White Mountain, a US Forest Service Lookout since 1934, had been updated to an L4 Lookout cabin on a 41’ wooden tower in 1954. It is on the National Register of Historic Lookouts. It has good views of the southern Bitterroot Mountains, the Great Burn Wilderness Study Area, the Idaho/Montana border and the Lolo National Forest.
Current access is hiking approximately 2 miles through forest and along a permanently closed road.
Directions to Slide Rock Mountain W7M/GA-093:
From Missoula, MT 24.6 miles on I-90 East to Exit 126 (about 17 Miles)
South on Rock Creek Road for approximately 9 Miles
Turn East on Brewster Creek Road ,
Follow for 7 miles to County Road 354,
Follow for 2.6 miles to Slide Rock Mountain W7M/GA-093
This summit is slightly prominent over the old Ninemile Lookout Site. A sign on the summit points to this old lookout site approximately 0.25 miles east. Elevation difference is 28’. All that remains of the lookout are four large concrete support blocks, burned wood and rusting hardware scattered on the ground. Slow growing subalpine fir tower to over 40’ on the site.
The remainer of the summit is dense old forest with oddly shaped rock outcrops of banded-argillite. Due to dense forest, there are very limited vistas of the valleys below.
Stevens Peak is a forested summit overlooking Noxon Reservoir on the Clark Fork River. Much of the summit hike is along good loop Stevens Ridge Trail #1083. The summit is south of the small community of Noxon, Montana and the Noxon dam. The summit is a broad forested flat but there are good views of Noxon Reservoir and Cabinet Mountains on the northeast side of the summit where trees give way to steep rocky and grassy areas.
Trail miles: 1.8 on-trail, 0.3 off-trail, both round trip
Elevation gain: 800’
This nondescript summit is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding ridges and summits. It does have a rocky forested summit traversed by an old logging skid trail. It also lies at the head of interestingly named creek, Dirty Ike.
Being close to Clinton, MT, just off Interstate 90 and having a logging road traversing south slopes to just below this summit makes an easy activation or possible easy winter activation.
Trees on the summit provide good support for hanging wire antennas.
Trail Miles: 0.5 roundtrip
Dec 2025 Update: Access road to the Woodpecker Trailhead is now open. This road passes right past Forest Road 035 which is the turnoff described in the original trip report (http://www.pnwsota.org/node/681). Road 035 has been cleared of all large deadfall, but does narrow in places so suggest you walk this if you don't want paint scratches on the vehicle.
Dec 2025 Update: This area has been radically transformed by massive forest fires. Access roads to Timber Butte are now open after years of being closed (image below). The burned trees near roads have been logged to keep them clear. The summit and all of Forest Road 812 is completely burned. Summit views posted to SOTA Atlas.
Engle Peak has spectacular views of the southern Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area. Peak access is over good roads and a lightly used trail.
5526 is a 4-point summit in the Malheur National Forest, about 15 road miles northeast of Prairie City, OR. It is a very short bushwhack through open forest up to the summit area, which is pretty flat. The roads in the area are quite convoluted but the well worn tracks take you right close to the summit. The summit is semi-open, sparse views and plenty of trees for antennas. Don't expect 2m contacts here and AT&T data service was non-functional, so I relied upon RBN for spotting. I didn't think to check APRS.
5497 is a 4-point summit in the Malheur National Forest, about 23 road miles northeast of Prairie City, OR. It is about a 1 mile road walk/bushwhack (each way) to the summit through open terrain and forest. The area around the summit is closed to motor vehicles but has good remaining roads for walking. The summit is semi-open, no views and plenty of trees for antennas. Don't expect 2m contacts here and AT&T data service was non-functional, so I relied upon RBN for spotting. I didn't think to check APRS.