Summary - 3566 (Mount Diode) is one of three peaks (LC-100, LC-091, LC-068) in the Northeast corner of Weyerhauser-owned land. It is roughly two and a half hours from Portland, much of it over logging roads that get rougher as you go higher. The summit is clear cut and covered with stumps and the best operating position is along the road. Don't count on two meters to make your four QSOs. Cell phone service is marginal, and APRS pings get picked up. There are good views of the surrounding hills.
A Weyerhauser recreational permit (which includes a key for the gates) is required for access. The company is actively logging in the area and their trucks and equipment *always* have the right-of-way. This can mean a long, scary reverse on one lane roads with few turnouts and significant exposure. Weekends are quiet and the best time for a visit. Given the confusing welter of logging roads, the company-maintained map is a must.
Long Version - Mount Diode is in a remote northeast corner of the Weyerhauser Longview parcel. The drive from SE Portland is two and a half hours, with much of it over logging roads which get rougher as you close on the summit. There are two other hills nearby -- Mount Binary and Big Bull -- that make for a relatively easy three hill day. The summit drive ends on a level, open, clear cut summit covered with slash piles. I set up in a small flat area along the road rather than negotiate all the stumps.
Getting a wire in the air requires a mast. I set up an end fed random wire as a sloper, connected it to the KX2 and got to it. The two meter band was very quiet and cell service pretty spotty but APRS pings were frequent. Band conditions were good and over forty-five minutes I made two dozen CW contacts on 40, 30, 20, and 17 meters. As I had two more hills to climb, I called it a day, packed my gear and headed back the way I came. Next stop: 3860 Mount Binary.