Activation Reports

Activated Quartz Creek Ridge with Bill (K7WXW) this last weekend. This summit is easily doable with North Quartz Creek Ridge in the same day. Access for both summits is in the middle on a sometimes-not-mapped trail, TH at 46.24186, -121.72969 . This trail system is mixed-use. We saw ultramarathon runners (Dark Divide Ultra), mountain bikers, and dirtbikes. Prepare your ankles accordingly, the trail is often a narrow rut through the dirt because of the motorcycle traffic.

INACCESABLE SUMMIT

Trout Creek Mountain is an exposed summit amongst many similar looking peaks along a range.  The only trees in the activation zone were consumed in a past fire and I would not suggest taking cover or trying to erect an antenna mast in the area.  20m was open and I made five (5) contacts in quick succession.  After 20m went quiet I tried 40m with no success.

Driveway Peak is in Sanders County, Montana Northwest of Thompson Falls, Montana. It counts for both the SOTA and POTA program. SOTA reference W7M/LO-067 and POTA Park K-4507.

Sonyok Mountain (W7M/LO-115) is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation of northwestern Montana in Sanders county. It has a lookout tower at the summit that apears to be in good shape but was not manned the day I was there. A recreation permit is required to recreate off road on the reservation and the cost is $100 a season. Any local sporting goods store will have them. Although I did not encounter another person on this drive and could have gotten away without the permit, you DO NOT want to get caught by the tribal police, who do patrol their lands, without this permit.

This is a two pointer just outside of Plains Montana. It's a 13 mile drive on forest service roads and then a difficullt scramble over steep, heavily wooded terrain. Add to that the Forest Service cut down hundreds of juvenile trees two years ago in an attempt to eliminate potential fuel for fire prevention. You have to step over many many logs to get to the summit. The scramble is just about two thirds a mile so it's very doable. The view from the top is worth it. Cell coverage is excellent. Carry bear spray as we spotted one on the drive up.

4.0 Miles, +2,500 ft, - 90 ft

These instructions are from the 4wd trailhead.  Approximately 3 miles of distance and 1,000 feet of gain can be eliminated if you have an OHV that is less than 50-inches wide.

Fuji Mountain, gem of the central Cascades, and well-loved hike, is a fantastic choice if you're in the area. Only half an hour from the highway, and with a very pleasant and well-worn trail to the top, this is the easiest hiking of any of the SOTA peaks in the area that aren't drive-ups.

I headed out to do this one as a combo with W7O/CM-050; I did not due to heat and a boulder, but I recommend attempting it if you're in the area.

This was the first activation of Celaya Benchmark.  The summit is very non-descript, extremely exposed but close to a drive-up activation. The last 2 miles is a lightly used overgrown road, but certainly comfortable in a small 4-wheel drive (Subaru Outback/Crosstrek).  I would NOT recommend a Prius attempt this last section of road. If driving in a low clearance sedan, you could park at the intersection described below (42.02146, -114.94743) and hike the last 2 miles.  The elevation gain is less than 400 feet to the summit.