Activation Reports

Chumstick Mountain (W7W/CH-196) is a drive-up summit that can easily be reached out of the Leavenworth area. A high clearance vehicle should be used, particularly for the alternative route described below. 

The summit is on the Entiat Ridge that also includes Sugarloaf Peak (W7W/CH-195), 5221 Twin Lead Mtn (W7W/CH-206), and 5774 Entiat Ridge Peak (W7W/CH-197).  All four summits can be done in one long day.  Two of the three summits (Sugarloaf and Chumstick) are drive-ups, Twin Lead is a drive-up or short hike, and Entiat Ridge Peak is a short hike.  

DISCLAIMER: This summit should not be attempted without knowledge of rope systems, crevasse rescue and snow travel. It is a serious climb that should not be taken lightly.

Little Tahoma Peak is a sister summit of Mt Rainier. At 11,138' it is the 3rd tallest peak in Washington State. It is far less popular than Rainier due to the fact that the final few hundred feet is some of the loosest rock in the state.

5221 Twin Lead Mtn is a near drive-up summit on the Entiat Ridge near Leavenworth, WA, that also includes Sugarloaf Peak (W7W/CH-195), Chumstick Mountain (W7W/CH-196), and 5774 Entiat Ridge Peak (W7W/CH-197).  All four summits can be done in one long day.  Two of the three summits (Sugarloaf and Chumstick) are drive-ups, Twin Lead is either a drive-up or a short hike, and Entiat Ridge Peak is a short hike.  

Sugarloaf Peak is a drive-up or near drive-up to a fire lookout that is staffed in the summer.   This is an easy summit in the Leavenworth area that can be done with any medium-to-high clearance vehicle. 

K7ATN provided a good winter access trip report, but there is a very easy trail to the summit of Multorpor mountain that bypasses having to deal with any Ski Bowl access. This activation would be good for new SOTA activators. It is easy to get to and is an easy summit trail under the shade of a forest canopy on the way up. My hike was under 3 miles and under 800 feet of climbing, you could shorten it by parking closer on the road, see below.

Summary - An hour to the trailhead from SE Portland, followed by a 1.5 mile steady climb along a well-used (by ATVs) forest road, Bob's Mountain is an easy morning activation. There are trees for hanging wires, an open view a bit below the summit (but still in the AZ), and open space to operate. APRS two way worked well, ATT data was okay.  Given the ATV traffic, this hike is better done on a weekday.

Summary - Saturday Rock is easy to get to, about two hours from Portland, has awesome views and a short, sometimes gnarly and steep, bushwhack. Park at 45.85645, -122.17190 and follow the ridge to the summit. The first clear area you encounter on the top isn't it, keep going!  Trees to hang wires, easy 2M QSOs, good APRS connectivity, spotty cell service. National Forest parking pass required.

Coming from Eugene, this trip takes about 30 minutes. After heading east on Hwy 126, get off on the 42nd exit  and take Marcola for around 6.5mi. Shortly after passing the golf course, take a left on Hill St and turn right at the Mohawk General Store onto Donna Road, then left soon thereafter onto McGowan and continue on for a while. While the road is passable in a passenger sedan, as several vehicles in the area demonstrated, there are plenty of potholes further up, so it's best to go slow and keep your eyes peeled for hazards.

I approached from Duffy lake Trailhead. As I did Red Butte on the this trip. http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/kf7sey/2021-july-12/red-butte-or-july-2021. This area requires a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit.