Blogs

W6PZA's picture

Haystack Butte, OR | November 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CE-221

Haystack Butte (W7O/CE-221) is located in the Crooked River National Grassland, which is part of the Ochoco NF.  There are some private grazing lands around the base and at the very top that you'll need to avoid, but access to a large activation zone is available via public lands.  Note that some online mapping platforms such as CalTopo do not accurately show the public/private land pattern in this area.  

K7VK's picture

Un-Named Summit 6925 - Idaho/Montana 17Sept2018

Summit: 
W7I/IC-195

This un-named summit on the Idaho/Montana Border has similar views as Skookum Butte Lookout to the east 1.5 miles.  The route also has good views looking down on Granite Lake.  Distance views are peaks in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.  It combines a vehicle drive, mountain bike road, a hiking trail and off-trail hike.

K7ATN's picture

3042 Ginpole Pk, WA | Nov 2020

Summit: 
W7W/MC-068

There is no access to Peak 3042  -  Ginpole Peak, Washington . It is about 10 miles east of BZ Corners. Summit access is behind a gate that is posted no trespassing by Weyerhaeuser. Consider nearby 2884 - Lakeside Ridge that has a more flexible landowner that permits non-motorized access. 

 

N0DNF's picture

Buckskin Mtn /Sept. 2020 Idaho

Summit: 
W7I/SI-197

From Pocatello ID, take I-15 South 25 miles until you see the McCammon/Lava Hot Springs exit on St. Hwy 30.  Head east on Hwy 30 past Lava Hot Springs and continue over Fish Creek Pass towards Soda Springs ID. At the bottom of the pass you will see Lund Rd.  crossing Hwy 30, go right on Lund and head South for approx. 1/2 a mile . You will come to a T in the road. Turn left and head East on Lund Rd. You will come to Central Rd.

K7VK's picture

Un-Named Summit 7940 -Idaho/Montana 12July2020

Summit: 
W7I/LE-182

This Idaho/Montana border summit is an easy ‘walk-up’ from US Forest Service Road #044.  The summit is on the Idaho/Montana border.  From the summit are good views of the steep slopes of the Salmon River Canyon and high summits in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. 

K7VK's picture

Elk Mountain - Montana 2July2020

Summit: 
W7M/LM-129

Elk Mountain is a short scramble off a good US Forest Service road.  The scramble is mostly on a ridge through an old clearcut that has in places heavy ceanothus brush.  Wood ticks can be abundant in the spring. 

K7VK's picture

Miller Peak - Montana 2July2020

Summit: 
W7M/LM-099

Miller Peak is a large commercial communications site.  Given that, the road accessible to the public is narrow, brushy and with few places to pass on coming vehicles.  The road can become a bit crowded in later summer if a huckleberry crop along the road entices pickers. 

K7WXW's picture

Skyline Ridge (Peak 761), OR | November 2020

Summit: 
W7O/WV-138

This is an urban park activation about thirty minutes from downtown Portland. No GPS device needed as Google maps provides good driving directions. Though you can pull off a 2M sidelwalk activation near the summit (which is on private property), a more pleasant place to operate from is Skyline Ridge Park (45.3905, -122.6634), about a half mile south. RF noise levels are high, so while a nice spot for an activation, don't expect big things on the HF bands.

AG7GP's picture

Bald Mountain November 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CS-095

Another Bald Mountain on my list. I swear we need a S2S Party just for summits with "Bald" in the name! Easy drive to summit but not really any view, just a nice park-like area. Beautifully timbered, relatively flat summit top. Easy to set up. I had zero service here. Might of had texting if I set up on the west edge but I almost always go for the east side. I had trouble hitting RBN and being found. 40m rescued me and I was able to get several QSOs once found.

AG7GP's picture

Olson Mountain OR November 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CS-108

Olson is a near drive to summit. Find a good spot to park on the side of the road and find a good opening in the timber and brush to get to the top/AZ. The road may even be in the AZ but I went a bit higher. Ample area and trees to set up and logs to sit on. We took the Butte Falls Hwy to Cobleigh Rd to Medco B Rd. All gravel roads were well maintained.