K7ATN's blog

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Sawtooth Mountain, WA | August 2020

Summit: 
W7W/LC-166

Any opportunity to hike the Pacific Crest Trail for SOTA is a welcome one - and this may be one of the best we've experienced of this lovely national treasure of a trail. While only a bit less than five miles round trip and 1000 feet of gain, there is a challenging steep bushwack (Mode Sanglier - On!) that takes a bit of the shine off of the trail experience. A GPS will be important to successfully identifying the edge of the AZ.

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Peak 6401, OR | Aug 2020

Summit: 
W7O/NE-205

Aldrich Mountain in Grant County has two fairly accessible summits that make a nice pair to activate as part of the same day trip.  These include Aldrich Mountain (W7O/NE-054) and 6401 (W7O/NE-205).  Both are 6-point and located in the far western part of the Malheur National Forest, with access from Hwy 26 and Forest Routes 21 (Field Creek Rd) and 2150.  Route 21 is paved while 2150 is a well-maintained gravel road.  Plan for a 15 mile drive on 2150.  There are campgrounds in the area.  

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Flattop Mountain, WA | August 2020

Summit: 
W7W/LC-056

Flattop Mountain is a drive-up for those with capable high clearance vehicles. And maybe for those ready to buy new tires - which was required of us - as the road was steep with sharp rocks.

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Little Huckleberry Mountain, WA | August 2020

Summit: 
W7W/LC-041

Here's a nice summit with a trail to the top, about 5 miles RT and more elevation gain that you might have wanted at 1800 feet - but know that it's worth it. A bit obscure perhaps outside of huckleberry season, you might not see many folks at other times. The views of Mt. Adams are fabulous. 

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Peak 6001, OR | July 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CN-078

Starting from the High Prairie trailhead for Lookout by KI7EMX Mountain,  https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/High_Prairie_Trailhead head west on Bennett Pass Road from the Lookout Mountain “T” intersection.

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Pocket Knoll, OR | May 2020

Summit: 
W7O/SC-063

An easy road walk of a half-mile will take you to this summit. Of course, the road to get to the road walk is only suitable for vehicles with above average clearance.  

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Father Mountain, OR | May 2020

Summit: 
W7O/SC-150

This is a bushwack - not too long - but through a cluttered forest floor with lots of vines, branches and logs to trip you up - so that you might wish it were shorter. Out of the way on the South Coast near Port Orford, it will not likely see much traffic as the relatively close by Humbug Mountain W7O/SC-192 features a nice trail all the way to the top. The forest road to Father Mountain will probably accommodate a thoughtfully-driven passenger car, but I wouldn't say it was Priusable.

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Strawberry Mountain, OR | July 2017

Summit: 
W7O/NE-018

Here's one of Oregon's most approachable ten-point summits.

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Sardine Mountain, OR | Oct 2019

Summit: 
W7O/WV-027

Sardine Mountain is a short and steep trail of only about a third of a mile, but gaining about 500 feet. This is essentially a social trail that heads straight up the ridge that will disappear into the shrub in places. There are skittery rocks near the top requiring some focus to find a suitable path upwards. From the Willamette Valley, take Highway 22 east until just before the Breitenbush River bridge takes you into Detroit. You'll turn left here onto French Creek Road and go about 4.1 miles until the pavement ends and keep left onto Road 2223.