Dec 2025 Update: Access road to the Woodpecker Trailhead is now open. This road passes right past Forest Road 035 which is the turnoff described in the original trip report (http://www.pnwsota.org/node/681). Road 035 has been cleared of all large deadfall, but does narrow in places so suggest you walk this if you don't want paint scratches on the vehicle.
Dec 2025 Update: This area has been radically transformed by massive forest fires. Access roads to Timber Butte are now open after years of being closed (image below). The burned trees near roads have been logged to keep them clear. The summit and all of Forest Road 812 is completely burned. Summit views posted to SOTA Atlas.
I attempted to activate South Mountain (and Summit "1540") in the South Olympic Region. The land is owned by Green Diamond Resource Company. It looks like they have taken a page from Weyerhauser's play book and require permits for entry into this restricted use area of Mason County. See: https://nwpermits.greendiamond.com/ At the time of this writing, annual permits started on Sept 1 and Motorized permits cost $425 Ouch!
Access to Wocus and Little Wocus are off of Kirk Road. I drove from Yamsay Mtn so was driving SW on Kirk to make a loop. For Wocus, turn off of Kirk at 42.805317, -121.688200. For my activation I found an abandoned forest road that was hikable. I parked at 42.812600, -121.681117. See image below.
This summit had only been activated one time, 10 years ago, so I was not sure about how well this activation would go. Short version: one of the best SOTA activation experiences out there. Worth the drive east of the Crater Lake area. Put it on your list!
How about a trip report for a failied First Acitvation? I was planning on attempting Elk Mountain (the one down south by Brookings, OR) after activating Mt. Emily. I took NF-1983 down from Mt Emily and the plan was to take NF-1205 & NF 010 towards Elk Mtn. Then see if NF-010 connected with Winchuck River Road to the south. Then I'd take that road back to 101 and head north back to Brookings making it a giant loop.
After activating Palmer Butte, I crossed the bridge over the Chetco River on 101 and headed East on Chetco South Bank Road to attempt the first activation of Mount Emily. I posted the GPX track of the drive up and hike. The gravel roads are in decent shape. You could get all the way to the final access road without high clearance. There is a closed gate shortly up the final road so you wouldn't have to hike much further.
Straightforward nine-mile drive-up summit from Brookings. Posted GPS track to Sota Maps. Sections of final ascent are deeply rutted and need high clearance. You can park a little lower and walk slightly further. If high clearance there is a small parking spot outside the gate and a short walk to where all the radio towers are.
1570 is a simple drive up summit not requiring high clearance. There is a small access road that takes you very close to the true summit. Very easy one pointer.
From Hwy 12 take Winston Creek Road which turns into Salmon Creek Road turn right at 46.471728613082036, -122.5290032382229 and head up to 46.47704583163132, -122.54678976860303 and turn left on the small access to the summit.
Crazy Man Mtn is an easy drive up summit with the road in the AZ. See KL0NPs SOTA Atlas pics for true summit. I opted to stop where the clear cut was to enjoy the beautiful views of St Helens and Mt Adams and the morning sunshine. I was so sore from a previous double activation of Sunrise and Jumbo peaks theprevious day that I welcomed an easy drive up.
Posting GPS drive route to SOTA Maps. This is doable without high clearance.