I echo AK5SD's comments. Don't go thru the gate but park in nearby areas at the gate. This road is frequented by fire crews and other Rangers who may be only visiting the lookout for a few minutes. Don't get caught behind a locked gate! And the lookout road is mostly a one-way which would create problems if you met traffic. It's only about a mile hike (750 ft elev gain) from the gate to the lookout.
This is a very easy drive up 6 pointer. On highway 97 go 3 miles north of Chemult and turn right at the Walker Mt LO turn-off (fr94). After a couple miles turn left onto fr9402. There is a sign with nothing on it nailed to a tree at the turn-off. This road will take you all the way to the lookout. It is dusty and bumpy, but most 4x4 suv's should make it no problem. I had to walk around at the summit to get in the required yardage but that was easy as there is alot to explore and views to see. Lots of antenna support at the top and not many bugs for this time of the year.
This was my second activation of Sunset Mountain. The first activation was with K7ZO when we did a triple with 2 other summits to the NW. See that trip report here: Sunset Mountain 2015. This activation was a double with the unactivated Peak 7460. See the full trip report here: Peak 7460
Chelan Crest SOTA Outing July 23-25, 2016 – Part 2. See separate report on PNWSOTA website with background on outing and day 1 description. The total trip was approximately 25 miles RT, with approximately 7,000 feet elevation gain, including ups and downs in between the various peaks. This is report 2 of 4, Graham Mountain.
This was my second activation of Mores Mountain. This Mountain makes for a nice double with Shafer Butte. See our (w/K7ZO) previous trip report for more information. Parking at the forest service picnic ground at the saddle between the two summits makes a nice base camp for restocking or having lunch before/after the activations. Note there is a $5 per car self-pay to drive into the picnic area. Picnic tables and pit toilets along with the central location
During my first activation of Sunset Mountain (2015), I spied Peak 7460 down the Hungarian Ridge trail leading from the summit of Sunset Peak. An out and back activation was realized in 2016. It didn't see like it was going to be a big deal hiking down from Sunset peak and then back up to Peak 7460, but it turned out to be quite the effort! 6.2 miles round trip and 2410ft of climbing.
Lone Pine Butte is on Yakama Nation land and it is off limits to the public for any purpose except by permit from the Yakama Tribal Council.
Simcoe Butte is on Yakama Nation land and it is off limits to the public for any purpose except by permit from the Yakama Tribal Council.
This was my second activation of Granite Mountain which is NW of McCall Idaho. Although strenuous due to a consistently steep grade, the views from the summit are spectacular. Granite Mountain has a twin summit. The trail will take you to the south summit with the fire lookout tower. This is not the SOTA summit, but is well worth a few extra steps to get the view off the south side. After a quick visit to the fire lookout, turn back to the north and you will see the slightly higher SOTA summit a short distance away.
Made a couple of contacts. Not sure if Plummer Peak has a sota identifier. Will return to the range later in the season and likely activate other peaks such as Unicorn.