Easy Hike—30th & Spring to Hendricks—Thursday, April 18, 2024
Leader: Lisa Van Liefde

Meet at the Ribbon Trail trailhead: 30th and Spring Street. Please arrive by 5:55pm for a 6:00pm departure. This is an easy hike. The pace will match the group's overall ability. We'll hike into Hendricks Park and walk through the flower garden before returning. If you have any questions, please call or email me.

Moderate Hike—Heceta Head—Saturday, April 20, 2024
Leader: Kathie Carpenter

We'll start at Washburne State Park and cross 101 to pick up the Valley Trail along China Creek. The bridge probably isn't repaired yet, but we can check on its progress before we cross back over 101 and up through the forest on the Oregon Coast Trail to the Heceta Head Lighthouse for lunch. After lunch we'll take the Hobbit trail down to the beach and along the shore back to our cars. If the bridge across China Creek is open the hike will be 8 miles, but since it probably isn't, it will be 6 miles. Be prepared for mud, but the weather should be good. Drive is suitable for all vehicle types, and there are rest rooms at the trail head and at the lighthouse.

Moderate Hike—Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise—Monday, April 22, 2024
Leader: Janet Jacobsen

Celebrate Earth Day. Moonrise is 7:10 pm and sunset is 8:05pm . The full moon is the next day. Watch for update if Trails 7 and 4 are open. If closed, we will need to take the main trail to the top and for the descent. Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Please arrive before the departure time to check in. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions or if you have never hiked Mt. Pisgah. If you don’t have a Lane County parking pass, allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead.

Moderate Hike—Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte—Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Leader:

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.

Easy Hike—Kelly Butte—Thursday, April 25, 2024
Leader: Vern Marsonette

Meet at Day Island Park, Springfield. Begin at Day Island Park to D st, to Summit st. to Kelly Butte Summit , hike north to Centennial Blvd. to Rainbow st south to River trail toward Eugene. Cross River at bike path heading east on Franklin Blvd. returning to Day Island Park. Some may stop for lunch at Roaring Rapids Pizza on the river. Lunch special pizza, salad bar and drink $9.95.

Moderate Hike—Silver Falls/ Abiqua Falls—Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Leader: Steven Johnson

This is a two part trip so please read the entire description. We'll meet up at the Springfield Fred Meyer on Q St, just north of the fuel station in time to depart at 7am. We'll then drive to our trailhead at Silver Falls South Falls day use area and park at the north lot that's closest to South Falls. Note that there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. We'll then hike in a clockwise direction with side trips to Winter Falls and Upper North Falls where we'll stop for a lunch break. From here we'll complete the loop back to our vehicles to finish the first part of our trip. For those of you who do not intend to hike to Abiqua Falls you'll drive home from here. It's up to you to get yourself into a vehicle that's going where you want to go from here. From Silver Falls we'll drive to the trailhead for Abiqua Falls which is about 10 miles past the town of Scotts Mills. Driving to the trailhead is only possible in dry weather so this part of the trip may be cancelled if the weather is wet. The hike to Abiqua Falls only takes about 15 minutes as it's a steep scramble however there are ropes placed to help negotiate the hillside. Note that adding Abiqua Falls will increase driving distance to 205 miles or $22.55. After this long day we'll be stopping for dinner before driving home.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Leader: Tommy Young

We will start on time at 7:00 am. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. 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 2 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.

Moderate Hike—Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte—Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Leader: Mike Smith

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.

Moderate Hike—Wild Iris Ridge—Thursday, May 2, 2024
Leader: Lisa Van Liefde

Meet at the Wild Iris Ridge Park trailhead on the corner of Bailey Hill Road and S. Bertleson. Please arrive by 5:55pm for a 6pm departure. Parking can be tight, carpool if you're able - otherwise there is street parking on Bailey Hill near the residential area if the lot is full. This is a moderate conditioning hike, requiring ability to keep a steady pace. The goal is to take the extra loop for a total of 4.4 miles. Suggest long pants as there could be brush covering some of the upper loop trail.

Easy Hike—Finley Wildlife Refuge—Sunday, May 5, 2024
Leader: Jane Hackett

The back trails at Finley are open this time of year so we may do a shuttle and see areas that are new. Either way plan on wet trails, and tall grass. This is primarily a hike but we stop at one blind to check out the birds. For those interested in the headquarters gift shop they should be open.

Moderate Hike—Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte—Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Leader: Denise Rubenstein

We will start on time at 7:00 am. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. 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 2 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.

Moderate Hike—Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte—Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Leader: Janet Jacobsen

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.

Moderate Hike—St. Vinnies Greatest Hits —Thursday, May 9, 2024
Leader: Kathie Carpenter

This will be a full day of touring the great community projects provided by St. Vincent de Paul, and will include a lot of walking and a short bus ride. It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn firsthand about all the services St. Vinnie's provides our community, and to meet some of the staff and volunteers who are doing this good work for all of us. Throughout the day, you'll find yourself saying, over and over again, "Wait, what?! St. Vinnie's does THAT too?" We'll gather at First Place Family Center for introductions and a tour, then walk downtown, passing by, but not stopping at, several affordable, energy-efficient housing sites. From downtown we'll take LTD bus #41 to the Lamb Building affordable housing site for a quick presentation, and walk to a Safe Sleep site for a tour. After a late picnic lunch at MLK Jr. Park we'll tour the Cleveland St. warehouse and recycling center. We'll finish the day with optional retail therapy at St. Vinnie's at 888 Garfield and/or 1870 W. 11th. You can either walk back to First Place Family Center (4.7 miles) or take the bus back (~ 45 min). Total mileage will be 11.1 miles if you walk back, and 6.4 miles if you take the bus back. Note: You could also arrange a car shuttle for the return to First Place Family Center, by leaving a car at our last destination.