I finally got an activation completed today (Dec 1, 2016). I chose a relatively easy summit that is within 20 minutes of my home, Peak 1094. This peak is in the "back yard" of some rural/suburban houses and is apparently owned by a timber company. I asked for permission to hike from a neighbor. He felt that it was ok as long as I wasn't hunting. Asking first keeps it above board.
Even leaving Bigfoot aside...
...Southern Oregon has a lot to offer. If you'd like to try SOTA from exotic Oregon, there's probably no easier place to do it than Palmer Butte, W7O/SC-185. It's off US-101 south of Brookings, the first major town north of the California border.
Directions:
Take US-101 to around Milepost 357, south of Brookings, OR. Turn East at this Signal:
This summit is not very noteworthy. It's best feaure is being only a few miles from Cummins Peak, allowing an easy two summit activation. You are on a road right of way that is surrounded by forest. No views, but lots of trees to support antennas.
This is a fine hike that many should try at some point - it's 4.4 RT miles and 800 feet of gain for the 'short' version described here, with a summit pinnacle that makes for a fun scramble if you feel the need to get to the tippy top.
Crater Peak is a small 7263’ shield volcanic summit that is located a few miles south of the lake.
Bull of the Woods is a pleasant and popular hike south of Estacada of about 6.5 miles and 1300 feet of gain. There's an unused (but locked) fire lookout at the summit, giving you a chance to be out of the sun (or rain) to activate by standing under the structure.
Here's a near drive-up south of Estacada with a hike as short as a quarter mile and 200 feet of gain.
UPDATE 2021 - Mount Lowe may have been damaged in the September 2020 fires. Check for access.
(2.8 miles, +2,200 feet)
Haystack Mountain is a nice hike up a well-maintained trail. The summit is a large rockpile that has the scattered remains of an old fire lookout (“L-4” type lookout constructed in 1936 & destroyed on 1977). Although there is room to setup on the summit rockpile, there is a more comfortable flat area about 20-feet below the summit that is well within the activation zone. The trail may be accessed as follows:
Mount Pisgah is a 'near' urban summit just east of Eugene. It is known as Mount Pisgah Arboretum and as the Howard Burford Recreation Area. It's a short 1.5 miles, but steep with 1050 feet of elevation gain from the parking lot to the summit. It features some of the last remaining oak savanna that once dominated the Willamette Valley and the summit has good views.