There is a maze of roads in the Tillamook State Forest - a good map, a GPS, and keen sense of direction will help you navigate your way to South Saddle Mountain (not to be confused with the other coast range Saddle Mountain, NC-004). It may not be the most scenic summit, but the clearcuts do provide some great views of the north Willamette Valley.
This is my Blog from my Activation of Blue Mountain W7M/LM-121 on 8/3/2012. Thanks to all the Chasers and Activators that I worked and were patient with me.
This quick activation had 12 contacts with 3 of them being Summit to Summit with WA7JTM, NS7P, and N0PCL.
Thanks again.
Blog: http://kf7pxt.blogspot.com/2013/08/blue-mountain-sota-activation.html
I have included the link to my blog for University Mountain. The kids and I worked to avoid the rain and finally got this summit in and did not end up soaked. Thanks to all the chasers that make this hobby so enjoyable. Both of my kids are studying for their tech and may be able to start activating summits on 2m here soon!
http://kf7pxt.blogspot.com/2013/08/university-mountain-sota-activation.html
Thanks again,
Matt, Peyton, and Lily
KF7PXT
Finally got the round-tuit for my first activation. First Butte had not yet been actiivated and looked pretty easy so off we went. It isn't much of a hike. There is a high clearance forest road that takes you to the summit. Some internet sites report that the Bromas Creek approach is closed due to a washout on NFR 37. The Forest Service has built a detour, NFR 3700-805 that is not on the FS map but connects to 3700-825.
This was a wonderful day for an activation of Scott Mountain. The trailhead is reached by taking the turnoff for Scott Lake Campground off of OR242 a few miles west of the Dee Wright Observatory. Follow the gravel road past all the campsites to the quarry at the end of the road. There are two trails that start from there. Take the Benson Trail 3402 to go most directly to Scott Mountain.
First Activation of Norse Peak, Pierce / King County Line, Washington.
First SOTA Activation of Mount Houghton, Washoe County, Nevada - Ace Number 2.
Little Tahoma is a 11,138 ft summit on the east flank of Mt. Rainier. The route requires crossing the Frying Pan and Whitman glaciers.
On 5 June, 2013 I headed up to Wildcat Mtn. in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness section of Mt. Hood National Forest OR for my first attempt at a SOTA activation. This is a quick and easy trip out of the Portland area, so give it a go!
Douglas Trail #781: route described below starts at Upper Douglas Trailhead
Driving Directions:
Just south of downtown Issaquah is Squak Mountain. It's a Washington State Park and so access is straightforward. From the north trailhead it's 2.3 miles one way on a maze of trails where it's a good idea to check the trail map carefully as there are several junctions on the way to the summit and one unsigned (very short) trail link.