The Obsidians

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2021-12-07, 2021-12-14, 2021-12-21, 2021-12-28
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
2021-12-08
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:45-9:00.
Every Wednesday 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. 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.) 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 are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group. 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.

Green Island Birdwalk
2021-12-11
CANCELLED due to dangerous weather conditions!!!
Meeting place: Papa’s Pizza, 1577 Coburg Rd.
Green Island, the location of this birdwalk, sponsored by the Conservation/Science & Education Committee, is open to the public periodically by the McKenzie River Trust. It is a former agricultural site, now transforming into a diverse riparian woodland habitat. On our March 2021, visit we took the north loop and saw many swallows taking advantage of Dennis Arendt’s painted boxes, and around a couple of dozen bird species. Randy Sinnott, local birder, will lead the “listening & looking.”
In case of very windy/rainy weather, trip will be re-scheduled, participants will be notified in advance.

Salmon Creek Trail South
2021-12-11
This moderate, out-and-back hike is close to the Kwis fire which is still not completely contained. Oakridge locals assure me that the trail is open, although there are some downed trees across the trail and there may be smoke. It will be muddy and slippery in places, but the forest and creek will be beautiful. We can have lunch at the Oakridge fish hatchery, which will be our turnaround point.
There is a very brief stretch of gravel road, but the drive and parking are suitable for all vehicle types.

Thurston Hills Vista Loop
2021-12-12
Meet at: North Trail Head parking lot off Main Street in East Springfield. You will see the entrance on the right just past Springfield Memorial Cemetery. There is a brand 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. 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 trailhead. Then we can shuttle the group back.

UO Sustainability Walk
2021-12-14
This is the second of three tours the University of Oregon has designed to showcase established sustainability practices within buildings and infrastructure, academic programs, faculty research, and student life. This 90-minute walk is more of a saunter and features 10-12 stops when UO Office of Sustainability Director, Steve Mital will review and discuss specific practices in various campus locations.
It is not necessary to participate in all three tours or to go on tours in order. Campus will be on winter break so we will be avoiding crowds.
This walk is sponsored by the Conservation, Science and Education Committee.
Meetup/Departure Location: NW Corner of 13th and Agate – in front of Oregon Hall

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-12-15, 2021-12-29, 2022-01-05
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:45 to 9:00.
Every Wednesday 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. 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.) 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 are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group. 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.

South Willamette Trail
2021-12-15
We will park at the Hardesty Mountain Trailhead along highway 58 near milepost 20. We will hike up the main trail, then left on the South Willamette trail, with a couple creek crossings and a bit of elevation changes. One creek crossing will involve rocks and a log to cross. The Eula Ridge trailhead will be our turnaround spot. Lovely timber and a variety of understory will be part of this journey. Trekking poles will be helpful for stream crossings on rocks or logs, depending on the water flow.

Amanda Trail
2021-12-16
This hike is dedicated to Amanda, a Coos woman who was forcibly marched to a reservation far from her homeland on Oregon’s Trail of Tears.
The full trail, from the south side of Yachats to the Cape Perpetua Whispering Trail Rock Shelter, is 7.6 miles out and back. We’ll be starting our journey with the Ya’Xaik Trail to the north of Yachats, adding an additional 1.1 miles. This hike may turn out to be shorter however, because of intermittent closures of the trail from the Amanda statue leading to Cape Perpetua. We’ll find out. It will be a day of history, flora and fungi.
Participants and others who are interested will be invited to participate in a readers’ theater rendition of ‘Amanda Transcending’, a play by Connie Bennett that explores the sad story of the Coos people’s forced exile from their homeland.
Here’s a link to the story of the Amanda Trail: https://www.yachatsoregon.org/DocumentCenter/View/71/Amanda-Trail-Story-PDF

Not All Who Wander Are Lost
2021-12-17
This wander will take us up and down hills, through a hidden park then through the Wayne Morse woods. We will wonder at the gnome village on our way up to the reservoir on College Hill. We will wander back via neighborhood connector paths and wonder at the birds along the newly refurbished chip trail next to the Amazon Canal. Bonus points for those who know what the title of this hike is in reference to.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2021-12-18
Moonrise is 4:11 pm and sunset is 4:35. This will be the long hike on Trail 4 and then going up Trail 2. Look for us by my car a row or two or three down from the fee box. We can adjust the mileage depending on the weather. 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. Obsidian COVID protocols will be followed.

Midnight Lake
2021-12-18
This is a good first-of-the-season trip for intermediate skiers (it’s really not appropriate for beginners). We’ll plan on heading up to Midnight Lake via the PCT, then following the trail through the woods over to the road past Bechtel Shelter, for a nice glide back to Pengra Pass and then the parking lot. Lunch will be at either Midnight Lake or at Bechtel Shelter. Depending on conditions, it could turn into an out-and-back instead of a loop (for instance, if it’s icy under the trees). Trip will be cancelled or re-scheduled if snow conditions are inadequate.

North Bank Restoration Project
2021-12-18
This is our second restoration and stewardship project at the North Bank.
This time we will plant about 30-40 Oregon grape, nine-bark, Douglas spire, and thimble-berry, and then continue with ivy removal from trees. Some of volunteers would take on picking up some of the “micro” garbage that was left after the major cleanups. All the tools and supplies will be provided on the site on the day of the event. We’ll work 9- Noon.
Please park at North Bank parking lot, the far north end of the Summit building side (near McMenamins North Bank)
➽ Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike. Refer to main website page for information.

East Side Pisgah
2021-12-19
hike begins at East Trail head, Highway 58 to Pleasant Hill, turn LEFT at top of hill (76 gas station on corner) Ridgeway Road. Approximate 1 mile drive to parking lot on left (Lane County Park pass required) This is an easy walk, with lovely meadows We will reach the Pavilion and bathrooms at midpoint. There is one short, shallow stream crossing where you might be comfortable with poles. And be prepared for muddy areas.

Mt Pisgah Winter Solstice
2021-12-21
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 4:37. Current plan is take Trails 7,3, and 1 to the top. We will join a crowd of solstice hikers looking for the sun rays to light up the Mt. Pisgah Sighting Pedestal. We won’t wait around for moonrise at 6:50 pm. 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. To buy an annual pass and support the trails, if you have time check out the websites for Friends of the Buford Park or Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. Obsidian COVID protocols will be followed.

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2021-12-22
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30.
Every Wednesday 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. 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.) 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 are not willing to follow the guidelines, please do not join the group. 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.

Holiday Pisgah Bench Hike
2021-12-24
We will somewhat quietly meander on Arboretum Trails to contemplate the quotes on the benches, the sounds of rushing water, and those we miss at the holiday season. Meet by the Bathrooms across from the Pavilion. Optional: Hiking to the summit.

Wild Iris Ridge
2021-12-25
A December 25th chance to stretch your legs; greet the day with hiking friends, old and new; and make room for holiday fare.
Hike will go, whether Santa Claus came down your chimney or not. (Rain or shine)
Meetup/Departure Location: Parking lot at intersection of Bailey Hill & Bertelsen Rds

Spencer Butte Litter Pick-up
2021-12-30
The litter pick up hike is canceled. We will send an email to all of you.

New Year's Day -BALDY- long
2022-01-01
I changed the departure time since we will not be going to the Summit. I have hiked to Meadow Junction twice and agree with Mike Smith’s explanation in his trip description why we should change to Mt. Baldy. If you want a longer hike, there are some options.
Registered guests are welcome. If you haven’t hiked the Butte from Martin Street, email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net

New Year's Day BALDY- med
2022-01-01
We are leaving from the 52nd St. (dirt) parking lot to Mt. Baldy and then return.
I CHANGED THE HIKE AFTER HAVING BEEN TO THE TOP OF SPENCER BUTTE THURSDAY MORNING. ABOVE 1600 FEET (ABOUT HALF WAY UP THE TIE TRAIL) THE TRAIL IS ICIER AND HAS TWO NARROW PASSAGES THROUGH BRANCHES THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED. THE STEPS ARE NOT SAFE FOR A GROUP, WITH 2-3 INCHES OF ICE AND SNOW PRESENT. COMING DOWN, I WAS EITHER SIDEWAYS ON A STEP, WITH TWO FEET TO EACH STEP, OR I ACTUALLY WENT AROUND THE STEPS ON THE SIDE. COMING DOWN THE LAST SET OF 12 STEPS WAS UNSAFE. MAYBE THE WEATHER WILL CLEAR, BUT I DON’T SEE SIGNIFICANT MELTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE TOP WILL STILL BE THERE, JUST NOT FOR THIS HIKE ON NEW YEARS’ DAY.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO CHANGE YOUR MIND. YOU MAY (1) CANCEL, (2) DO PART OF THE HIKE, OR (3) DO THE WHOLE HIKE, WHICH IS LONGER WITH LESS VERTICAL GAIN.
There are two blowdowns on the Ridgline just east of the tie trail. They are passable. Expect some snow and ice, but not a great deal, except maybe on the shady spots of Baldy.

New Year's Day BALDY - short
2022-01-01
Meet at the Fox Hollow Trailhead on Fox Hollow Road. The hike has been changed because of unsafe conditions due to snow and ice on Spencer Butte summit. We will hike the Ridgeline Trail from the Fox Hollow trailhead to Mount Baldy. We will have a slowish pace and meet up with the hikers on the two other New Year’s Day hikes and share easy-to-eat snacks at Mount Baldy.
Be sure to read the online COVID guide lines.

Salt Creek Falls
2022-01-02
We leave Eugene and drive up Hwy 58 to Salt Creek Snow park. This is a loop that travels along Salt Creek Canyon with many view points. The trail turns and follows up up Berry Creek Canyon leading to a large waterfall before turning back toward the cars.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2022-01-04
Update as of January 3: Angie and I changed the time to 7:15 and the distance may depend on the severity of rain.
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.

Butte Debris Raking
2022-01-07
There are lot of branches on the main trail so we will brush/rake probably to the steps — depends on trail conditions. If we have enough people, we can opt send a few down the Tie Trail to brush. Let Pat know if you don’t have a rake — we will bring an extra one.
Meet at the main Spencer Butte trailhead parking lot, the paved lot on Willamette.
