16.2 miles, +4,300 ft; -4,200 From Elk Mountain TH
1.2 miles, +300, - 200 ft ft from Trail 562 Junction
I activated this on the 14th day of a 15-day backpacking from the Elk Mountain Trailhead, via Mink Ridge & Marten Creek with a side-trip up Marten Creek to Marten Hot springs; but the route description is the more direct route across Goat Creek and along the Square Rock & Moose Ridge.
18.5-miles, +4,700 ft; -5,300 From Elk Mountain TH
3.5 miles, +800, - 1,500 ft ft from Trail 562 Junction
I activated this on the 13th day of a 15-day backpacking from the Elk Mountain Trailhead, via Mink Ridge & Marten Creek with a side-trip up Marten Creek to Marten Hot springs; but the route description is the more direct route across Goat Creek and along the Square Rock & Moose Ridge.
10.7-miles, +3,800 ft; -2,900 From Elk Mountain TH
1.2 miles, +1,000 ft from Trail 562 Junction
I activated this on the 12th day of a 15-day backpacking from the Elk Mountain Trailhead, via Mink Ridge & Marten Creek with a side-trip up Marten Creek to Marten Hot springs; but the route description is the more direct route across Goat Creek and along the Square Rock ridge that we took on our way out.
24.2 miles, +7,500 ft; - 6,800 From Elk Mountain TH
5.2 miles, +3,800; -500 ft from Buck Lake Creek
22-miles, +6,200 ft; - 6,500 From Elk Mountain TH
3.0 miles, +2,400 ft from Buck Lake Creek
This summit is the old Horseshoe Lookout Site. It had a primitive platform on a rock pinnacle from 1921-1961. A standard L-4 structure, 1962-1983. Both structures succumbed to wildfires and were not rebuilt. Concrete blocks from the L-4 lookout remain. The access road, USFS #588 is 4 miles off FS #500.
The winter activation is much more challenging than the summer one. In the summer, it is a drive-up until the last quarter-mile walk. In the winter the road is closed 9 miles down at 2000' elevation. So that means and 4000' climb over 8 miles up.
After a bit of a hiatus, K7IAJ and I made a quick trip up highwire this afternoon. We wanted to make a quick trip up something that would be an easy objective. We originally chose Haystack Moutanin, but access was restricted, and the permitting wasn't clear: permits were listed as unavailable on the website/sold out, and they would be sold in April.
3.5-miles, +1160 ft; From Pipestone Pass TH
This is a pleasant hike along the Continental Divide Trail that begins near the summit of Pipestone Pass (paved, and plowed). It is also a POTA “2-Fer” (Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF & CDT) if you activate within 100-feet of the CDT. It is also located on the northern edge of the historic Thompson Park area, which is a unique congressionally designated Municipal Recreation Area that includes much history related to the Milwaukee Road (Railroad).
Another no-name summit with a pretty good view. Takes a decent drive to get up there. Short hike up an old logging road. Some of the area is thick with Oregon grape and brush but there is a clearing that made set up easy. There may be other options further down the road to access too but I didn't explore.