mile loop from the visitor center follows the crest of Cooks Ridge and traverses back through Gwynn Creek’s secluded valley. This hike will be at a moderate pace, so we can stop and smell the flowers. It will include a a very leisurely lunch (45 minutes or so). We’ll get back when we get back. Bring what you need such as food, water and rain protection.
For those willing to drive, I suggest a car pool tip of $20 to cover the present cost of gas. Note: Please mark your Transportation. If you don’t I am going to call you. Thanks, Paul

Gwynn Creek Loop
2022-03-25
How about a coast hike that doesn’t go to the beach? Treat yourself to a beautiful loop hike through coastal forests. And you will see the ocean because part of the loop is above the highway on the Oregon Coast Trail with several viewpoints. The main part of the hike is through lush forest of Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. It could be damp but that’s why we have this vibrant, green forest.

North Bank Habit Area
2022-03-25
The North Bank Habitat is near Roseburg, exit 135, Wilbur, then on North Bank Rd to the West Entrance. The drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The up and down loop hike has rolling—some steep & challenging hills— up to and along the ridgeline with oak savannas, meadows, and views of the Umpqua River. One can easily avoid the poison oak at this time of year. I expect the few muddy sections to be dry. We should start hiking around 9:30 and complete the hike around 2:30. It will be a steady moderate pace with a snack break and a late lunch. The weather forecast looks good. Pace will be almost moderate as we enjoy the views and possibly some early signs of spring for the last day of spring break.

Neighborhood Connector Tread Work
2022-03-26
We will be laying some gravel, spreading some mulch and reshaping some drainage along the neighborhood connector trail near the Lodge.
Meet at the end of Spring Boulevard and 30th Avenue

"Weekend Warrior" Hike
2022-03-27
Weekend-warrior definition · One who enthusiastically engages in a physical, sometimes strenuous, activity only on weekends outside of regular employment.
Join us for nearby hikes short enough to get some good exercise yet that don’t take up the whole day. Designed especially for, but not limited to, those who work weekdays, enjoy the outdoors, good conversation and might want the option of coffee/tea after the hike is over.
This hike is a loop from the Martin Street trailhead in South Eugene at the Amazon Creek headwaters to the top of Mt. Baldy for spectacular views. We’ll go up a steep part under the power lines, then through the woods as we ascend towards Dillard Road, crossing the street to loop around the Baldy Summit, and descend down the trail under the power lines.
For those with Alltrails.com accounts (free to use limited version) – here is a map, however we’ll reverse the direction up Baldy to do the steep way down, vs up.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-1-2022-12-57-am-6df1825?u=i
Map to trailhead, parking on Martin St. at the S. end of W. Amazon.
https://goo.gl/maps/Uc9EzBT9dd9vx6Lg7
Expect brief warm up and cool down stretches to protect those weekend muscles.
Questions? Contact G_iredale@yahoo.com or 541 505-0055.

East Wild Iris Ridge Loop
2022-03-29
We will meet at the shopping center parking lot across from Churchill HS — corners of Bailey Hill and
Westleigh — 2101 Bailey Hill Rd, Eugene, OR 97405.
We will caravan from there. Scroll to bottom for more information.
We will be exploring the east side of the Wild Iris Ridge Park, starting at the Summit Trailhead for an easy 2.5 mile walk with a gradual 300 feet elevation change. We start down and come back up but will be walking at a leisurely pace.
This east loop is not as steep as the conditioning climb up from Bailey Hill Road. There may be some muddy parts of the trail at the bottom of the less visited east valley.
This will be an easy-paced walk to check out oak savannah, see the madrone trees and Valley Pines and several nice views of the west side of Spencer’s Butte.
Parking will _not_ be at the most used Bailey Hill trailhead nor the Bailey Hill View Drive trailhead, but at the summit, which can be difficult for some to find.
So at 3pm we will caravan from the NW corner of shopping center parking lot across from Churchill HS —
corners of Bailey Hill and Westleigh — 2101 Bailey Hill Rd, Eugene, OR 97405

Eugene Book Loop Walk
2022-04-01
Visit 3 of Eugene’s locally-owned book stores on this 5-mile loop walk. At each bookstore, we will browse for about half an hour. Bring your sun hat, water, and a small daypack to carry any water/books that you buy. Please allow for flexibility in the schedule. We will start at 1 pm and should be finished by 5 pm. Note: If Black Sun Books is open, we will make a quick stop.
Times are approximate.
1:00 – Depart Amazon Community Center parking lot, walk 2 miles on the walking path to Pearl St.
1:45 – Arrive J.Michael Books (160 E Broadway)
2:15 – Depart J. Michaels, walk .5 miles to Smith Family (bathroom stop at Graduate Hotel as needed)
2:30 – Arrive Smith Family Books
3:15 – Depart Smith Family, walk 1.6 miles to Tsunami Books (bathroom stop at downtown bus station as needed)
4:00 – Arrive Tsunami Books
4:30 – Depart Tsunami; walk .5 miles to Amazon Parking Lot
5:00 – End

North Bank Habit Area
2022-04-02
The North Bank Habitat is near Roseburg, exit 135, Wilbur, then on North Bank Rd to the West Entrance. The drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The up and down loop hike on old ranch roads has rolling—with at least seven steep & challenging hills— up to and along the ridgeline with oak savannas, meadows, and views of the Umpqua River. One can easily avoid the poison oak at this time of year. I expect the few muddy sections to be dry. We should start hiking around 9:30 and complete the hike around 2:30. It will be a steady moderate pace with a snack break at the usual picnic table and a late lunch. The weather forecast looks good. Pace will be almost moderate as we enjoy the views and the spring flowers—there were so many when I hiked the trail last week. Hike is limited to the !2 of us departing from Eugene plus the member who lives in Roseburg.

Brice Creek
2022-04-03
the hike will begin at Cedar creek campground, from there we will follow the creek through a “typical mossy old growth forest of Douglas Fir, red cedar” carpeted with sworn fern, oxalis, twinflower and more. A moderate and very pleasant hike.

Mt. Pisgah Winter Ferns
2022-04-04
Meet by the restrooms at the West (Main) Trailhead. Day use or Lane County Parks parking permit needed
Five varieties of native ferns can be found this time of year in the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. Our first stops will be in the Patricia Baker Wildflower Garden to examine four varieties of ferns. We will hunt for the fifth fern as we explore the lush fern growth in the Arboretum and at the old quarry, and we will also see early spring wildflowers. Finally, we’ll stroll back along Arboretum trails to our cars. This hike will proceed at a slower pace with plenty of stops for ferns and wildflowers. Total distance will be about 2.5 miles, with about 200 ft. of elevation gain/loss. Allow at least 2 1/2 hours for the hike. Meet by the restrooms near the West (Main) Trailhead. Parking requires a Lane County Parks Permit sticker, or allow time when you arrive to purchase a day pass from the machine at the top of the lot. Bring water, a snack, and clothing appropriate to the weather. Wear shoes that can handle a little mud. Optional: A small magnifying glass or hand lens is useful for looking at fern leaflets, and a small pair of binoculars is useful for looking at plants growing off-trail.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2022-04-06
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30 ***NOTE TIME CHANGE****
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.
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.

Spring & 30th to Hendricks Park
2022-04-06
Mid-week, after work in-town hikes:
4/6/22 30th and Spring Street to Hendricks Park: Easy
Please note these after work hikes will be listed as ether “easy” or “conditioning”. Conditioning is walking at a faster pace and / or more elevation than easy hikes. Most hikes are 1.5 hours long. Assess your ability before signing up and if you haven’t hiked with Obsidians before, please give me a call if you have any questions.
We depart promptly at 5:30, arrive at least 5 minutes prior. Meetup/Departure Location: 30th and Spring Street Trailhead

Rooster Rock
2022-04-08
This is a steep hike in the Menagerie Wilderness to Rooster Rock but to also explore/scout the short undeveloped trails to the rock formations of the Hen and Egg. Meet at 9:00 at Foster Dam Viewpoint (also called Shea Viewpoint). It is on north side of highway across from the Point Restaurant, 6305 Highway 20. There can be optional carpooling from there to Trout Creek Trailhead where there is limited parking. Janet Jacobsen will facilitate carpooling from Springfield at 8:00 from Weyerhaeuser-McKenzie Natural Area at 42nd St. and 3809 Marcola Road. See the April 2021 Bulletin for information about The Hen.

Leader Free Safety ReSupply plus
2022-04-09
Anyone that has led or assisted on an Obsidian outing during 2021 and 2022 is invited to the first aid supply give away. This is your opportunity to replace old items or add new items to your first aid kits that you might not have. In addition there will probably be enough items that other trip participants can pick up some first aid items. Also, Concessions will be selling SAM Splints and sit-up-on pads. Come anytime between 3 and 5 pm
There will be information about trips to the Eugene to Crest trail. Last year the fires ended our efforts but we are going to try to have trips that will cover the entire distance.
Summer Camp booklets will be available.

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2022-04-09
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.
Dorothy’s cell number is 458-221-0262 if you need to contact her after 8:45 am.
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, turn left onto Central then immediately look for the Obsidians Inc. sign and driveway on your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions. 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

Mt Pisgah (long)
2022-04-10
Park at the Main Parking lot but MEET by the BATHROOMS across from the Pavilion. From there we will take Trail 5 to Trail 56 and then the long uphill Trail 6 to the summit (3.5 miles). Return down on Trail 2 to Trail 4 then make our way back up to the north trailhead and along the river back to our cars. We can adjust the route if weather does not cooperate. Optional — It is a loop so if you want to shorten the hike, you can head back from the summit to the parking lot on the main trail.
