I was able to activate Prune Hill this past Friday morning along with Rich KJ7UIP. Google Maps had accurate directions to Dorothy Fox Park which is inside the activation zone. The park was a bit soggy from all the rain but we found a convenient tree to lean a fiberglass mast against w/ a J-pole for 2m.
Got 6 QSO in short order. Thanks again to all our chasers!!!
We then headed up the gorge to activate Beacon Rock (W7W/LC-163).
On a recent Sunday, I drove up CG-2020 from Stephenson to the saddle where 2025 and 2026 split off (around 45.717500° -121.980944°) and parked on the side of the road. From there I walked down the eastern branch of the roads that meet there towards Greenleaf Peak. The other road that goes southeast heads towards the same direction but it seems to go down hill so I chose the other side of the ridge.
This summit was a bit of a challenge with 11 miles round-trip trail and ~2500' elevation change. It took us 4hrs to hike in. (NOTE: no dogs on trails in the MSH National Volcanic Monument.)
This summit is a quick 1/2 mile hike up ~500' elevation gain along what one of the rangers described as "social trails" which is to say there is no maintained trail but folks have bushwacked up to the top. After parking in the Mowich Lake lot (pass required) and walking a short distance, I found a spot by the turn-around (and a no-parking sign) which has a section where one can get up off the road and into the forest. There is a short path that peters out but if you keep going upwards you eventually get to the peak. I availed myself of the SOTA Goat app to keep me pointed
The trail is a relatively easy 7 mile hike round-trip with elevation gain of ~900'
There is an excellent view from the summit of Tolmie Peak towards Mt. Rainier on a clear day.
It can get super busy on weekends with folks dragging their picnic baskets up to the top, especially around the firewatch tower.
As of August 2021, access on FR-2505 is closed by the landowner due to extreme fire danger.
NOTE: as of Aug 2022, this has been reopened. See my updated report .
Well, we made it back alive. Bennett Pass Rd/NF-3550 is a single lane (which serves both directions) dirt track.
We had spent the night at Rock Creek CG and thus driving up NF-4860 to the turn at the intersection with NF-3550. There are, however, only 1 or 2 places to turn around after that. We had to digg (a 4-letter word) through 2 snow banks to gain passage and only saw one other vehicle (a Jeep) on the route. High clearance 4x4 vehicle required on NF-3550.
Today I dragged my Dad, my kids and their cousins up to Gracie Point summit.
I had read about the southern approach, from James WA7JNJ, which was listed as 5 or so miles one way and a rather steep hike. I figured that was a bit much for my crew so we went around back to the northern approach. Starting on N Wenas Rd turning north onto Sheep Company Road.
NOTE: A Washington DNR Discovery Pass is required. These can be ordered online the same day, if you forgot yours.