Blogs

K7AGL's picture

Dennie Ahl Hill, WA | April 2023

Summit: 
W7W/SO-079

Dennie Ahl Hill is due west of Hoodsport WA. We used Google maps from Shelton and it routed us correctly. Our route was "priusable" with some potholes that are navigatable. It has a wide activation zone and FM into the Seattle area is doable. I set up HF to get some S2S, trees around the perimeter make it easy to set up a mast and you can easily lounge in a chair in the flat area.  Easy Peazy summit.

K7WXW's picture

cornell mtn or (the long way) | april 2023

Summit: 
W7O/WV-090

TL;DR - Cornell Mountain is on private property but the activation zone extends to the public right-of-way, so this is a side-of-the-street activation. You might be able to activate on HF with appropriate gear but expect the locals to give you the stinkeye if you spend much time loitering.

AG7GP's picture

"New" Sloan Mountain, OR April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/SC-396

First of all Brian, AB6D was the first on this mountain. New updates and advanced accuracy apparently changed the true summit to the NE peak rather than the SW. I wouldn't have gone if I hadn't read his summary. Same mountain, nearly same trek, just a slightly different finish.

AG7GP's picture

Battle Mountain, OR April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/SC-083

This was #4 of 4 in a day. Battle Mountain on a map looks like it is a drive up but it is not. It is mostly a burn scar and the original lookout road (lookout is gone) has been bermed. It is a very nice summit on top. Flat, open but big timber for shade and a view. Lookout ruins, footings. Getting up was not easy though.

AG7GP's picture

Black Butte, OR April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/SC-103

This was #3 of 4 summits in a day up May Creek. This was a little difficult set up. Crowded brush and timber. One thing to realize is the NE peak is also in the AZ, the saddle doesn't drop below the AZ mark. I just hiked up the this peak. It is steep country and once you reach the AZ it is very thick. Luckily the NNW ridge up the NE peak has been thinned and fuel break up to the BLM boundary so you can trek most of the way with little bushwhack.

AG7GP's picture

3580, OR April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/SC-254

This was summit #2 for the day after SC-102. You could do neighboring Black Butte also, I just missed the turn and went to this one first. Nice short trek up the forested west ridge from a wide parking/camping area with large fire ring. Only about .30 mi up. Plenty of space to set up. Pretty flat with timber. One interesting thing with the AZ here is all maps say this summit is over 3600', not 3580'. However the trek is so easy and short getting to the top is not difficult.

AG7GP's picture

Bald Mountain, OR April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/SC-102

This summit gets its name from its other peak outside of the AZ, it is not Bald and pretty thick brush, skinny timber/madrone. Not the easiest set up but doable.Great road up, paved first miles on May Creek and then right on Bald Mt Rd. No sign, the turn goes over a the creek with a drain pond on the left, at least in April. Drive up to AZ and find a location up bank to activate.

Bald Mt was #1 of 4 in a full day of activation

de AG7GP

N7KOM's picture

Bates Butte, OR | April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/CM-101

South of Bend is a little 2-pointer named Bates Butte. I had mapped out a route from the south side. Frome Bend take South Century Drive and make a left on Forest Lane, a paved forest road. Take a right at 43.80887, -121.50379 and make a short drive up a forest road. There was still a bit of snow when I was there, so 4 wheel drive recommended, but probably doable on 2 wheel drive when dry. I parked at 43.80536, -121.50776. From here look for a decent worn trail heading north up the butte.

AG7GP's picture

"Welly Belle", OR April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/SC-385

This summit was just added to the database and it was a great hike. A nice ~2mi RT hike on a decommissioned road and dirt bike trail. Plenty of room to operate, shade or sun. Outstanding view of the Applegate Valley, Mt Isabelle, and beyond. This is the same parking location for hiking Isabelle so if you're feeling adventurous you could do both. Really adventurous Wellington Butte TH is just a couple miles away.

N7UN's picture

No Access Maryhill Benchmark

Summit: 
W7W/MC-065

Maryhill Benchmark is on the east side of SR97 and in the middle of a giant windm9ll farm.  From what I can find, all access is blocked by gates and no tresspassing signs.  Undoubtedly for security purposes.