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NS7P's picture

Aug 3, 2012 NS7P activation of Buck Mountain (W7/WV-076)

Summit: 
W7O/WV-076

Buck Mtn and its "sister" summit, Mt Tom make a good two summit day, which is how I did it.   They are about a mile apart and nearly the same elevation at over 3100'.  They are north of Mohawk, OR and accessed from them same mountain/logging roads.  They are easily reached  from the Eugene/Springfield area.  Take the 42nd St exit from I-105 in Springfield, which provides access to the Marcola Rd north.  Follow that road to Hill St, and turn L onto Hill.  Take that a very short distance to the Mohawk Store.  Go R at the store on Donna Rd.  tu

KK7DS's picture

Waldo Mountain, OR | Aug 2012

Summit: 
W7O/CM-034

This past weekend, Taylor K7TAY and I successfully executed our first overnight SOTA activation. We went to Waldo Mountain in Central Oregon, a 6-point peak with a three-mile (each way) trail ending at a spectacular view and one of the few remaining lookout structures in Oregon.

K7ATN's picture

West Tiger Mountain, WA | July-2012

Summit: 
W7W/KG-116

This is the most ambitious of the three Tiger Mountain State Forest SOTA summits. It appears to be about six miles (one way) from the Tiger Summit Trailhead parking area and 1600 feet of gain. Using the upper parking lot probably would only save you a few feet of elevation gain and isn’t much shorter. If you use the upper parking lot head east on the Connector Trail and then left up the road. Remember that a Washington Discover Pass is required at the trailhead and that there is an unattractive outhouse at the upper parking lot.

KK7DS's picture

Trout Creek Hill, WA

Summit: 
W7W/LC-120

On our way into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest heading to Lookout Mountain that morning, we noticed that we passed Trout Creek Hill on the right, with what seemed like open roads heading in the general direction. Taylor made note of the route we'd need to take on the topo maps, assuming all the roads were actually open. We figured that we might at least drive up towards this one after we finished at Lookout Mountain, even if only to survey the potential. As it turned out, this became our third and final summit of our whirlwind ten-point day.

K7TAY's picture

"D-Layer" Mountain in WA

Summit: 
W7W/LC-067

A few weeks ago I had a minor toe procedure that left me out of commission and unable to hike. To slowly get back in the swing of things, KK7DS and I planned to summit Lookout Mountain (W7/LC-066) after a tip from N7AAM. This particular summit is mostly accessible by car and requires minimal hiking. As we drove along FR 43 to Lookout Mountain, I saw "D-Layer" mountain come into view on the topo map. There were no roads leading to the top, but the topo lines gave the appearance that it would be a relatively easy bushwhacking adventure over a short distance. We decided to scope it out on our way back from Lookout Mountain.

KK7DS's picture

Lookout Mountain, WA

Summit: 
W7W/LC-066

For Taylor's first post-surgery activation, we were looking for a summit we could nearly drive to in order to minimize the required walking. The morning of the trip was the first time she had donned her boots since the procedure, so we weren't sure how much walking she'd be up for. We had originally planned a 2-point summit in the coast range because we knew we could get within a few hundred feet in the Jeep. However, a late tip from N7AAM on Friday had us rolling towards Lookout Mountain on the Washington side of the gorge.

K7TAY's picture

Mt. Defiance - July 8, 2012

Summit: 
W7O/CN-039

A short hike to Mount Defiance in Oregon is from Wahtum Lake Road and is about 3.6 miles roundtrip with 1140 ft gain. From Dee near Hood River, it's about a 10-mile drive on FR 2820 to the Upper Mount Defiance trailhead.

K7ATN's picture

South Tiger Mountain, WA | July-2012

Summit: 
W7W/KG-121

South Tiger Mountain is the easiest of a trio of peaks in the Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issaquah, Washington.

(Note of August 2018 - temporary closure of South Tiger Traverse - access from the north is still possible.)

I-90 Exit 25 for Highway 18 is the easiest way to reach the trailhead parking area. I've used the upper parking lot for two activations here - note that a Washington State Discovery Pass is required. There is an unattractive toilet at the upper parking lot.

NS7P's picture

Notes on Grouse Mountain

Summit: 
W7O/WV-007

Not activated.  I spoke to the FS ranger for that area, and he told me that there are no trails to the summit; and that it would be a hard, steep bushwhack to the top.  Furthermore, a road that heads around the side of the mountain is pretty rough for a car.  On 7/11/12 we looked the mountain over in person and decided that for now we will take the ranger's advice and skip it.

NS7P's picture

Fairview Peak 7/11/12 Trip Report by NS7P

Summit: 
W7O/WV-004

Bohemia Mountain and Fairview peak are adjacent to each other and make a good activation pair.  They are nearly 6000' ASL and are among the highest W7/WV summits.  The views from the top of either one are wonderful.  Bohemia is the higher of the two and is a moderately easy hike, while Fairview is a drive up with a fire lookout on top.