This summit is slightly prominent over the old Ninemile Lookout Site. A sign on the summit points to this old lookout site approximately 0.25 miles east. Elevation difference is 28’. All that remains of the lookout are four large concrete support blocks, burned wood and rusting hardware scattered on the ground. Slow growing subalpine fir tower to over 40’ on the site.
Easy Trail
Stevens Peak, Montana | 28 August 2024
Stevens Peak is a forested summit overlooking Noxon Reservoir on the Clark Fork River. Much of the summit hike is along good loop Stevens Ridge Trail #1083. The summit is south of the small community of Noxon, Montana and the Noxon dam.
Summit 5481, Montana | 1 December 2021
This nondescript summit is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding ridges and summits. It does have a rocky forested summit traversed by an old logging skid trail. It also lies at the head of interestingly named creek, Dirty Ike.
5526, OR | Nov. 2025
5526 is a 4-point summit in the Malheur National Forest, about 15 road miles northeast of Prairie City, OR. It is a very short bushwhack through open forest up to the summit area, which is pretty flat. The roads in the area are quite convoluted but the well worn tracks take you right close to the summit. The summit is semi-open, sparse views and plenty of trees for antennas. Don't expect 2m contacts here and AT&T data service was non-functional, so I relied upon RBN for spotting.
Twin Peaks East | November, 2025
Access is via the Klootchy Creek County Park off of HW26 just 2 miles east of Hwy 101 near Seaside. There's plenty of parking. And a pit toilet.
The summit and access are on Nuveen Natural Capital (private) property, previously Lewis and Clark Timberland. A (free, as of 2025) access permit is required from https://nncpermits.com/ Get the one for NNC_OR_25.
Oak Grove Butte, OR | November 2025
Oak Grove Butte is now a 3 mile RT hike with 750 feet of elevation gain. The rest of the write up here :http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7atn/2016-october-29/oak-grove-butte-or-october-2016, is generally correct, except the passive repeater now has a big brother and the road to that tower is good gravel. However, a gate blocks this road at the final intersection.
Driving Directions:
5060 Full Quieting Mt. Alt. Route, WA | Oct. 2025
I tried an alternate route to 5060 (aka Full Quieting Mt.) in the Gifford Pinchot.
I parked at (46.10557, -121.66125) on NF-2360-071 (aka Eckhart Pass Road).
Proceed South up the ridge, which is mostly open with some deadfall/blowdown for about 0.55 miles. There is a false summit, just continue south.
Cox Benchmark
Cox Benchmark is a Drive up summit near Lakeview OR.
There is a small RF site on top, but we experienced no interference from it.
The last bit of road, approximately one mile and 500 feet of gain, is a bit rough and overgrown in places. We drove it in a Rav4, but you could park near the start of it at 42.39478, -120.36527. This would avoid needing higher clearance and northwest pin stripes.
Frazier Point, OR | Aug 2025
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!
Jump-off Joe Mountain, OR | Aug 2025
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.




