Activation Reports

NOTE: Forest Road 9341 is blocked by a rockslide at 46.23071, -121.82871 and there is an additional 3 mi approach to the trailhead on pavement. 

This was summit 2 of a 2 First Activation day. 

This was summit 1 of a 2 First Activation day with Hat Rock W7W/LC-017

This summit is inside a WA Resource Management Area near the Spokane Indian Reservation. I parked along Rail Canyon rd. to access the state land. A gate at the access road marks the beginning of the hike. I used two main dirt roads to get close to the summit and then bushwhacked the last 1,000 ft. Use caution, this area had a forest fire this summer; fallen trees and loose objects make this hike challenging. At the summit I was able to get simplex contacts on 2m with ease. Plenty of trees to use with a throw line for my EFHW setup. No water; moose tracks in the area.

1.2 miles round trip. ~900ft elevation gain. Moderate bushwhack.

Gold Peak is a one point steep bushwhack in the Tillamook State Forest. To get to the trailhead one needs first to get to the Trask River Road out of the town of Tillamook. From Portland there are two cutoffs. One is longer and paved, the other good gravel. Travel times are similar, but the gravel route is shorter.

This summit was a bit of a challenge with 11 miles round-trip trail and ~2500' elevation change.  It took us 4hrs to hike in. (NOTE: no dogs on trails in the MSH National Volcanic Monument.)

Summary - Steamboat is an easy (if longish) drive from Portland, reached by a short climb along a lovely trail, and has terrific views of all your favorite volcanoes. There are trees for antennas and plenty of places along the ridge to sit and enjoy the view. VHF is relatively easy when using a decent antenna. Steamboat can be done in combination with West Twin Butte and Squaw Butte but you may want to plan to spend a long day here. What more could you ask for a six pointer?

Here's the summit from the trailhead:

Summary - This Haystack Butte is easy to get to, if you don't mind the possibility of new pinstripes (and it is not the MC-070 peak). The bushwhack is about a quarter-mile, not steep, and mostly requires negotiating large deadfall. The summit is broad, flat, tree-covered and doesn't have much of a view. VHF contacts are likely to be difficult. APRS digi and ATT digi service works reasonably well. Not really near any other hills (except as the crow flies), it is best planned as a solo hike. 

Haystack Butte sits on a large section of land that is owned by a wind power generation organization and is also home to various communications sites.  It is restricted access behind fences and locked gates (and it is not the LC-081 peak).  It is marked by numerous signs indicating authorized personel only / no trespassing under threat of prosecution, etc.  I work for a company which has a communications site in the activation zone of Haystack Butte and was able to gain permission to operate there during a trip to service the communications site.

Peak 1650 is the highest point in the Drift Creek Wilderness area, a special area that preserves some of the oldest trees on the Oregon Coast and a nearly pristine ecosystem along the creek.  To get to 1650, set your GPS to the Horse Creek North Trailhead at 44.4411, -123.9091.  There are multiple paths through the paved and well-maintained gravel roads eventually getting you to the trailhead where you’ll find spots for five or six cars.  Along the road you’ll get glimpses at the backside of Marys Peak (W7O/CC-001) and the nearby Table Mountain (W7O/CC-016).  Enjoy them

Lilly has been on my list for a while as Matt, KC7OOY, mentioned it was a beautiful mountain. I am so glad I finally made it. As with many summits in the area, what you see on a map isn't always the truth when it comes to roads so I didn't go the way I had planned but it was a beautiful hike with great window views of Scraggy Mountain, White Mountain and others around the Red Buttes Wilderness through the timber. Along the trek are some very fascinating rocks. Lots of quartz that looks like lumps of snow from a distance and shiney silver mica like stone.