EUGENE, Ore. - A local hiking group is offering guided outings to coastal, mountain and urban wildernesses near Eugene, Ore., during the Olympic Trials.

Most of the outings start at 8:30 a.m. and are free, although participants are encouraged to contribute gas money when carpooling.

The group organizing the outings, the Obsidians, is a 500-member hiking organization that has been around for 80 years. The routes represent some of the group's favorite spots near Eugene.

Below are brief descriptions of the hikes. A link to register for any of the hikes is at the bottom of this page.

Monday, June 23
Washburne/China Creek Loops - Coastal hike with tide pools; 5 miles

Tuesday, June 24
Kentucky Falls - Three waterfalls in a rainforest; 4.4 miles

Wednesday, June 25
Clear Lake - Hike around a mountain lake with eagles and osprey; 5.5 miles

Thursday, June 26 (Two Hikes)
Brice Creek - Hike along creek to waterfalls in forest.  Two options: a 5.5-mile one-way hike involving a car shuttle or a 11-mile out-and-back” trip
Spencer Butte - The forested butte towers over Eugene.  This moderately difficult hike starts at the headwaters of Amazon Creek and follows the Ridgeline Trail; 6 miles

Friday, June 27 (Morning Urban Hikes)
Delta Ponds - Naturalist Rick Ahrens guides hikers through the ponds’ abundant vegetation and waterfowl and other animal life.

Pre’s Rock - At the time of his death, Steve Prefontaine held all the American records from 2,000 to 10,000 meters.  The easy hike to Pre’s Memorial is a pilgrimage for track fans; 3.5 miles

Saturday, June 28 (Morning Urban Hikes)
Mt. Pisgah -  Route climbs from an arboretum along the Willamette River to pinnacle featuring Ken Kesey's  memorial to his son Jeb; 3 miles

Library to Skinner Butte - Tour downtwon Eugene, including the Saturday Market, historic landmarks and a view of Eugene from the top of the city’s northern butte, named for the town's founder, Eugene Skinner; 3-4 miles
 
Sunday, June 29 (Morning Urban Hike)
River Walk/Pre’s Trail - Following Pre's death a path was built in Eugene’s Alton Baker Park; 4 miles

Monday, June 30 (Morning Urban Hike)
Amazon Headwaters to Raptor Center -  Hike up the Amazon Headwaters Trail to the Eugene Raptor Center, where naturalist Rick Ahrens will talk turkey with eagles, hawks, owls, vultures and other birds of the Pacific Northwest; 3 miles

Tuesday, July 1 (Two Hikes)
Washburne Loop/Hobbit Trail/Lighthouse - Similar to the June 23 hike, but a little more difficult with additional climb to Heceta Head Lighthouse (at left); 5.5 miles

Little Belknap - A hike along the Pacific Crest Trail following a lava flow to its source in a cave atop Little Belknap. Great Cascade vistas.  Hike subject to cancellation or change if trail not open yet for summer; 5.2 miles

Thursday, July 3 (Morning Urban Hike)
Pre’s Rock - Repeat of June 27 hike

Friday, July 4
Butte to Butte Race; no hikes scheduled

Saturday, July 5 (Morning Urban Hike)
Island Park to Autzen Bridge - Take rapid transit to Springfield and walk back via Island Park, Alton Baker Park, Willamette River Trail and along part of Pre’s Trail; 5 miles

Sunday, July 6 (Morning Urban Hike)
“Animal House” - See where the film was made
 
Monday, July 7
Washburne/China Creek Loops - Repeat of June 23 hike

Tuesday, July 8
Rigdon Meadows/Indigo & Chuckle Springs - The old Oregon Central Military Wagon Road along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Some creek crossings; 6.3 miles

Wednesday, July 9
Gwynn Creek, Cape Perpetua - Magnificent vistas overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Includes a stop at the visitor center and short side trips to the “blow hole” and overlook where World War II spotters watched for Japanese subs; 7 miles

Thursday, July 10
Salt Creek Falls - Second highest waterfall in Oregon; 3.4 miles

Friday, July 11
Lowder Mountain - Mountain lakes and views; 6 miles

Click here to register