Blogs

K7VK's picture

Summit 7845, Montana | 7 July 2025

Summit: 
W7M/BE-167

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. 

K7VK's picture

Shook Mountain, Montana | 17 June 2025

Summit: 
W7M/RC-115

Shook Mountain is the apex on the north end of a small rib of mountains lying between the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River, and the Idaho/Montana border to the south.  Having good views of both those valleys there are also fine views of rugged peaks in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

K7VK's picture

White Mountain, Montana | 23 July 2025

Summit: 
W7M/LO-059

White Mountain, a US Forest Service Lookout since 1934, had been updated to an L4 Lookout cabin on a 41’ wooden tower in 1954.  It is on the National Register of Historic Lookouts. It has good views of the southern Bitterroot Mountains, the Great Burn Wilderness Study Area, the Idaho/Montana border and the Lolo National Forest.

KR7Q's picture

Sliderock Mountain - August 2021

Summit: 
W7M/GA-093

Directions to Slide Rock Mountain W7M/GA-093:

From Missoula, MT 24.6 miles on I-90 East to Exit 126 (about 17 Miles)

K7VK's picture

Summit 6885, Montana | 24 July 2025

Summit: 
W7M/LO-045

This summit is slightly prominent over the old Ninemile Lookout Site. A sign on the summit points to this old lookout site approximately 0.25 miles east. Elevation difference is 28’. All that remains of the lookout are four large concrete support blocks, burned wood and rusting hardware scattered on the ground. Slow growing subalpine fir tower to over 40’ on the site.

K7VK's picture

Stevens Peak, Montana | 28 August 2024

Summit: 
W7M/LO-118

Stevens Peak is a forested summit overlooking Noxon Reservoir on the Clark Fork River. Much of the summit hike is along good loop Stevens Ridge Trail #1083. The summit is south of the small community of Noxon, Montana and the Noxon dam.

K7VK's picture

Summit 5481, Montana | 1 December 2021

Summit: 
W7M/LM-159

This nondescript summit is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding ridges and summits.  It does have a rocky forested summit traversed by an old logging skid trail.  It also lies at the head of interestingly named creek, Dirty Ike.

K7AGL's picture

Woodpecker Hill, OR | Dec 2025

Summit: 
W7O/CN-037

Dec 2025 Update: Access road to the Woodpecker Trailhead is now open. This road passes right past Forest Road 035 which is the turnoff described in the original trip report (http://www.pnwsota.org/node/681). Road 035 has been cleared of all large deadfall, but does narrow in places so suggest you walk this if you don't want paint scratches on the vehicle.

K7AGL's picture

Timber Butte, OR | Dec 2025

Summit: 
W7O/CN-030

Dec 2025 Update: This area has been radically transformed by massive forest fires. Access roads to Timber Butte are now open after years of being closed (image below).  The burned trees near roads have been logged to keep them clear. The summit and all of Forest Road 812 is completely burned.  Summit views posted to SOTA Atlas.

K7VK's picture

Engle Peak, Montana | 29 September 2024

Summit: 
W7M/LO-012

Engle Peak has spectacular views of the southern Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area. Peak access is over good roads and a lightly used trail.