Blogs

K7WXW's picture

South Saddle Mountain, OR | October 2020

Summit: 
W7O/NC-002

TL; DR - There are at least six Saddle Mountains in W7O and W7W, this is the one close to peak 3534. The drive to the parking area is easily done in a 4WD vehicle but is a bit confusing, so have a good map and GPS. From the parking lot to the summit, the walk is easy. I had no RFI issues, good two-way APRS, and a comfortable spot (in the sun) to sit. Below the commercial communications site, you will find trees for wires and a broad view to the east.

N0DNF's picture

Idaho-June 2020/Camelback Mountain

Summit: 
W7I/SI-190

Camelback Mountain is accessible by taking Pocatello Crk Rd (in Pocatello) east until you see Park Rd just East of the KOA campground.  Park Rd connects Pocatello Crk Rd to West Buckskin Rd.  Go East on West Buckskin Rd.  Camelback is a BLM landlocked summit.  The only public access is on W. Buckskin Rd located at 42.86979  -112.35881 There is barely enough room for two cars on the side of the road across from  a private residence. There is a BLM pin but it is hard to find..it is there though ...I found it..

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation: Pine Benchmark - Deschutes County, Oregon - October 22, 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CE-068

Between October 21 and October 30, 2020, we visited the Sunriver / Bend areas of Oregon.  The cold but clear weather allowed us to Activate 8 SOTA summits in 6 outings.  This report is one of a series, and deals with the Activation of Pine Benchmark, W7O/CE-068.  A little earlier in the day, we had Activated Pine Mountain, W7O/CE-058, approximately 1.6 miles SE away, as the crow flies.  This duo makes a fine single day Activation with minimal effort getting from one TH to the other.

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation: Pine Mountain - Deschutes County, Oregon - October 22, 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CE-058

Between October 21 and October 30, 2020, we visited the Sunriver / Bend areas of Oregon.  The cold but clear weather allowed us to Activate 8 SOTA summits in 6 outings.  This report is one of a series, and deals with the Activation of Pine Mountain, W7O/CE-058.  On the same day, a few hours later, we also Activated Pine Benchmark, W7O/CE-068, which lies approximately 1.6 miles NW of Pine Mountain.  That Activation will be subject of separate report.

K7VK's picture

Haystack Mountain - Idaho 19June2020

Summit: 
W7I/IC-200

Haystack Mountain is one of several SOTA summits near the Magruder Corridor.  This road divides some of the most wild-country in Idaho, the Selway Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness areas.   A trail system FS#26, and a non-system hunter trail is near the summit however it is much shorter to just bushwhack from the road through mostly open forest.  Only a short obstacle of downed trees slows the otherwise easy hike.&nbsp

K7VK's picture

Babcock Mountain - Montana 25May2020

Summit: 
W7M/GA-146

An opportunity for a one-day, three summits activation.  A good US Forest Service road system gets one close enough to activate three summits easily in one day, rare in Western Montana.  Babcock Mountain is forested summit.  The other two summits, Golden Mountain (W7M/GA-141) and Burnt Mountain (W7M/GA-145) are open summits and accessible via short hikes from the same US Forest Service road system.  Trees are available for attaching wire ante

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation: Mount Bachelor - Deschutes County, Oregon - October 28, 2020

Summit: 
W7O/CM-005

Between our October 21, 2020 arrival in Sunriver, Oregon, and our October 30 departure, we were fortunate enough to have a spell of mostly cold and dry weather.  This allowed us to Activate 8 SOTA summits in 6 outings.  We also had the opportunity of doing 2 joint Activations with Ron, W6PZA, of Bend, Oregon - which was a lot of fun!  This report is one of a series, and deals with Mount Bachelor, W7O/CM-005.  The mountain is a Strata-Volcano, standing 9,065 feet in elevation.  It is in close proximity to the Three Sisters Wilderness, with its 3 namesake volcanos, all over 10,000 feet elevation.  Also in the vicinity is Broken Top, a collapsed volcano of over 9,000 feet elevation.  This nearby combination of peaks, together with a parade of many other strata volcanos from Washington State into Northern California, gives Mount Bachelor stunning vistas in all directions.

N0DNF's picture

Idaho-Nov 2020/ Chinese Pk

Summit: 
W7I/SI-177

Chinese Peak is one of the few drive-ups in the area during the Spring, Summer and Fall. Take South 5th street in Pocatello Idaho and Turn East at Barton Rd. You will arrive at a large turn around /TH..if the BLM gate is open you can drive all the way to the summit. This gate closes to motorized vehicles from Nov 15th to April 1st due to it is a winter game range. 

There are alot of various towers on the summit. It is a great summit to chase on or to learn SOTA activating. 

N0DNF's picture

IDAHO-OCT 2020/ PEAK 6620

Summit: 
W7I/SI-188

Summit 6620 is located in N Bannock County.  Travel North down Hiline road from Pocatello Id to 2 1/2 mile rd in Tyhee Idaho.  Proceed up 2 1/2 mile road pass the Oregon Trail Gun Club.  You will go literally through a landowners property with his house and outbuildings, drive slow and be respectful. Proceed down the Rd until you see a paneled gate..on the gate it states "OPEN AUGUST 31st TO NOV 16 ".  The admission onto this property is allowed through what is called "Access Yes" by our Fish and Game Dept.

K7VK's picture

Burnt Mountain - Montana 24May2020

Summit: 
W7M/GA-145

One-day, three summits.  A good US Forest Service road system gets one close enough to activate three summits easily in one day, rare in Western Montana.  Burnt Mountain is an open grass/scattered-tree summit.  The other two nearby summits are Golden Mountain (W7M/GA-141) and Babcock Mountain (W7M/GA-146).  Both accessible v