Activation Reports

Getting There

This is a pretty easy drive-up summit for most cars, although it gets a little steep and narrow at times so AWD and a little clearance doesn't hurt. 

Google Maps directions that have you entering from the north (Sherman Valley Road) have been correct on several visits. I can't speak to the directions Google gives from the south.

In the attached picture, I've parked at the green X and walked up hill 200-300 feet and turned right at the Y in the road, which brings you into the activation zone.

1.7 miles; +1,218 feet; -0 feet

Note:  This is on the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area and a Montana Conservation (fishing) license is required.

Driving Portion:

From the Fish Creek I-90 Exit (Exit 66) east of Superior:

0.6 miles; +481 feet; -6 feet

Note:  This is on State DNRC lands and a Montana Conservation (fishing) license is required.

Driving Portion:

From the Fish Creek I-90 Exit (Exit 66) east of Superior:

1.3 miles; +726 feet; -11 feet

Driving Portion:

From the Junction of River Street and Mullan Road on the north side of Superior:

1. Drive west on Mullan Road West for 6.4 miles.  The road will go westerly along the North side of the Clark Fork River, then turn up (North) Pardee Creek.
2. Turn Left (Northwest) on FS 7876 / 7866.  Drive up this road 1.5 miles and park at the junction with a gated road that turns left from the main road.

Road Walk Portion:

This SOTA summit is named after the male donkey. And if well trained, it would've been nice to have had one along on this trip.

Access the jeep trail along Frenchglen Highway 205 is here: 42.91903, -118.88723. You're within BLM land after under 100m, and for the rest of the trek. There was no gate to enter.

Short Version - Being a two point hill two or more hours from Portland, Green Point Mountain doesn't get much love. But from a single trailhead you can pair it with Mount Defiance or if you want to do an overnight, three or four other hills near Lost Lake. Greenpoint has an open summit, great views north and south, and plenty of trees on which to hang a wire. ATT service is good and, like Mount Defiance, you might be able to activate it using a 2M HT with a decent antenna.

Short Version - the Mount Defiance hike from the gorge (north) side is a project, with roughly ten miles RT hiking and 4900 feet of elevation gain. But there are other options, including a southwest approach that is six miles RT and 1100 feet or so of climbing. This writeup describes the southwest approach on trail 413, which begins on Dead Point Road at (45.63628, -121.74261). The drive from Hood River is about an hour on a combination of paved and dirt roads.

Divide Butte is a 2 point drive-up summit located in the Mouth Hood National Forest. It takes about 2 hours from Portland but can be combined with South Fork Mountain (W7O/WV-030). It is South of Estacada and SE of Molalla. The summit (and nearly entire area) is a burn scar. Expect downed trees early season or after a storm and bring a saw or chainsaw.

Pluto Peak is located in the Olympic National Forest and is accessed via a decommissioned forest road. The RT hike is 4  miles with 850 ft elevation gain.  Access is at Dosewallips Road (47.69872, -122.89640) off of Hwy 101. Distance from Hwy 101 turn to parking is 9.8 miles.  I did not have any cell coverage at the summit (ATT) but there is a robust APRS infrastructure in place in these mountains and I had full two-way APRS messaging for spotting.

TL;DR - Activation Details
Summit: Black Mountain, W7W/WH-172
Operator: N7JTT
Distance: 14.21 miles
Ascent: 4,087 feet
Moving time: 5:06:18
Average moving speed: 2.8 mph
QSOs: 8
Activation time: 17 minutes, 17 seconds
Radio: Elecraft KX2
Power: 5 watts QRP
Antenna: AX1 with 13-foot counterpoise
Cell coverage: Usable T-Mobile service at the summit