This summit was a bit of a drive up from Highway 95.  Turn east onto E Ohio Match Rd and follow until E Forest Service Rd 1552.  This becomes gravel and then dirt and then rather rutted dirt.  A car might be able to navigate the ruts with careful driving but a high clearance vehicle or 4x4 would be better.  The upper portion of the road gets better.  Park at (47.87615426731026, -116.63432109643475) and follow the spur road around to the summit.  Hike is around 2 miles and 800' elevation OW.  The spur road had a couple tank traps in it and appears to dwindl

A Weyerhaeuser "Longview St Helens" motorized permit is required for this route: Take I5 to Exit 32; head East on Kalama River Road to very end. That is gate 6000 unlock gate and pass through. Take Road 6000 all the way to the end where you run into a gate is for non-motorized access. 

May 23, 2024

We stayed at the Wenatchee Guard Station and drove along FS-44 to 3C Spring, where we were stopped by a snowdrift and walked the 3-miles from there to Kelly Camp - then up to the summit.  There was still lots of snow cover along the road - it looked like it would be another 2-weeks or so before the road was open to Kelly Camp.  The foot trail to the summit was still heavily drifted, so we went up the nearby slope that had a southern exposure.  It was a great hike.

1.3 mi, +513 feet

This is a super pleasant hike on nice trails.  It would also be a great winter activation with skis or snowshoes.  There is a very nice enclosed warming hut near the top (within the activation zone) with a wood stove and a picnic table.

NOTE: not to be confused with the other Blacktail Mt, which is much farther north in the Idaho Panhandle.

For this 1pt summit, you really have to work for it.  The elevation gain is around 1800' and distance is around 2 miles OW.

This summit is within Weyerhaeuser's "Clatsop - Jewell" permit region. It also requires a significant hike/bike for the non-motorized permit holder. More details and routes available on request.

This summit is within Weyerhaeuser's "Clatsop - Jewell" permit region. It also requires a significant hike/bike for the non-motorized permit holder. More details and routes available on request.

The Spence Mountain Trail climbs about 1800 ft in 7 miles. Its not ever terribly steep but climbs steadily without much relief. There are plenty of gorgeous views to the South and West.

I had recent occasion to visit Northern Idaho and was able to fit in a few activations.

For this summit, it seemed like there was no good way to access the Stimson property. 

However, going around the back on Baker Lake Rd yielded a locked gate onto Sunrise Hill Lane around (48.209256, -117.265011) posted non-motorized access only about a mile from the summit.

Starting from State Highway 231 northbound towards Chewalah and turn right on Hafer Rd.  The turn left on Cottonwood Creek Rd and then right on Horseshoe Lake Rd.  Finally, there is a left turn on Mud Lake Rd.  This is somewhat rough and I would not do it after a heavy rain.  Alternatively, follow 231 into town and turn right on Flowery Trail Rd to the other end of Mud Lake Rd.  In any case, you can park at the Quartzite Mt Trailhead.  There are several spots available up and down the road.