KJ7OKW's picture

Sonyok Mountain - Montana July 2020

Summit: 
W7M/LO-115

Sonyok Mountain (W7M/LO-115) is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation of northwestern Montana in Sanders county. It has a lookout tower at the summit that apears to be in good shape but was not manned the day I was there. A recreation permit is required to recreate off road on the reservation and the cost is $100 a season. Any local sporting goods store will have them. Although I did not encounter another person on this drive and could have gotten away without the permit, you DO NOT want to get caught by the tribal police, who do patrol their lands, without this permit.

N0DNF's picture

W7I Association Manager

Hi all...I was humbled to be asked to become the new W7I (Idaho) Association Manager by Elliot -K6EL. I would just like to let everyone here to feel free to email me with any summit questions/suggestions/problems that you may have. If I don't have an answer I will try and find it for you.  I live in Pocatello Idaho and  travel throughout Idaho and the Inter-Mountain West. My email is bskerj@gmail.com  

  Many thanks to Scott, K7ZO, the former Assoiation Manager of W7I who helped me with any questions that I had when I first started this great hobby.

KJ7OKW's picture

Henry Peak, MT July 2022

Summit: 
W7M/LO-090

This is a two pointer just outside of Plains Montana. It's a 13 mile drive on forest service roads and then a difficullt scramble over steep, heavily wooded terrain. Add to that the Forest Service cut down hundreds of juvenile trees two years ago in an attempt to eliminate potential fuel for fire prevention. You have to step over many many logs to get to the summit. The scramble is just about two thirds a mile so it's very doable. The view from the top is worth it. Cell coverage is excellent. Carry bear spray as we spotted one on the drive up.

AE7AP's picture

Granite Peak, MT | July, 2022

Summit: 
W7M/BR-026

4.0 Miles, +2,500 ft, - 90 ft

These instructions are from the 4wd trailhead.  Approximately 3 miles of distance and 1,000 feet of gain can be eliminated if you have an OHV that is less than 50-inches wide.

K7AHR's picture

Fuji Mountain, OR | July 2022

Summit: 
W7O/CM-015

Fuji Mountain, gem of the central Cascades, and well-loved hike, is a fantastic choice if you're in the area. Only half an hour from the highway, and with a very pleasant and well-worn trail to the top, this is the easiest hiking of any of the SOTA peaks in the area that aren't drive-ups.

K7AHR's picture

Groundhog Mountain, OR | July 2022

Summit: 
W7O/CM-045

I headed out to do this one as a combo with W7O/CM-050; I did not due to heat and a boulder, but I recommend attempting it if you're in the area.

KI7EMX's picture

Celaya Benchmark, Idaho | July 2022

Summit: 
W7I/CI-082

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.

N0DNF's picture

BIG SOUTHERN BUTTE, IDAHO, JULY 2022- UPDATE

Summit: 
W7I/CI-092

I thought I would update this summit. It has been 10 years since KG7E put up a blog.

if you are planning on doing this summit make sure you do it from Atomic City off of highway 26. If you use Goolgle maps it will suggest you take highway 20 if you are heading from Arco Idaho or Idaho Falls/ Pocatello. if You take Highway 20 you will be going through the Idaho National Energy Laboratory which is closed to the public.

K7ATN's picture

Quilcene Ridge, WA | July 2022

Summit: 
W7W/NO-158

Depending on how much you like the paint on your vehicle, Quilcene Ridge might be a drive-up. Even so, where the slide alder starts significantly encroaching on the road it's only a quarter mile to the summit. So walking is an option.

W7MDN's picture

Calispell Peak, WA | 25 Jul 22

Summit: 
W7W/ST-002

Second attempt to get Calispell Peak. The approach and drive up make this a difficult hike to access with most vehicles. Even with a 4WD truck, you can do damage to your vehicle attempting to drive to the top. The smart move is to park on Calispel Peak Rd and hike from the 3.5 mi point to the summit, unless you'd like to do an alignment on your car.