Good Views From Summit

As part of our annual summer trips Paula, N6VGW and myself (WA6ARA) try to go different routes and have fun along the way. As part of our 2014 excursion we stopped by Crater Lake in Oregon for a few days. While there we did a a couple of Summits On The Air, or SOTAs. These were Wizard Island and Mt Scott. While Mt Scott has been activated often, Wizard Island had never been activated. Wizard Island, is in the middle of Crater Lake so you can’t walk there, it is a boat trip and reservations are usually needed.

Silver Star is a classic hike in SW Washington that should be on everyone's list to do at least once.

Bull of the Woods is a pleasant and popular hike south of Estacada of about 6.5 miles and 1300 feet of gain. There's an unused (but locked) fire lookout at the summit, giving you a chance to be out of the sun (or rain) to activate by standing under the structure.

Here's a near drive-up south of Estacada with a hike as short as a quarter mile and 200 feet of gain.

UPDATE 2021 - Mount Lowe may have been damaged in the September 2020 fires. Check for access.

Naomi Peak is a great hike along a well-marked trail from the Tony Grove Lake area.  Tony Grove is a popular site seeing destination 28 miles NE of Logan Utah.  The summit has views in all direction and is highly recommended as a day hike or a SOTA adventure.

(3.6 miles, +2,400 ft, -300 ft, 7.4 mile approach)

 This peak is about 12 miles NW of McCall Idaho.  There is no trail to the summit, but it is an easy bushwhack.  To get to the "trailhead" take Hwy 55 north out of McCall and take the Brundage Ski area turn off a few miles north of town.  Follow this road to the Brundage Ski area, but instead of turning into the ski area parking lot remain on Goose Lake Rd.

Gem Peak is a drive-up with a fire lookout at the top that is available to rent.  This is an L-4 type lookout on top of a 30-foot tower that was constructed in 1964.  The road up is suitable for most vehicles, so long as they have a bit of clearance.  The road is gated just below the summit & it is likely that the lookout is being used if the gate is closed.

(2.8 miles, +2,200 feet)

Haystack Mountain is a nice hike up a well-maintained trail.  The summit is a large rockpile that has the scattered remains of an old fire lookout (“L-4” type lookout constructed in 1936 & destroyed on 1977).  Although there is room to setup on the summit rockpile, there is a more comfortable flat area about 20-feet below the summit that is well within the activation zone.  The trail may be accessed as follows: