Lava Butte is an easy and fun four pointer if you are ever in Central Oregon. It is a drive-up summit part of the year. There is a sometimes staffed lookout at the top and enough room for operating and most any antenna. Since it is a popular spot, you could get plenty of questions about ham radio when it is busy.
Activation Reports
Submitted by KK7DS on
Summit:
While in town for the Hells Canyon Relay race, Taylor and I planned to hit two 10-point summits in the Joseph, OR area, our highest elevation and point value yet. What started off as a well-planned day trip unraveled into a messy situation. This is a long report, but worth the read!
Submitted by KR7W on
Summit:
On July 15, 2012, Rich KR7W, Pat WT7N, and Chuck AC7QN went out on a conditioning day hike for an upcoming long backpack. This hike started at the Cold Creek TH, about 3 miles south on FR-9070, which begins at the Hyak Exit #54, on I-90, just E of Snoqualmie Pass. The planned destination was the summit of Mt Catherine, 5052 ft, W7W/CW-066.
See: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-catherine
Submitted by NS7P on
Summit:
On August 29, 2012, Guy, N7UN, Annaliese, NH6Z and Phil, NS7P, activated Eagles Rest in the Willamette Valley foothills of Lane Co, OR. This small summit sits at 3024' ASL (1725' above the trailhead). It is exposed rock surrounded by forest.
Submitted by K7ATN on
Summit:
The trail is called the "Starway Trail" but it could be better named the "Stairway Trail" as it is one of the steepest trails I have ever hiked - but the views from the top are worth it. And then, the peak should also have the SOTA vanity name, "Starway." The elevation gain is in the order of 2400 feet in just over two miles and pretty much relentlessly climbs for the first half of the hike. Note that this peak can also be approached from Silver Star (from the south) with less elevation gain, although the trail is a bit faint in places.
Submitted by KX7L on
Summit:
I guess the winds must be blowing smoke from the fires in Wenatchee over the mountains. It was a pretty hazy day, especially at lower elevations. This one is a short hike (1.5 mi), but a steep one. The drive took me longer than expected, as did the hike, so I wound up about an hour late with the activation. The views were stupendous, though, inspite of the haziness, and the lookout tower at the top made a perfect support for my pole.