K7NIT's blog

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Big Butte | August 2014

Summit: 
W7W/LC-106

Big Butte is a near drive-up (in an SUV - the higher clearance is necessary) in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that you could do in a passenger car with a bit more hiking (less than 2 miles each way on a road). From Portland, take I-84 to Cascade Locks and cross the river on the Bridge of the Gods (toll). Or take Washington 14 out from Vancouver past the Bridge of the Gods, through Stevenson and continue east on 14 to turn north towards Carson about four miles past Stevenson. After 12.3 miles on this Wind River Highway you will turn right onto NF-3080 or Hollis Creek Road (paved).

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Wampus Butte | March 2014

Summit: 
W7O/CM-095

Wampus Butte is another easily accessible summit near La Pine. Below is a map of the route we wished we had taken as it would have been much more direct (from Hwy 97, west on Burgess Rd to NF-44/E. Deschutes Rd and follow it to NF-600. It is about 1.5 miles on this road to the left turn up to the summit). This was a nice snowshoe in March but would probably be mostly almost a drive-up in summer. It was cloudy when we were up there but I think there would be a nice view on a clear day.

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Pringle Butte, OR | March 2014

Summit: 
W7O/CM-094

Pringle would probably be a drive-up or near drive-up in the summer but I am not sure whether the roads would be suitable for a passenger car or not as they were covered with snow, thus making it a snowshoe for us. According to the map there are at least 3 access points.

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5194 - Wallowa Co, OR | November 2013

Summit: 
W7O/NE-237

5194 is very close to the two Findley Buttes and it would be very easy to activate all three on the same day (but see K7ATN's entry for Findley Buttes West as access is a bit ambiguous).

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5500, Northeast OR | November 2013

Summit: 
W7O/NE-229

If you find yourself near out of the way northeast Oregon, you might consider driving the scenic Tollgate Road between Weston and Elgin, and then activating Peak 5500 near the top of the pass. 

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4940 - Wallowa Co, OR | November 2013

Summit: 
W7O/NE-240

Peak 4940 deserves a better name - but for the time being it's a very easy to reach SOTA summit - if you are already in Wallowa County in the very northeast corner of Oregon.

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South Saddle Mtn, OR | July 2013

Summit: 
W7O/NC-002

There is a maze of roads in the Tillamook State Forest - a good map, a GPS, and keen sense of direction will help you navigate your way to South Saddle Mountain (not to be confused with the other coast range Saddle Mountain, NC-004). It may not be the most scenic summit, but the clearcuts do provide some great views of the north Willamette Valley.