Rock Butte is a short bushwhack with no views or other redeeming qualities in the Activation Zone. It's just past Timothy Lake east of Mount Hood.
Blogs
W7O/SC-184 October 2016
UPDATE De 2019 - Posted No Trespassing.
A Fairly easy peak off US-101 south of Gold Beach, Oregon. Take Carpenterville Road about 10 miles to Powerline Road, which is blocked by a blue gate off to your right. Park across Carpenterville Road and walk about 1 mile to the summit. Avoid EMI-causing hilltop communications site.
Good coverages on 20 and 40 meters, though some RFI was evident on 40M.
Peak 7384, ID | September 2016
Peak 7384 is the next SOTA Peak to the north of Granite Mountain W7I/SR-138. It is bushwhacking at its finest with endless deadfall on the main portion of the mountain. Limited views from the summit make this peak not the most enjoyable, but it is SOTA nonetheless and that is always good!
Peak 7420, ID | August 2016
This peak is about 12 miles NW of McCall Idaho. There is no trail to the summit, but it is an easy bushwhack. To get to the "trailhead" take Hwy 55 north out of McCall and take the Brundage Ski area turn off a few miles north of town. Follow this road to the Brundage Ski area, but instead of turning into the ski area parking lot remain on Goose Lake Rd.
NS7P activation of Sardine Butte, W7O/CM-090, on 9 October 2016
This 5214’ (4 point) summit is a fairly easy, short hike after a fairly long drive in.
Gem Peak, MT | Sept, 2016
Gem Peak is a drive-up with a fire lookout at the top that is available to rent. This is an L-4 type lookout on top of a 30-foot tower that was constructed in 1964. The road up is suitable for most vehicles, so long as they have a bit of clearance. The road is gated just below the summit & it is likely that the lookout is being used if the gate is closed.
Haystack Mountain, MT | Oct., 2016
(2.8 miles, +2,200 feet)
Haystack Mountain is a nice hike up a well-maintained trail. The summit is a large rockpile that has the scattered remains of an old fire lookout (“L-4” type lookout constructed in 1936 & destroyed on 1977). Although there is room to setup on the summit rockpile, there is a more comfortable flat area about 20-feet below the summit that is well within the activation zone. The trail may be accessed as follows:
Wards Butte, OR | October 2016
Wards Butte is near Cottage Grove, Oregon and can be accessed from the south by I-5 exit 170 and from the north by exit 174. (Not to be confused with Ward Butte-W7O/CC-082.)
Mount Pisgah, OR | October 2016
Mount Pisgah is a 'near' urban summit just east of Eugene. It is known as Mount Pisgah Arboretum and as the Howard Burford Recreation Area. It's a short 1.5 miles, but steep with 1050 feet of elevation gain from the parking lot to the summit. It features some of the last remaining oak savanna that once dominated the Willamette Valley and the summit has good views.
Round Butte, OR | December 2015
Here's a pleasant and easy pavement drive-up activation just east of Madras in Central Oregon. You might consider it as you travel between Bend and Portland sometime. There are nice views from the top, good parking, and trees and sagebrush to support most antennas.