Activation Reports

Saturday, January 14, 2016, I attempted the first ever winter activation of Quartz Mountain. This summit intrigued me as I have previously skied on the cross country ski trails at Mt. Spokane. The trails, which many are on a Forest roads, create the basis for the cross country trail system. There is a warming hut in somewhat close proximity to the activation point. I believe it is possible to drive up to the summit during the summer. The cross country trail maps shows the road leading to the summit as “occasionally groomed”. It was unclear when or if this trail was groomed this year.

Tiffany Mountain’s 8242 foot summit classifies it as a 10 point SOTA summit. With only a few exceptions, 10 point summits in the W7W association are technical climbs, or exposed Class 3 or 4 scrambles.  Tiffany Mountain offers a well maintained and well graded trail to the summit. Starting with a gentle climb along a sparsely treed ridge, the trail gradually makes it way to a large grassy meadow about 1.5 miles into the hike. From the meadows, the wide rocky topped summit is viewed.

Yellow Butte is south of Drain, OR and seems to be open. A topo map will show the roads to get there. Generally, heading south from Drain, find West Rd to Cedar Rd. This will lead you to Drain Section Rd. Turn left off of Drain Section onto Hayhurst Rd. Turn right from Hayhurst onto Skelley Rd. Follow this to a poorly marked Andrews Creek Rd. Follow Andrews Ck, staying on the generally "main" dirt road. There are several sweeping U-turns that bring you to the final road to the summit. About half way up the road to the summit is a closed and locked gate.

I had intended to activate this summit on December 30, 2016. Another off limits summit.

This road was gated and locked just past the waste transfer station outside of Drain, OR. Consider this summit to be off limits.

I tried to activate this summit on December 30, 2016.  It wasn't to be.

Peak 5740 is one of the handful along the north side of Hwy 20 - west of Mtn Home Idaho.  Although, there was deep snow, this turned out to be a good winter bonus point summit.

Please see this detailed blog on the first activation of Mount Rainier by Doug-W1DMH.

http://w1dmh.blogspot.com/2014/06/rainier-w7wrs-001-sota.html#comment-form

I found that the turnoff at Lizard Creek Road off of Highway 20 was not marked by any sign. However, it is about 0.75 east of MP57 and exactly 33.0 miles from the Millican Store if you are coming from Bend.

I finally got an activation completed today (Dec 1, 2016).  I chose a relatively easy summit that is within 20 minutes of my home, Peak 1094. This peak is in the "back yard" of some rural/suburban houses and is apparently owned by a timber company. I asked for permission to hike from a neighbor. He felt that it was ok as long as I wasn't hunting. Asking first keeps it above board.

Green Peak is a 2717’ summit that is west of Bellfountain, OR.  It looked inviting on the topo maps, so I traced out a route and headed out (coming from my failed activation of 3060 that same morning).