Summit is exposed to wind, rain, sun (and good views)
Point Mountain has a pretty good trail most of the way. It is mainly a steep bald mountainside especially for the last few hundred yards of the climb. I do not recommend short cutting, the brush is too thick where it gets tempting because you are oh-so-close to the top. This is also an area known for bear. My first trip up I got growled at by something in the thicket ?? Turned around and kept to trail...
I believe previous activations of W7O/SC-071 reached the summit from the hang glider parking area to the north at the end of Woodrat Mountain Rd. When I looked at Google Maps satellite view, I noticed a distinct trail from an earlier spot on Woodrat Mtn Road, to the east of the summit. Woodrat Mountain Road is reached via Griffin Creek Road and Sterling Creek Road from the east. It begins with asphalt pavement and then turns to gravel/dirt but is in very good shape compared to other forest roads in this area. I was able to easily find where Woodrat Mtn Road was inter
Yesterday's SOTA adventure took me to the top of Mount Maria near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho for a first time activation. The hike up was right at 1 mile in length and took about 45 minutes. The last section was very steep, so had to slow down the pace quite a bit.
The view from the top was spectacular. To the south you could see the town of Horseshoe Bend. To the southeast, Shafer Butte. To the north was a nice view up the Payette river.
Great day weather wise, about 70 degrees and sunny. Hardly a breath of wind on the top.
This is a 1-point peak in Stimson Logging land, accessible via a hike from their gate on the edge of the Clatsop State Forest. The majority of this hike is on gravel and grass logging road, but the last section of the approach requires a climb across open clear-cut land. This peak would combine well with NC-085 in the same day, as that peak can be accessed by some of the same forest roads without too much backtracking.
Self explanatory as it is just walking up the road to the lookout, I guestimate from memory 1/2 mile walk from gate. Dutchman Peak Lookout is the last of the original cupola lookouts still in use, and is also one of the oldest, built in 1927. Outstanding views of course, and you can go into the lookout and check out some of their mapping and compassing tools. A bit steep and rocky at the top. You won't have trouble finding any spot for a pole.
I was brought to Beaty's Butte years ago by Robin N7HAP, a trip that was my first experience of Eastern Oregon, and I fell in love with the area. There is a uniqueness and beauty to the solitude and vastness of this area. I like to make at least one trip a year to enjoy, so Beaty's was at the top of my SOTA list to activate, this was my 2nd SOTA.
Big Red is one of several mountains along the Siskiyou Divide. From road 40S29, the hike is relatively easy, starting through the timber and then it opens up to a short climb to the top. I did not keep track of details but my memory guestimates a fairly easy 1/2 mi hike, about 200' gain, Big Red has fascinating rock and crystal formation on it. Abundance of wildflowers in early summer. So lots of rock, a few trees on top for setting up and no interference. Spectacular 360 view of the area including Shasta to Crater lake rim, Monogram Lakes, a few small natural mountain lakes below.
A short, but scenic 2.6 mile round trip hike. Mostly it follows well defined elk paths, some minor scrambles over rocks, not quite class 3. One could stay in the trees to either side of the ridge and avoid the rocks.
On March 4, 2020, I accomplished the first SOTA Activation of Park Benchmark, Utah. While researching the vicinity of Park City, Utah, for a downhill ski trip, I was very surprised to learn that this easy to climb peak had not been Activated before. Park Benchmark, W7U/SM-042, has an elevation of 9,363 feet, and fantastic 360 degree views of the mighty Wasatch and Western Uinta Mountain Ranges.
