Easy Trail

Frazier Point Lookout is a decommissioned lookout off of US-395 between Burns and John Day.It is a drive into the activation zone with a passenger car summit. The final push to the tower is a bit steep and rocky, but it’s not necessary to drive there.

Google maps provides accurate directions. Basically, off of US-395 turn East onto paved forest road NF-17. Follow it to NF-295 which becomes NF_1630. Then take NF-849 to the top. There are signs and everything!

Jumpoff Joe is a short bushwhack in the Malheur National Forest off of US-395 between Burns and John Day. Start of the hike is decommissioned forest road 1601-084 located at 44.07619, -118.81145.

I will not tell you how to get there because there has to be a better way. We were on FR 902 and FR 879 coming from the south. Those roads had bad water damage and were at the verge of navigability. We eventually hit road 3930 which was good gravel. Try to come in on that road.

Calamity Butte is an active Lookout in the Malheur Forest. It has two lookout buildings, an historic one on the ground and a newer one on a tower. It is located off of US-395 between John Day and Burns.

To get there drive 395 to 43.9282, -118.9323 and turn west onto forest road 2840, AKA Calamity Lookout Road. Turn North on to FR-28 then immediately left onto 2860. The road is rough from here. We did it with 8” of clearance and AWD. The track is available on sotl.as.

King Mountain is a drive up off of US-395 between John Day and Burns.

To get there turn east off of 395 at 43.7862, -118.8654 onto good gravel road 2820.

Stay on this road until the turn up to king at 43.7872, -118.8655.

It is now approximately 2.5 miles and 700 feet of gain to the top. We were able to drive all of it in our Rav4. Plenty of parking opportunities so you can drive as far as you and your vehicle are comfortable.

Twin Lakes Mountain is a 4-point summit located in the Umpqua National Forest. It can be reached from Hwy. 138, approximately 58 miles east of Roseburg, OR. From there, 9 miles of forest road yields a 2.6 mile hike (each way) on well maintained trail, with views of Diamond Peak, Twin Lakes and other local features. This would be a good stop on the way to Diamond Lake and environs. This summit is close to Illahee Rock, which is on the north side of 138.

Here is one of eight Lookout Mountains in Oregon (10 if you count Big Lookout Mountain and Little Lookout Mountain). This is a short hike of one mile RT with 600 feet of elevation gain. The trail is mostly good, but a bit overgrown in places. The drive is easy and can be accomplished with moderate clearance. You can get to within a mile of the summit with most other vehicles. Here are the directions:

Find the North Umpqua Highway (AKA OR-138) and travel to Panther Creek Road (AKA NF-4741) near Apple Creek Campground, 43.3060, -122.6772 .

This summit had only been activated one time, 10 years ago, so I was not sure about how well this activation would go. Short version: one of the best SOTA activation experiences out there. Worth the drive east of the Crater Lake area. Put it on your list!

4.4 Miles; +2,056 ft; -235 ft; On-Trail

Description

This is a pleasant on-trail hike with a gentle grade.  The final mile of the ascent is extremely scenic.  There is plenty of room for antennas within the activation zone.

Getting there: The road to the top is decent gravel and readily passable in a Subaru. There are some sections of big ruts and large loose rocks, so I'm not sure I'd want to attempt this with low clearance or only 2 wheel drive. It's a drive-up with good clearance and/or bravery, but otherwise it's a 1/3 mile walk up the rest of the road to the top from the obvious camping area.  

There is no bushwhacking required.

There are plenty of trees to hang a wire from. 

There is plenty of room for a 67 foot wire. 

This is the Elk Mountain east of Gray's River, WA, just off WA Highway 4.

Turn off is exactly at mile marker 22 on WA 4; turn south onto a broken asphalt road and in about 1/4 mile you come to the Hancock Forest Management gate.  There is nothing prohibiting non-vehicular entry--just no camping and no campfires. Plenty of parking near the gate.