Activation Reports

Oreana Ridge is a picturesque summit with scattered trees, grass/forb land, an old US Forest Service L-4 Lookout and a log garage.  There are fine views of high peaks in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the steep slopes of Salmon River breaks.   The lookout built in 1934 has been abandoned and is in very poor shape.  Though the stairs look inviting, the decking is rotten and hazardous to walk on. Trees are available to string wire antennas. 

Tincup Hill summit is a large flat area covered by a regenerated old clearcut of 15-30’ tall lodgepole pine.  There are also some mining exploration shallow-trenches cut into the summit area and access ridge.  The hike is through easy terrain lacking in downfall or high brush. Trees are available to attach wire antennas. 

Looking at maps, I took off for a morning hike to Wilcox Peak figuring there would be a gate part way down the hill. Surprisingly you can drive pretty much just into the AZ. The road finishes at a turnaround/shooting area, unfortunately with a lot of trash. Wish I took some large bags with me, putting it on my list as trash really bothers me in the woods!

I did Chinquapin in June and Dec, both in the snow as there was a freak storm in June when I went up. Both times I have gone, I have come from N. Chinquapin Mountain Rd off of E Hyatt Lake Rd. Some maps say W. Chinquapin but monument  sign says North. Not sure if there is access the other side? The first time I did it after activating Greens Springs Mtn., 2nd time I did it after doing Table Mountain. A lot of SOTA up in this country! Everytime we go up in this area we stop for some lunch at Hyatt Lake Resort too. Nice place to take a break and spectacular views.

UPDATE: See uploaded track "better track" on sotamaps for best route I have found so far. 

I had planned a vacation with my son in Gilbert, Arizona the first week of November 2020 and asked if he could find a few  SOTA summits we could activate together. I also flew my daughter in from out-of-state to join us.  This is how it actually turned out:

Tuesday, November 3rd - Pinal Peak (W7A/AW-009) gravel road drive-up:  8 Contacts

Wednesday, November 4th - Christopher Mountain (W7A/AW-024) very rough access road & .5 mile hike: 13 Contacts

During a 12-day, Self-Guided tour through the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy, I had the opportunity to activate a few mountains that “happened” to be right along our route.  I was with my XYL, Sharon, and 2 other couples, so my opportunities were somewhat limited by time and patience (or lack thereof) of my travelling companions.  None the less, I managed 4 Activations.  This report deals with the Activation of Monte Pic, I/AA-181.  This easy to ascend peak is 7,753 Feet / 2,363 Meters in elevation.  The reason I rep

Summit 4420 is located in the Crooked River National Grassland (Ochoco NF) and has good seasonal public access.  I completed its first activation in late November 2020.  Great views from the summit looking south over the Smith Rock State Park and west along the central cascade range.

Notes from my activation…

11.3-miles, +3,828 ft; -574 ft; From N. Fork Trailhead

I activated this as the first summit on a multi-day backpacking trip.  We camped at Canyon Lake and climbed from there.  There is also camping at Lake Otatsy and Camp Pass.  The entire route, including the Lake Otatsy area was burned in the 2017 Rice Ridge fire, so care should be taken in selecting a camp to minimize the danger from standing dead trees.  Most of the area around Canyon Lake is not burnt.

Sedgwick PK is located 9 miles South of Lava Hot Springs.  One on the few drive up summits in Eastern Idaho.