Welcome to the updated pnwsota.org!
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The pnwSOTA website was created to facilitate communication between SOTA operators in the Pacific Northwest region, as well as show off some of the activities of the top-notch folks we have in the area. On this site you will find information about getting started in SOTA as well as details about summits and activations contributed by people that are operating here.
DJ (WW7D) and I (WU7H) saved this one for our 2025/2026 UTC rollover activation. We have done Keechelus in the winter before and it is usually a very reliable winter summit -- there is a groomed snowmobile trail that gets you close enough to the summit to snowshoe up. We attempted to do this as a UTC rollover back in 2019 but it was raining heavily (even at 5000') and we were so wet, cold, and miserable we bailed before the UTC rollover. This year we got lucky - it was a bluebird day!
This is an easy drive up summit with beautuful views of the Bitterroot Valley seen on part of the road accessing the summit.
Direction to WM/GA-114:
From Missoula, MT take US-93 South Approximately 20 Miles to Florence.
Turn East on Eastside Highway SR-203 for 7 miles to Ambrose Creek road.
Turn East on Ambrose Creek Road for 5.4 miles to FS 428. Take FS428 7.8 miles to Ambrose Saddle.
At Ambrose Saddle take FS1339 SE approximately 6 miles to the intersection of 1339 A and 1339B
Summit #7845 is a good hike through the 2021 Trail Creek wildland fire. The trail signed Ruby-May Creek #3102 was in great shape and being cleared by a Montana Conservation Corps crew during the activation. There are some good views of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness summits along the trail.
Caution: this trail and the summit have elevated snag hazard due to recent wildland fires.