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Spencers Butte Journals From 2002-2005 The second time we hiked it was a few weeks later, in December. It was finals week, and we both had a final at 8:00 AM. So we left with plenty of time to get to the top and back. One thing we didn't consider was the later sunrise and windy conditions at the top. When we got to the top it was still dark. Eugene and Springfield were still lit up with street lights. And it was raining and windy and cold. At the summit I almost chose not to stand up, thinking the wind would knock me off the rock. Rain stung our faces. It was best to start down quickly. In the dark it was more difficult to find the trail. So many people hike up Spencers that there are side trails everywhere. On the way up it doesn't matter because as long as you are headed uphill you will eventually reach the summit. But there are three maintained trails down the mountain, each on different sides, and several more unmaintained paths, waterways, squirrel trails... We found what we thought was the main path down, which turned into what we knew was a side trail but thought it would meet the main trail, which turned into ferns and downed trees and forest with no sign of human footprints. Down we continued, and then to the right. We knew how to get back the way we came, but that wouldn't help us find the trail down. So we prayed and continued. The rain lessened and the sun came up behind the heavy clouds. I noticed a grove of trees uphill that looked familiar. Why they looked familiar, I don't know. But I had paid special attention to the woods there the first time we walked through them, not because I'm normally that observant, but because I liked them. Mostly I think they looked familiar because we had prayed. It was a Spiritual Formation final we would be late to. After 45 minutes of wandering and wading through rain-soaked ferns, as we were beginning to wonder if we'd make our 8:00 final that morning, we began hiking straight uphill and found the trail. Once we had turned right we had been paralleling the trail just 50 yards downhill from it so we couldn't see it. Not too far off after all. Amy and I got back to campus just 10 minutes before 8:00. Muddy and tired we walked straight into the classroom, plopped down, and told our story to those around us who would listen. Since then I've been to the summit countless times with many friends, and have hiked most of the side trails. One of my classmates proposed to his girlfriend at the summit one morning. He had a friend bring up rose petals, a blanket, and a guitar. So when the couple reached the top they watched the sunrise as he played her a song. I hear it was very romantic. Spring 2003 One memorable time was on a warm afternoon in May, one of the first sunny Saturdays of the year. The summit was packed with people waiting to see the sunset. A group of about 8 classmates and I made our way to the top and found a nice spot on the southwestern slope, away from the biggest crowds. Along with us were several non-hiking types, including one girl who grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and had never heard of hiking before. One of my traditions was picking up broken glass to deposit in the trash once back in town, and on this trip I found a bunch. We talked and laughed and ate snacks out of a few backpacks. The sunset was beautiful and we waited around to hike out in the dark, after most everyone else had gone. January 2005 This particular school year I began an unofficial hiking group that met early on Saturday mornings to head out into the woods, rain or shine. I invited everyone I knew, including this really handsome guy from Hawaii who seemed to enjoy coming along and spending time with me. On this particular Saturday it was raining in town, but we still had enough people along to take 2 cars. My friend Rebecca drove her car, and I drove my car (named Marge). The handsome Hawaiian rode with me and our friend Joe. Several others rode with Rebecca, including Megan, and Joey (now in Hawaii, actually). As we left town the rain turned into slush, and the slush turned into snow. Willamette Street gains a decent bit of elevation as it makes its way south out of town, and about 1/2 mile shy of the trailhead my car stopped gaining any of it. The more I laid on the gas the slower we climbed. Poor old college car. Marge just couldn't make it. I had to back down the hill in the snow. A funny thing happened when I tried to back down - Marge began slipping toward the guardrail. The more I backed down, the more we slid. The Hawaiian heard me swear for the first time. "Do you want me to try?" No way! I've driven in snow before! This guy's from Hawaii, I'm not gonna let him show me up! "Sure, you can try." Our friend Joe had long since jumped ship to throw snowballs at Rebecca's car, so Reece and I switched places and he backed Marge safely down the hill. Rebecca's car had snowtires, so she was able to take us all to the trailhead in stages. The hike was cold and the trail wet, but otherwise fine to walk on - until we climbed out of the woods to the rocky area at the top. Everyone slipped at least once on the rocks and slush. Many slipped more than that. We laughed, took pictures, and threw snowballs. The "Hawaiian" is actually a California native, who spent 6 years in Hawaii and then moved to Eugene for school. A month later we hiked Sweet Creek with the same group of friends and held hands for the first time. A year after that we were married. And no, he didn't propose at Spencers. Pictures | Summaries | More Journals |