In August 2021, Josh, WU7H, and I motorbiked up to the gate of Rooster Rock. We had high hopes for this one, because we had read Roland's (K7FOP) excellent trip report from 2019. In fact, we had worked Roland, so we were looking forward to the SOTA Complete.
This was a summit that I have been wanting to do for quite some time. It appears to be a drive-up summit, because well it is. Except that there are very few areas to pull over as the summit itself is on private property.
A discussion with James, WA7JNJ, suggested he activated at 48.30379, -122.54255. But he was not necessarily recommending it. His activation was short and he has vowed not to return to this summit.....
Summary - The trailhead for Bells Mountain (45.79834, -122.40197) is about 45 minutes from SE Portland, the hike is an easy 650' climb on a rock-and-gravel road, and 2M contacts into Portland and Vancouver are possible with a half-wave whip. The view is open; you can see downtown Portland and with trees on the bordering the clearing, it is easy to get a wire into the air. A great "first season" summit. A Northwest Discover Pass is needed to park at the trailhead.
Quick update for this semi-popular summit. If you need directions, see WTA... it's very easy to get to.
The road: it's not terrible but I'd recommend a Subaru or better. There are a couple bad spots where high clearence is helpful.
The summit was BUGGY today. I had to wear my rain gear, head net, Deet... was sitting in a massive swarm, sweating. They still managed to bite me. It was hot and muggy, and quite a bit of smoke from the fires in EWA in the air. Views were still very nice despite the smoke.
Summary - Three Corner Rock (TRC) is easy to get to, includes a lovely forest hike with a steady climb, and a open summit with great views. 2M contacts into Portland are easy to make with a half-wave whip. Bring a mast if you want to put a wire in the air as there is only one, eight foot tall, tree to work with. The drive is about 90 minutes from the east side of Portland. The hike climbs about 1100 feet over two miles and is mostly on the well-used PCT.
Driveway Peak is a drive-to summit in the Lolo National Forest west of Thompson Falls, Montana.
Getting there - About one mile west of Thompson falls on highway 200 take a left turn onto highway MT S-471, also known as Prospect Creek Road. Travel about 13.8 miles until you see Forest Service Road 876 on your right. Follow this 8.0 miles to the summit.
5774 Entiat Ridge Peak (W7W/CH-197) is a short, steep hike from a trailhead reached out of the Leavenworth area. The summit has expansive views of the area. A high clearance vehicle should be used.
The summit is on the Entiat Ridge that also includes Sugarloaf Peak (W7W/CH-195), 5221 Twin Lead Mtn (W7W/CH-206), and Chumstick Mountain (W7W/CH-196). All four summits can be done in one long day. Two of the three summits (Sugarloaf and Chumstick) are drive-ups, Twin Lead is a drive-up or short hike, and Entiat Ridge Peak is a short hike.
Chumstick Mountain (W7W/CH-196) is a drive-up summit that can easily be reached out of the Leavenworth area. A high clearance vehicle should be used, particularly for the alternative route described below.
The summit is on the Entiat Ridge that also includes Sugarloaf Peak (W7W/CH-195), 5221 Twin Lead Mtn (W7W/CH-206), and 5774 Entiat Ridge Peak (W7W/CH-197). All four summits can be done in one long day. Two of the three summits (Sugarloaf and Chumstick) are drive-ups, Twin Lead is a drive-up or short hike, and Entiat Ridge Peak is a short hike.
DISCLAIMER: This summit should not be attempted without knowledge of rope systems, crevasse rescue and snow travel. It is a serious climb that should not be taken lightly.
Little Tahoma Peak is a sister summit of Mt Rainier. At 11,138' it is the 3rd tallest peak in Washington State. It is far less popular than Rainier due to the fact that the final few hundred feet is some of the loosest rock in the state.
5221 Twin Lead Mtn is a near drive-up summit on the Entiat Ridge near Leavenworth, WA, that also includes Sugarloaf Peak (W7W/CH-195), Chumstick Mountain (W7W/CH-196), and 5774 Entiat Ridge Peak (W7W/CH-197). All four summits can be done in one long day. Two of the three summits (Sugarloaf and Chumstick) are drive-ups, Twin Lead is either a drive-up or a short hike, and Entiat Ridge Peak is a short hike.