17.6 miles; + 5,900 feet; -1,900 feet; From the TH near Gibson Dam
Blogs
Aschoff Buttes, OR | November 2021
Aschoff Buttes is located within the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public by federal law. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter. The BRWMU is patrolled by Portland Water Bureau security personnel. Electronic surveillance is used to keep an eye on things.
The City of Portland offers guided tours June through October. Unfortunately, none of the tours include any of the SOTA summits.
Bear Mountain, WA | Nov 2021
Bear Mountain is an easy hike with a reasonable approach. The hike is about a 4 mile round trip with around 800 feet of elevation gain.
Hickman Butte, OR | November 2021
Hickman Butte is located within the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public by federal law. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter. The BRWMU is patrolled by Portland Water Bureau security personnel. Electronic surveillance is used to keep an eye on things.
The City of Portland offers guided tours June through October. Unfortunately, none of the tours include any of the SOTA summits.
Grayback Mtn, WA | No Longer Accessible
Despite many past descriptions on the Internet of access to the summit of Grayback Mountain on foot or by bike, as of Spring 2021 private property rights are being enforced and the route is posted "No Trespassing" in multiple places.
Wildcat Mountain, OR | Oct 2021
This Wildcat Mountain is the one south of Mt. Hood and is just an hour east of Portland, reachable on a paved road. The 2 mile (OW) trail is pleasant with a bit over 1000 feet of gain. In a few places along the trail there is some nice scenery but the summit itself is surrounded by trees and thus has no views.
Lookout Point, OR | October 2021
Lookout Point is located on the western edge of the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter any road access location.
Peak 2730, "Gold Creek Peak", OR |Oct 2021
Peak 2730, NC-077, is an unnamed peak in the coast range. It is on Stimson land and so is accessible in accordance with their recreational use policies. I’m calling it Gold Creek Peak, because it is the high point between Gold Creek and North Gold Creek. It is also called that on Peak Bagger. It is located between SOTA summits: Gold Peak, NC-020, and Edwards Butte, NC-007.
Hiyu Mountain, OR | June 2019
Hiyu Mountain is located within the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (BRWMU) and is restricted to the general public by federal law. Locked gates are at all road entry locations. Authorized access is required to enter. The BRWMU is patrolled by Portland Water Bureau security personnel. Electronic surveillance is used to keep an eye on things.
Tekoa Mountain, WA | October 2021
Beautiful hike on a pristine fall day. This summit is challenging in that there is no established trail. I parked on Irving Road to the north of the summit. From there you can continue up through the forrested section, keeping the plowed field on your right. A series of several grown over roads lead you toward the top. Total ascent was 1500', zigzagging my way through the trees on several well worn game trails. Once on top of the ridge, look for a jeep trail heading NE toward the relay tower. Eventually you'll encounter a nice gravel road which will take you to the summit.