Summary - Rocky Top, on the edge of the Beachie Creek Lionshead burn, is a short hike, about .75mi and 700ft, from the trailhead. The drive up from HW22 is 8.5 miles, much of it narrow, exposed and rough but doable with 2WD. You may want to stop at the trailhead for the Arch and hike the last two miles of road up. The hike, unshaded and generally steep, ends in a small, rocky, burned over, summit. Bring a mast if you want to hang a wire but this is really a summit best suited for a 2M activation using a better-than-stock antenna. ATT digital service is good enough for self-spotting. I did not try APRS. The views are terrific!
Long Version - Rocky Top is one of the few Detroit Lake area summits, along with Mount Beachie and Battle Ax, still accessible after the Beachie Creek Lionshead fire. The trail head is a little more than two hours from SE Portland and all but the last nine miles are on paved road. Access is from HW22 in Niagra - you'll see a big paddle wheel at the turn and though the road turns to the trailhead are marked, best to map this one out before going. You can drive all the way to the trailhead but know that the road is very rough, narrow and exposed in places, and has few turnouts after the Arches trailhead. If such things make you nervous, park at the Arches and hike the last two miles of road. Much to my dismay, camping isn't allowed anywhere near the trailhead, scotching my plans for an overnight stay.
The trailhead is well marked and the trail, in good condition. You will climb a series of sometimes steep switchbacks about 700 feet over 0.75 miles to a small, burned over, rocky summit. It is completely exposed and there's not really a good place to set up for HF, at least if you want to put a wire in the air. But 2M with a half-wave whip antenna seemed to be pretty easy as my first four contacts came from Portland, Tigard, and Beaverton. ATT digital service works well enough for self-spotting . I didn't check APRS. The views are good here, too, especially to the west and in July, there's a wild profusion of flowers, bees and butterflies.
One caution: as of July, 2024, there is construction on HW22 and FR46 past Niagra which can mean extra traffic and delays. Many of the trails and roads are still closed, too. Check with the Detroit Ranger station regarding road conditions.
I hiked Rocky Top late in the afternoon after activating Battle Ax and Mount Beachie with WX7OR. It made for a long day, about fourteen hours door to door but was a nice trio day. And as this was my third attempt for this hill - the first two halted by tree fall and snow conditions - I am happy to finally have it on my activated list.