This was the first activation of Elk Mountain. Apparently, the summit has three names, 1) Elk Mountain, 2) Red Point, and 3) Rogers VABM (Vertical Mountain Benchmark). SOTA designates the summit as Elk Mountain, so we’ll go with that! Activating in Nevada was a new experience. This summit is very remote. The mountainsides and valleys were very green, even in late August. The summit is strewn with loose rock and is extremely exposed.
We headed up to Tropo after getting some excellent pointers from Etienne K7ATN. He and Darryl WW7D were also up here a few days ago.
The route we took started from Morton, WA on Hwy 7 northbound. Unfortunately, Google Maps wants to route through private gated property. So we continued on north until NF-74 and turned off there. We followed NF-74 to the crossing with NF-295. Beyond that point, you will need to disregard your vehicle's paint job. The scrub brush is very ingrown on the next section of NF-74.
Calimus is a drive up summit with manned lookout that was built in 1920. Very cute little lookout and great views of course. When I went Sharon was working and was very welcoming and we had a great tour and visit. She couldn't join me for the activation because she was on extreme fire watch, unable to leave her upstairs and radios. She knew some other hams including a neighboring lookout worker at Spodue.
Solomon Butte on a map looks like it has roads going everywhere but it really doesn't. To get to a good start you will want to get to RD 4504 that somewhat circles the summit part way up. This is a jeep road with some tight pin striping opportunity in some areas and soft pumice your tires will sink in in other portions.
This was the first activation of the summit. This was a straight-up bushwhack climb of around 500 feet and a ½ mile. Just before the summit there is a 15-foot vertical rock scramble. After searching around I found a route that I felt safe attempting. My fears far outweighed the reality.
This was the first activation of Spring Benchmark. Prior knowledge would have been helpful, but some early google earth research resulted in a successful ascent/activation.
W7I/SI-151 is located near Lava Hot Springs Idaho. The summit is on Idaho Public Land but accessed through posted private land. You MUST get permission from the land owner who is generally reasonable when permission is asked and he has no cultivated crops.
Access and other info in my post on Quartz Creek Ridge
Continuing our hike from Quartz Creek Ridge, at the access trail junction Bill K7WXW and I retrieved my stashed water, had a small break from the aggressive climb up from the ridge saddle, and then continued north on the Summit Prairie Trail.
Trout Creek Mountain is an exposed summit amongst many similar looking peaks along a range. The only trees in the activation zone were consumed in a past fire and I would not suggest taking cover or trying to erect an antenna mast in the area. 20m was open and I made five (5) contacts in quick succession. After 20m went quiet I tried 40m with no success.
This was the first activation of Celaya Benchmark. The summit is very non-descript, extremely exposed but close to a drive-up activation. The last 2 miles is a lightly used overgrown road, but certainly comfortable in a small 4-wheel drive (Subaru Outback/Crosstrek). I would NOT recommend a Prius attempt this last section of road.