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, WA | November 2016
Silver Star is a classic hike in SW Washington that should be on everyone's list to do at least once.
W7O/WV-057 Little Cowhorn Mountain, OR, 28/OCT/2016, NS7P
Little Cowhorn Mountain is a summit north of Oakridge, OR that has an inactive lookout cabin perched on rock columns. This 4236’, two point summit offers great views of the Sisters and other Cascade mountains. It is an easy hike of a mile or so with about 850’ of elevation rise.
Lowder Mountain, OR, 25 October 2016, NS7P
Lowder Mountain is a 5570’, 4 point summit southeast of Cougar Reservoir in the Three Sisters Wilderness. A 5.6 mile round trip hike leads through forest and hillside meadows up to a mostly treeless summit. Net elevation rise is about 900’. A short side trip from the top opens up to great views of steep cliffs and lakes far below.
Bull of the Woods, OR | August 2014
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.
Oak Grove Butte, OR | October 2016
Here's a near drive-up south of Estacada with a hike as short as a quarter mile and 200 feet of gain.
Mount Lowe, OR | October 2016
UPDATE 2021 - Mount Lowe may have been damaged in the September 2020 fires. Check for access.
Nash Crater Activation, Sept 20, 2014
Nash crater (W7O/CM-100) is just south and west of where OR 22 intersects with
US Hwy20 near Santiam Pass. Take FS 2676 off of US Hwy 20. After a quarter of
a mile, take a left onto FS 723. Note that I found this area to be pretty much
unsigned with multiple roads going in many directions. Take a map and GPS. Its
confusing at times.
Follow FS 723 around the east side of Nash crater. Ascend to a slight saddle
and flat area on the southeast flank of the mountain. I found a small pullout
here and parked.
Naomi Peak, UT | October 2016
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.
Red Mtn, WA | Third time is the charm (October 1, 2016)
This was my third attempt at Red Mountain. The first time I had not done any previous research on this summit, other than I have seen people on several occasions head up to the final summit (as I walked past to go to Red Pass) that really did not look like they were doing other than a day hike.