Blogs

On a recent trip over to eastern Oregon, I had the opportunity to stop in Madras and a nearby summit Round Butte (W7O/CN-074) beckoned.  The directions from Google Maps led me up the approach from the north which turns onto a dirt road.  It is drivable in good, dry conditions but if you are at all worried there is another approach by continuing on west and around which finally climbs from the south.  That road is paved all the way to the top.  The paving is crumbling in places but still drivable.

This summit has a lot of value to it aside from the 4 points.  Its just a nice place to be.  Ample good parking at the visitor center.  Fascinating views of lava fields for the walk up the road to the top, and great views from the top.  A NW Forest Pass or day use fee is required.  The gate for the road to the top was open when I was there so you could drive to the top, however there is a 30 minute time limit for parking. Its a small parking area and busy so they keep cars rotating out.  Leaves insufficient time for SOTA-ing.

NC-106 is a long drive from Portland, and a bit of a hike, all for one point operating at barely over 2000 feet. If you don't mind the green canopy though, it's one of the prettiest forests I've walked in the NC region.

I received some pointers from Anne, K7AHR, they were crucial to getting there as the map and mapping software suggested turning up the west bank of the Salmonberry River. That road is replete with no trespassing signs.

NC-080 is one of the peaks in the Tillamook State Forest surrounding the Trask River valley, along the eastern edge. As such, the most straightforward approach is via Trask River Rd past the Trask River Park Campground.

In my quest to activate all the Portland Metro summits by bike I decided to link together a route that would have me hit Mt Scott (W7O/WV-095) and Mt Sylvania (W7O/WV-096). 

I had planned to activate a few summits before helping with the Tillamook Burn 100 Miler race but it was cancelled and I had already made the overnight reservations so I decided to activate my way back from Cape Lookout to Portland via Blaine Rd / Nestucca Rd.

NOTE: please see this entry for updated details.

This summit is located on Stimson land and according to the Stimson office, which KG7WED called, can be access on foot.

One approach is via Flisram Rd which is gated with a sign.

(Actually there are 2 signs: one is the standard non-motorized entry allowed during non-business hours but just behind that one is the one which says no entry except by permit.  Apparently, the one behind is no longer correct.)

Chris KC7UJO and I took advantage of some sunny weather to bike the Deschutes River Trail to Lava Butte. We met at Meadow Camp (Meadow Day Use Area on Google Maps). Chris was on a hardtrail MTB and I was on my cyclocross bike. The first (and last) mile of this out and back is pretty rocky. MTB reccommended, or catch the river trail at another point. I managed as best I could with my commuter tires and dropbars. 

Cedar Mountain is now gated and locked. You must have permission from land owner to access BLM land.