N7LF's blog

The summit of Kaser Ridge is a drive-up radio site located on private property. Public access is restricted due to no trespassing signs and multiple gates. There is a radio site adjacent to Kaser Ridge. Service personnel have an easement to travel to the summit. I maintain equipment at this radio site. Access to Kaser Ridge is via Fifteenmile Road. The first gate has the risk of cattle getting loose on the county road (you don't want a rodeo on your hands). The extremely steep 4x4 drive up and down is not for the faint of heart. It's hazardous during mud and snow conditions.

The summit of Maryhill Benchmark (aka Juniper Point by the locals) is a drive-up radio site located on private property. Public drive-up access is restricted due to multiple private properties, the Tuolumme Wind Project Authority Project and a locked gate. The facility has 24/7 onsite security and patrols. There is a Radio site on Maryhill Benchmark and service personnel have an easement to travel to the summit. I maintain equipment at this radio site.

The summit of Biddle Butte (aka Mount Zion) is a drive-up radio site located on Corps of Engineers property. Public drive-up access is restricted due to private property and posted no trespassing signs. The private Mount Zion access road goes through the front yard of a residence with posted no trespassing signs at both ends of their property. Partway to the summit above the nearby residence is a locked gate. Radio site service personnel have an easement to travel to Biddle Butte.

The recent Grayback Mountain WA pnwPOTA Blogs by K7ATN (11/03/2021) and KJ7EHA (04/12/2021) highlight the recent difficulties of gaining public access to the summit. In the past, Western Pacific Timber LLC (WPT), the State of Washington and the few private property owners didn’t restrict entry to walk-in visitors, horseback riders or hunters – just unauthorized motorized vehicles. Ironically the inviting “Feel Free to Hunt” come on in sign is still near the main gate. However, I noticed a pair of new No Trespassing signs approximately 1,500 feet from the main gate.

Aschoff Buttes is located within the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public by federal law. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter. The BRWMU is patrolled by Portland Water Bureau security personnel. Electronic surveillance is used to keep an eye on things.

The City of Portland offers guided tours June through October. Unfortunately, none of the tours include any of the SOTA summits.

Hickman Butte is located within the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public by federal law. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter. The BRWMU is patrolled by Portland Water Bureau security personnel. Electronic surveillance is used to keep an eye on things.

The City of Portland offers guided tours June through October. Unfortunately, none of the tours include any of the SOTA summits.

Lookout Point is located on the western edge of the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter any road access location.

Hiyu Mountain is located within the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public by federal law. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter. The BRWMU is patrolled by Portland Water Bureau security personnel. Electronic surveillance is used to keep an eye on things.