Activation Reports

The trip report by K7ATN is good but there are no signs anymore. Check out the attached map from Google Earth for guidance. We were not sure what road to take but we eventually figured it out based on K7ATN's report.

I was at the Malheur Field Station, about 31 miles from the turnoff on Lava Beds Rd so I decided to activate this summit. All went well until I discovered that I left my radio at the Field Station.

The one steep area mentioned in the trip roport is quite steep for anything but a 4-wheel drive vehicle. I didn't make it up until I switch to 4WD.

Follow other blog entries for accurate directions to the access road.  The first gate at FS60 road is gone, at least destroyed.  A second gate about a mile in was also open but might  be locked later in the season.

Normally, from FS60, this is a 3.3 mi/ 1600 ft elev gain hike but I was able to drive to with 1/2 mi of the summit where I hit snow drifts covering the road. I would expect these to melt out over the next 3-4 weeks or so, making the summit potentially a drive-up where parking would be available.  

FS6801 Rd is not obscure to find and clear of windfall until about 1 mi. in.  Directions to FS6801 are available by other blog entries.  Going east on FS60, if you get to the PCT, you've gone too far.  

What will become a theme with these summits in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness, is that there isn't really a trail to the top.  I elected to get to the top by following the ridge which leads, almost in a crescent shape, to the summit from the Clover creek trailhead.  I feel as far as distance/ease of travel this is the best route.  See the image below.

Compared to nearby Mount Carmine, getting to the trailhead of this one is a breeze.  I parked at the Varney Creek trailhead off of Highway 140.  The road is well signed and in good shape with plenty of parking.  This summit though, at least the way I went, uses absolutely zero official trail.  From the parking lot I headed south along what looked to be an old logging road that has since been overgrown  It didn't take long for that to fade away then you are left with open forest to find your way.  The lower part of this route had been logged previously which mad

Fair warning, this one is  a bit of a tricky one.  This summit doesn't have a trail to the top at all.  You could possibly access it from the Mountain lakes loop trail but it would be a very steep scramble over loose rock, it looked a bit too dicy to me when I did my scouting hike around the loop a few months earlier.  I elected, instead, to use part of the old moss creek trail which was abandonded by the forest service but is still maintained by individuals.  The old moss creek trailhead is located on land owned by green diamond and is only open to vehicle traffic

From memory 2 years late... mainly you need to know the area is gated most of the year, opening around hunting season, I think September to November. This summit was basically a drive up summit, at least to the AZ. Did it the same day as Indian Springs. Below is my driving route so I can find the right path again. I'll take better notes next time but hard to time these summits right with the Green Diamond gates.

de AG7GP

Trying this summary two years later from memory...

Most important thing is that Green Diamond only opens their gates certain times of the year. These roads aren't open off Clover creek rd until about hunting season, I think September. I don't know exactly when they re-close but around November 1.

I can't believe I missed reviewing McDonald in the past. I love McDonald Peak. It is a beautiful stroll from RD 20 on a nice trail, great view, great flora in summer time. It was one peak I spent some time at in 2019 and realized SOTA was where I belonged in radio. Sitting in the flower covered slope enjoying the view. Easy set up among a mix of slopes and boulders.

I just noticed I never did summaries for some of my first summits especially if they had a previous review so with the 2022 campout coming soon I am trying to catch up on some. Mt Ashland is an easy, popular summit. Outstanding 360 view of NCA to CLNP rim to Josephine Co. Cool boulder stacks too. You can drive to the dome on the summit if you wish. Just go a little ways past the Mt Ashland campground and you will see the road on the right with a not so visible sign (it is on a tall post since it is used during deep snow).