Blogs

K7VK's picture

Beartrap Ridge, Idaho | 13 September 2023

Summit: 
W7I/LE-176

Beartrap Ridge is a sparsely treed summit having spectacular views of the steep landscape into Owl Creek and the Salmon River. Adding to the view are large wildfire patterns of the mid- 2000’s and exposed geology.

K7VK's picture

Summit 5540, Montana | 15 October 2023

Summit: 
W7M/LM-155

This is a drive-up summit into the activation zone.  A couple of concrete blocks and a tall steel antenna mast indicate the site was a possible old Timber Company repeater station when the land was under different ownership. The summit ownership is now US Forest Service.

K7WXW's picture

termination point wa | november 2023

Summit: 
W7W/LC-084

Summary - Termination Point, near Old Man Pass Sno Park (west of Indian Heaven Wilderness) is an easy drive from Portland by way of Carson. If you don't want much of a hike, you can drive up most of the way after turning from NF31. Just stop along the way wherever you decide that the giant mudholes or the sound of paint being scratched is more than you can bear. The final summit hike is very steep (trekking poles are a good idea) if short.  ATT cell service is servicable, APRS is good, two meter contacts unlikely.

K7WXW's picture

crazy hills wa | november 2023

Summit: 
W7W/LC-074

Summary - Crazy Hills, along with Lone Butte, is on the western boundary of Indian Heaven Wilderness, near the Lone Butte Sno Park. The drive is mostly on paved roads by way of Carson (Wind River and Meadow Creek) and includes a 1.5 mi hike (mostly cross country). Drive time from Portland is about ninety minutes. The summit hike follows a ridge and requires a short steep climb to the high point.  APRS is good, ATT cell is servicable, two meter contacts are a struggle.

K7ATN's picture

Windy Peak, OR | Nov 2023

Summit: 
W7O/CC-042

A near drive-up summit in the Coast Range. From Highway 36 around Milepost 20, take  BLM 17-8-31 Road, (Near 44.11999,-123.64626 and 17445 Oregon 36, Deadwood, Oregon).

Travel 4.2 miles on this Priusable gravel road and park when 0.2 miles from summit and walk up the road shown in the first photo. At the summit are remains of a fire lookout (see photos):
https://oregonlookouts.weebly.com/windy-peak.html

K7ATN's picture

Walker Point, OR | Nov 2023

Summit: 
W7O/CC-027

A near drive-up summit in the Coast Range. From Highway 36 near Milepost 18, take paved Nelson Mountain Road east. When the pavement ends just before 3 miles, turn uphill to stay on Nelson Mountain Road (my GPS called it Chickahominy). Do not go through the yellow gate - that's the 17-8-14 Road. Continue up to just past the 4 mile sign at a four way intersection turn right onto Walker Point Road.

K7VK's picture

Medicine Point, Montana | 24 August 2023

Summit: 
W7M/RC-077

Medicine Point is a popular US Forest Service rental lookout.  The hike is pleasant on a well-maintained good-grade trail, FS #181.  I set up SOTA operation a couple of hundred feet away from the lookout to not disturb a young couple that had rented it. Much of the southerly ridge from the trail junction to the lookout is within the activation zone.

K7AGL's picture

Rock Peak, WA | Oct 2023

Summit: 
W7W/SO-041

There are several trip reports available for Rock Peak, WA. I used: https://www.summitpost.org/rock-peak/709367 which had correct directions.  It is also accurate about the hike up being a short, steep, slippery ascent with medium density forest floor brush. Peakbagger has several other reports (https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=16430)

K7VK's picture

Summit 8022, Montana | 27 July 2023

Summit: 
W7M/RC-098

This unnamed summit is a bald rocky grassland overlooking a large mostly roadless area (Allan Mountain 01946) and the southern end of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area. It has a very good trail, FS #178 due in part to regular trail maintenance through a huge amount of fire-killed fallen trees. The hike also travels through large southerly-aspect grassland-slopes that could be quite warm during mid-day summer months.

K7VK's picture

Saddle Mountain, Montana | 26 July 2023

Summit: 
W7M/RC-071

Saddle Mountain is near the Lost Trail Pass Ski Area. The SOTA summit access road serves the upper facilities of the ski area. A high clearance vehicle can drive to within 0.25 miles of the summit. The summit has good views. It is very open and rocky with limited space for long wire antennas.