THIS Saturday, July 11 2020 is the W7W Cascade Crest Summit-to-Summit Party!

After leaving what we thought would be the last of our SOTA activation on our camping trip I got a text from my friend Matt, KC7OOY, that he was near the summit at Steens Mountain. Well, there was an easy drive up on the way out so why not try to at least get Matt! Decent road all the way to the top. Lots of equipment but had no problem with interference. Great view and a few areas to set up at, just not much for shade. Lots of wildflowers and butterflies. And yes, I did get the s2s with Matt as the plan was!

This was meant to be the last of our 3 night expedition (although I did manage to sneak one more in :) ). This summit was not in my notes but on our way out after packing up camp, we decided to at least take a peak. It was a nice morning hike. Lots of wildflowers. Plenty of area to set up. There is also a large domed rock to view to the east on I guess would be it's false summit. There was also a lot of hooting from the blue grouse.

This summit I went ahead to give a try after deciding Fishhole Mountain nearby was not an option for the day. This little summit ended up being a very nice, peaceful stroll. Robin wanted to rest so I took the hike up solo after we had enough pinstriping of the truck and it ended up being about 2.25 mile RT hike. The top is a forested park like area. There are also grown over old skid rows that make for an easy hike, not really any log hopping. Plenty of area to set up and enjoy the magnificent view looking down at the brilliant blue Butcher Flat Reservoir.

We had a couple delays getting to Dog Mountain but it was our own doing. We came from the east side opposite Dog Lake and took a road up which was not a proper access anymore. Burn scar, landslides and unmaintained roads made it impossible, and dangerous. You must enter from the west side of the mountain on Dog Mountain Rd. If you drive to the very top it is tight for parking. When we arrived the lookout was manned by a young man Lance who was very welcoming and let us set up on the lookout balcony.

"Trailhead" for Red Mountain has been moved. Etienne's trip report is here. Follow his directions but now drive Road 6048 to   45.9186° -121.8189° and a gate (the last half mile or so of this road is not very Priusable). This makes the RT about 4 miles and 1300 feet of gain. There's a spot for 2 cars, maybe 3 or more if others agree to let their car be blocked in. Less hiking now. Or you can still opt to park at the old trailhead and walk the road.

My second SOTA required a longer hike (~2 miles each way) than Mt. Electric but was also a lot of fun.

This was the last of three for the day. By this time my memory is getting a bit blurry. We took RD 3780 off of RD 28. Hiked on the overgrown roads that are on some maps (3780 320) until it looked good to start climbing up. A lot of burnt timber on the mountain. Combination of boulder patches and timber but plenty of room. de AG7GP

This was number 2 for the day. A short hike but only if you are interested in driving through some brush. Walking the road wouldn't be bad though. Plenty of area to set up. This was a short and sad activation as we were informed of Robin's cousin passing while on top.

Take access road off of main road 28. 28 is main FS road that is paved.

This was where we chose to camp for our multiple summit trip, just at the northern base of the mountain, in a nice forested flat, just a jog up RD 105, the road is blocked a little further up. Where we camped is also about where you want to hike up the summit. Nice hike but we got really tangled up going down the mountain too far down the NW ridge rather than the face of the ridge and were caught in solid buck brush. Check satellite images to avoid, if you avoid this its about a 1.75 mi RT hike in a mixed forest with lots of Sugar Pine in a blanket of Indian Paintbrush.