Blogs

K7MK's picture

Wind Mountain, WA | August 2015

Summit: 
W7W/LC-146

Wind Mountain is a great hike with fantastic views near Hood River Oregon.  It is on the Washington State side of the river so your will need to cross the toll bridge to the Washington side if you are coming from Hood River, OR.

The toll is $1 I think and is well worth the price of admission for Wind Mountain.  You will pass the parking for Dog Mtn on the way to Wind Mtn if coming from Hood River.  Dog Mtn is another popular hike to a SOTA summit.

K7MK's picture

Squaw Butte, Emmett ID | May 2016

Summit: 
W7I/SR-126

One of a couple Squaw Butte's in Idaho, this one near Emmett Idaho was activated on a pleasant Spring day.  Heading North out of Emmett Idaho, you can connect to a dirt road that leads you to the top of "Squaw Butte".  However, the highpoint is about a 2 mile hike from where most passenger cars will need to park.

 

K1LB's picture

Two W7N summits bagged on May 1 for this newbie activator

Summit: 
W7N/WC-028

Mt Scott - W7N/WC-028 - at the south end of the Virginia Range near Carson City required no walking/hiking at all; just drive up Goni Road from Carson City and park on top where all the dozen broadcast stations are located. The six mile mountain road climbs steeply on a washed out gravel road requiring a high clearance 4x4.

AE7AP's picture

Crown Butte, MT | April-2016 (1.9 miles, 1,040 ft)

Summit: 
W7M/NF-119

Crown Butte is one of several laccoliths that protrude from the prairie south west of Great Falls.  It is the smaller cousin of the nearby Square Butte, which figures so famously in Charlie Russell paintings.  The butte is primarily owned by the Nature Conservancy, as a preserve

KB7WSD's picture

Sunny, warm day made a first time activation fun!

Summit: 
W7W/SN-178

After wanting to get started activating peaks under the SOTA program, a push from Brett, KG7FFW got both of us out to do our first activation at Three Lakes Hill on Tuesday the 26th of April.  A frustrating discovery that there were no good place to park that did not require a Discovery Pass, forced a quick trip into Monroe to purchase one. Upon returning, we discovered that someone had spread nails all about the parking area.

K7MK's picture

Mount Heinen, Idaho | April 2016

Summit: 
W7I/BC-082

First Activation of Mount Heinen.

Full Report coming soon.

AE7AP's picture

"6685", MT | April - 2016 (530 ft, 0.8 mi)

Summit: 
W7M/CL-146

This is a pleasant, short hike that is accessible by most vehicles.  The summit is an open, broad knoll that offers nice views in all directions.   There is an exceptional profusion of Bitterroots (the Montana state flower) on the sum

K7MK's picture

Peak 4700, Idaho | April 2016

Summit: 
W7I/BC-095

This was the first activation of "Peak 4700" off Hwy21 on the way to Idaho City from Boise.  The peak rises right from the hwy, but access is from the opposite (South) side.  This was my second attempt at the peak as an impromptu mountain bike attempt late in 2015 was thwarted by snow.

AE7AP's picture

Frenchman Hill, MT | April - 2016 (0.9 mi, 790 ft)

Summit: 
W7M/HB-121

This is a pleasant, short hike that is clear of snow early in the spring.  The approach is on a dirt road that while suitable for most cars, may be impassible when snowy or muddy.


 

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation - Hicks Butte, Kittitas County, Washington - April 16, 2016

Summit: 
W7W/CW-056

This was a joint SOTA Activation along with my SOTA Buddy: Tim, KG7EJT.  Hicks Butte, which had only been Activated once before, is a somewhat obscure SOTA summit located about 6.5 KM SW of exit 78 off I-90, between the towns of Easton and Cle Elum in Central Washington.  Hicks Butte is a 6 point SOTA Summit, and is 5,518 feet or 1,682 meters high.  Fine weather, great companionship, good views and a successful SOTA Activation yielded a great outing!