Activation Reports

This is a pleasant, short hike that is clear of snow early in the spring.  The approach is on a dirt road that while suitable for most cars, may be impassible when snowy or muddy.

This was a joint SOTA Activation along with my SOTA Buddy: Tim, KG7EJT.  Hicks Butte, which had only been Activated once before, is a somewhat obscure SOTA summit located about 6.5 KM SW of exit 78 off I-90, between the towns of Easton and Cle Elum in Central Washington.  Hicks Butte is a 6 point SOTA Summit, and is 5,518 feet or 1,682 meters high.  Fine weather, great companionship, good views and a successful SOTA Activation yielded a great outing!

A nice drive-up summit - so long as you have a high clearance vehicle. Head north of Yakima on I-82. Use exit 26 and take Highway 821 2.6 miles to Selah Creek Drive. (Near 46.711, -120.466.)

Wind up the 3.6 miles of nice gravel that eventually turns into a pretty rough road to the summit at 3025 feet. The road is not suitable for a passenger car. Be sure and close the gate that you'll pass through. 

3 X 3 X 3 X 3 X 3 = Three Activations in three days with three, 3X3 (weak signal) contacts, amongst about 50 contacts overall.  During an early Spring vacation in the Bend, Oregon area, we enjoyed all that Central Oregon is famous for!  Good spring skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, SOTA Activations, and a sampling of several of the more than 80 breweries that exist in the greater Bend area.  This report, number 3 of 3, deals with the Activation of Lava Butte, 5,020 feet, 1,530 meters." src="file:///C:/Users/Mark/A

3 X 3 X 3 X 3 X 3 = Three Activations in three days with three, 3X3 (weak signal) contacts, amongst about 50 contacts overall.  During an early Spring vacation in the Bend, Oregon area, we enjoyed all that Central Oregon is famous for!  Good spring skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, SOTA Activations, and a sampling of several of the more than 80 breweries that exist in the greater Bend area.  This report, number 2 of 3, deals with the Activation of Tumalo Mountain, 7,775 feet, 2,370 meters.

3 X 3 X 3 X 3 X 3 = Three Activations in three days with three, 3X3 (weak signal) contacts, amongst about 50 contacts overall.  During an early Spring vacation in the Bend, Oregon area, we enjoyed all that Central Oregon is famous for!  Good spring skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, SOTA Activations, and a sampling of several of the more than 80 breweries that exist in the greater Bend area.  This report, number 1 of 3, deals with the Activation of Mount Bachelor, 9,065 feet, 2,763 meters.

Peak 5180 (one of four with the same name in Idaho) appeared to be a relatively accessible summit off Blacks Creek Rd, SE of Boise Idaho.  After some discussions with a co-worker (AKA Erik the Mountain Goat) I learned that there was a developing trail around the base of Peak 5180.  It's a 16 mile adventurous Mtn bike trail.  Erik had also hiked this peak during the winter using a drirect route up the ridge (see links below).  After a study of Google earth, I decided to take this trail for a mile or so and then turn up onto one of the ridges leading to the summit.

The access road to the summit of Tygh Ridge north of The Dalles is posted "Private - No Tresspassing."

Tried to access from Columbia Tie Rd off of NE Cedar Creek Rd.  Left on NE Tie Pond Rd but this is private property owned by the Easter Family.  There might be logging road access from the west side?  

Summit is on private property owned by "the Gilliettes of Amboy" according to a neighbor near the locked gate used for access.  This gate is located at the north end of NE 94th where NE Old Rock Quarry Rd begins, according to maps.google.com.  

"Private Property No Trespassing" signs are also on roads from the north side.