Activation Reports

This was my second activation of Mores Mountain.  This Mountain makes for a nice double with Shafer Butte.  See our (w/K7ZO) previous trip report for more information.  Parking at the forest service picnic ground at the saddle between the two summits makes a nice base camp for restocking or having lunch before/after the activations.  Note there is a $5 per car self-pay to drive into the picnic area.  Picnic tables and pit toilets along with the central location make the $5 well

During my first activation of Sunset Mountain (2015), I spied Peak 7460 down the Hungarian Ridge trail leading from the summit of Sunset Peak.  An out and back activation was realized in 2016.  It didn't see like it was going to be a big deal hiking down from Sunset peak and then back up to Peak 7460, but it turned out to be quite the effort!  6.2 miles round trip and 2410ft of climbing. 

Lone Pine Butte is on Yakama Nation land and it is off limits to the public for any purpose except by permit from the Yakama Tribal Council.

Simcoe Butte is on Yakama Nation land and it is off limits to the public for any purpose except by permit from the Yakama Tribal Council.

This was my second activation of Granite Mountain which is NW of McCall Idaho.  Although strenuous due to a consistently steep grade, the views from the summit are spectacular.  Granite Mountain has a twin summit.  The trail will take you to the south summit with the fire lookout tower.  This is not the SOTA summit, but is well worth a few extra steps to get the view off the south side.  After a quick visit to the fire lookout, turn back to the north and you will see the slightly higher SOTA summit a short distance away.

Made a couple of contacts. Not sure if Plummer Peak has a sota identifier. Will return to the range later in the season and likely activate other peaks such as Unicorn.

Like a 50 mile long sapphire snake, sparkling Lake Chelan dominates north central Washington State as a geological and recreational wonder.  The name Chelan is a Salish Indian word, "Tsi - Laan," meaning 'Deep Water'.   Ringed on both east and west sides by giant mountains leaping skyward steeply, the Lake Chelan Gorge is one of the deepest in the US.  With a water level of 1,100 feet, and Bonanza Peak topping out at 9,511 feet, there is ve

It makes for a very long day (about 17 miles total), but this Wildcat Mountain (WV-046) can also be reached from Huckleberry Mountain via the Plaza Ridge Trail #783 and the Douglas Trail #781. It's also quite beautiful - a stunning ridge hike in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Be sure and check out this other access to Wildcat Mountain.

This pleasant summit requires a nice, moderate hike through a forested area, coming out onto a wildflower filled hillside meadow.  The summit is at the top of the meadow.  There are interpretive signs and a bench that provide a good operating position. The summit is reached after about a mile hike with about 400’ of elevation rise.  There are trees for antenna supports or a mast can be lashed to sign posts, etc.  A view back down the meadow will show the ocean, coast and parts of Florence.

Take highway 101 north out of Florence and turn on to Tenmile Creek Road. Stay on this nice road for a couple miles then  turn left onto NF -5694. This is a good, mostly paved road. After a few miles you will see a hiking sign on the left side of road. Don't turn, stay straight ahead. From here go about a quarter mile and you will see a yellow gate on the left before you make a big left turn. I parked here and hiked about 4/10 mile easily to the summit. If you go passed the trail head to the big fork in the road with FS Road 5000, turn around.