Good Views From Summit

This was a fun drive and activation.  There had been rain recently and Coal Bank Road was peppered with water hazards and rocky runoff portions.  Though easily passable in a high clearance 4wd, it was NOT Prius friendly. The summit was large and flat with a few trees scattered around for attaching antenna masts. I set up my QTH near the actual summit, but it turned out to be an awful location for spotting.  I had to get up and walk north about 100 yards each time I changed frequencies.

FAIL - Not Recommended: Unless you happen to be traveling along Highway 46, I would not plan on activating this summit.

Herschberger is a lovely little lookout that you can drive nearly to the top, all but the final stairs and a little trail. The LO is basically right in the AZ so I operated sitting in the doorway (no chairs) for shade. There is zero data at the lookout but if you step out you might get lucky. Great view of CL Rim, Thielson, Rabbit Ears and many other ridges. The lookout was open and not manned. Not sure if this is common.

Weaver would possibly be a bit easier with some trail maintenance but the real challenge is the last ascent. Basically all of the 1000' gain is in the last half mile out of about 2 miles OW. Park at the trailhead for Rogue/Umpqua Divide Trail 43.04046, -122.45929. You will hike around the westside of Jackass Mountain then start hiking around the eastside of another peak between Jackass and Weaver. This is where it gets tricky. I continued down trail and then went off trail to summit and it was pretty difficult.

In my continuing series on easier/shorter approaches to summits, I found a back-side social trail to Barlow Ridge summit.

Originally I was just going to bushwack it (0.6 mile and 400' elevation gain) but upon arrival I discovered this path.

On September 5th, I went up Stormy Mountain for its first activation since 2019. The previous trip report was useful, and I followed the same driving route. This is also the route recommended by the forest service. Google Maps tried to send me by a different route. It might have been fine, but I decided it was more prudent to stick with the human-curated recommendations.

Graham Peak had been activated twice before, but a report has not been posted. The peak overlooks The City of Rocks National Preserve with stunning views of the incredible rock formations.  If you visit the Preserve and don’t summit this peak you’ll really miss out!  Though the pictures don't show it, the views were still great even with the wildfire smoke. The access roads are Prius friendly, except for the last ¾ mile which is an easy hike to the summit.  There is a small radio tower (looks to be a VHF “J” pole).

Davis Mtn could be activated with Purcell, W7W/PL-057, via the same access Davis Creek Road.  Davis Creek Road goes north from SR12, a few miles east of Randle. Davis Creek Road becomes NF63 which is easily driveable by street vehicles, i.e. "priusable" for about 8 miles.  Turn right at 46.58361, -121.81340 onto a high-clearance, at least an AWD, heavily rutted road. Drive about 1.1 miles to a "wide spot" for maybe 3 cars of parking at the base of a west-facing huckleberry field.

The Lookout is a "first come, first served" and, therefore, not reservable at recreation.gov.  Consequently, a mid-week visit with an early arrival will generally net you an opportunity to spend the night.  Most folks spend one night, as a courtesy to others.  

Columbia Mountain is easily my favorite hike in the Sherman Pass area. This 3.2 mile climb is not steep, almost always shaded and well maintained. The spring at the junction of trail 24 and the Kettle Crest trail still had a trickle in early September. There is a cabin at the top and several benches to set up. One of the few activations where I've been able to sit on a bench in the shade. I plan to return and camp at some point. Fun hike.