I activated Holland Point, W7O/WV-017, on 13 May 2016. This is typically an easy hike to the top of the 1542 m (5057') Cascade foothill south of Cottage Grove, OR. The directions are given below. However, there can be obstacles early in the season before crews have cleared downed trees from the roads. That was the problem I ran into.
Springtime dandy in Central Washington Cascade Mountains! A weekday (Friday) activation of Granite Mountain, together with Tim Nair, KG7EJT. Granite Mountain, 5,629 feet elevation, with 3,800 feet elevation gain and 8.6 miles RT, is located near the Denny Creek area, off exit 74, I-90, near Snoqualmie Pass. Tim and I had previously Activated Granite Mountain during the winter of 2015. This time we also had great weather, some mushy snow slogging, stupendous views and inquisitive hikers at the summit, which all combined for another fine Activation!
Wind Mountain is a great hike with fantastic views near Hood River Oregon. It is on the Washington State side of the river so your will need to cross the toll bridge to the Washington side if you are coming from Hood River, OR.
The toll is $1 I think and is well worth the price of admission for Wind Mountain. You will pass the parking for Dog Mtn on the way to Wind Mtn if coming from Hood River. Dog Mtn is another popular hike to a SOTA summit.
One of a couple Squaw Butte's in Idaho, this one near Emmett Idaho was activated on a pleasant Spring day. Heading North out of Emmett Idaho, you can connect to a dirt road that leads you to the top of "Squaw Butte". However, the highpoint is about a 2 mile hike from where most passenger cars will need to park.
Crown Butte is one of several laccoliths that protrude from the prairie south west of Great Falls. It is the smaller cousin of the nearby Square Butte, which figures so famously in Charlie Russell paintings. The butte is primarily owned by the Nature Conservancy, as a preserve
After wanting to get started activating peaks under the SOTA program, a push from Brett, KG7FFW got both of us out to do our first activation at Three Lakes Hill on Tuesday the 26th of April. A frustrating discovery that there were no good place to park that did not require a Discovery Pass, forced a quick trip into Monroe to purchase one. Upon returning, we discovered that someone had spread nails all about the parking area.
This is a pleasant, short hike that is accessible by most vehicles. The summit is an open, broad knoll that offers nice views in all directions. There is an exceptional profusion of Bitterroots (the Montana state flower) on the sum
This was the first activation of "Peak 4700" off Hwy21 on the way to Idaho City from Boise. The peak rises right from the hwy, but access is from the opposite (South) side. This was my second attempt at the peak as an impromptu mountain bike attempt late in 2015 was thwarted by snow.
This is a pleasant, short hike that is clear of snow early in the spring. The approach is on a dirt road that while suitable for most cars, may be impassible when snowy or muddy.