Black Hills High Point is minutes from downtown Olympia and adjacent to a popular city park with numerous walking paths, bike trails, and logging roads. Despite its proximity to population centers it had been activated only 4 times before my visit, most recently in 2019.
Activation Reports
Submitted by K4MEW on
Summit:
This unnamed summit in the Rattlesnake Recreation Area is a good option for a newer activator, especially in an area where many summits require full bushwhacks. I chose it early on because there is a trail that gets you most of the way, and although I expected to be off-trail for the final stretch, there is actually a clear social trail along the ridge. It's close to town, physically reasonable, and has reliable cell service, which makes it a low-stress activation.
Submitted by K7AGL on
Summit:
It has been many years since the first activation of this summit. Since that time it appears a Rock Quarry is now in place and the main access road is marked "No Public Entry" It appears that there is Green Diamond land behind the quarry, but could not find an alternate route to get there. The gate is open during the week for quarry traffic, but locked on the weekends. Pic below of gate and sign.
Submitted by W6PZA on
Summit:
W7O/CM-024 Irish Mountain
I activated Irish Mountain in July 2018 while backpacking with family in the Three Sisters Wilderness. We used the Crossings Way trailhead (via Forest Road 1958) and hiked to McFarland Lake where we set up camp. This is along Trail #3307, Crossing Way Trail. It was from here I hiked up to Irish Mtn as a side trip to activate the summit.
Submitted by N7JTT on
Summit:
Today’s trip up W7W/WH-193, Van Zandt Dike, started from the north side outside of Acme and turned into one of those classic foothill hikes that feels much bigger than the summit itself. The route covered 11.34 miles round trip with 2,541 feet of ascent over 4 hours and 29 minutes of moving time. Despite the modest summit prominence, the day delivered big views and just enough radio success to make the climb worthwhile.
Submitted by N7JTT on
Summit:
Van Zandt Dike, Big Views, Light QRP Setup, and a Japan Contact
W7W/WH-193
Submitted by AI7NN on
Summit:
I activated this summit a few years ago, so doing this write up based on the best of memory.
Back then you did not need a permit for day hiking or staying overnight in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Today you will need to apply for an overnight permit if you are camping, as well as a day hike permit for certain trail heads. See the following link https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675311 for info on how to obtain a Central Cascades Wilderness permit, as well as this map
Submitted by AI7NN on
Summit:
I activated this summit a few years ago, so doing this write up based on the best of memory.
Back then you did not need a permit for day hiking or staying overnight in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Today you will need to apply for an overnight permit if you are camping, as well as a day hike permit for certain trail heads. See the following link https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675311 for info on how to obtain a Central Cascades Wilderness permit, as well as this map