NS7P's blog

This was the last of four Elkton, OR area summits that we explored on May 21, 2017. With a name like that, we were a bit apprehensive, but we set off along a route I traced on a topo map. It starts by turning off of Highway 38 onto Wetherly Creek Rd. This took us into an intense logging area, but no one was working on Sunday.

The third of four Elkton area summits that we went after was Bell Mountain, W7O/CC-061. We tried two routes. One was based on Google Maps directions, and the other was finding a route on the USGS topo map.

The second Elkton, OR area summit on our exploration list was Saddle Butte, W7O/CC-058.  The road to this summit starts near W7O/CC-80; but it looks considerably longer and more involved (I think it is called Little Tom Foley Rd). We headed out, and the road went through clearcuts and forests, but the dirt and gravel road quality was good.

Green Mountain, W7O/CM-109, is a two-point summit above the Calapooia River drainage in Oregon. It is 4505' asl and has a lookout tower on top. At least one hiking internet site said that it should be open to access by the public. I downloaded the Google Maps directions to it and headed off Thursday morning, May 18, 2017.

Huckleberry Mountain and its lookout is well known and for very good reasons. The catwalk around the elevated lookout offers wonderful, 360 degree views. All of the major snow capped peaks from Mt Hood to Thielsen and McLoughlin are visible. In addition, detailed views down into the nearby foothills are there for our enjoyment. The lookout makes a great place to do radio.

NF-2611 road leads to two summits north of Highway 126 near Leeburg, OR. Coming from Springfield, go about 27 miles east of the Main St/126 intersection. Turn north on NF-2611 (near MP 34) and follow the main road 4.5 miles to a large intersection and clearing. Each summit is worth two points.

This 3407' two-point summit is inviting in photos. It rises up above the McKenzie River near Leeburg, OR. Unfortunately, it is currently off limits. As soon as you turn north off of Highway 126 you are met with a locked gate (at least on Wednesday, May 10, 2017) with signs warning against trespassing, etc.