Exposed Summit

Summit is exposed to wind, rain, sun (and good views)
KJ7OKW's picture

Black Pine Ridge, Montana | September 4, 2021

Summit: 
W7M/GA-089

Black Pine Ridge is a drive-to summit on easy Forest Service roads just outside of Phillipsburg, Montana. The last mile of the road is rocky and I advise four wheel drive for the trek. 

Getting there: From Phillipsburg, Montana travel north on highway 1 approximately 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Black Pine Road and go 2.9 miles. Take a left turn onto Forest Service Road 448 and travel 3.25 miles. Here, veer left onro Forest Service 178. Travel 6.0 miles to the summit.

KJ7OKW's picture

Northwest Peak, Montana | August 28, 2021

Summit: 
W7M/LI-008

An easy drive to the trailhead and a moderate 2.5 mile hike makes for a good day in the northwest corner of Montana. As with many summits up here, it's just a very remote area and it's quite a long drive from anywhere. Well worth it, however.

K7ATN's picture

Fryingpan Mountain, WA | Sep 2021

Summit: 
W7W/PL-026

Here's a wilderness peak where backpacking is a good choice - it's a long seven miles one-way and about 2700 feet of gain - it would be a lot to do in one day. It would even be possible to camp on the summit - but be ready to carry your water.

KE7NOB's picture

Sentinel Peak, OR | August 2021

Summit: 
W7O/NE-010

Unless you're in extremely good shape (or just crazy) Sentinel Peak should be done as a backpack trip. The best way to activate is to hike to Aneroid Lake along the E Fork Wallowa Lake Trail (1804) starting at the Wallowa Lake TH. 

To get to the Wallowa Lake TH drive to Joseph, OR and continue South on hwy 351/Powerhouse Rd. Once near the southern end of the lake take a left to stay on Powerhouse Road and follow it to the end. Parking is free and you do not need a NW Forest Pass for this TH. 

AG7GP's picture

Wagner Butte, OR 2021

Summit: 
W7O/CS-027

I have already written a long blog on Wagner but thought I would do a separate update as I finally took the trail for most of the trip. Keep in mind that what all us locals know as the trailhead is not on most maps, they have it down the road. There is a large parking area opposite the TH that is not on many maps 42.11449, -122.80047 is where you want to be. From here it will be about 9 miles RT with about 2600' gain, according to my trackers. I took a few paths off trail so there is a little estimation. The trail is nice.

KE7NOB's picture

4980 Hidden Peak, OR | August 2021

Summit: 
W7O/NE-169

The views from Hidden Peak of the Eagle Cap Wilderness are amazing and worth the trip. There are a couple ways to get to Hidden Peak but the easiest is to purchase a day ticket for the Wallowa Lake Tramway ($38 per person as of 2021 - https://www.wallowalaketramway.com) to the top of Mt. Howard, and hike south along an unofficial ridge trail. If you are planning to backpack for a few days let the staff know you won't be taking the tram back down as the tickets are only good for one day and you'll need to hand them your ticket at the top when you disembark. 

WJ7WJ's picture

Long Creek Mountain | Aug 2021

Summit: 
W7O/NE-082

An easy summit in the John Day area is Long Creek Mountain. To access it turn east off of Highway 395 on NF-3940. This turn is at the Long Creek Summit, 44.6789, -119.1309. The turn off the highway is steep, but I believe it is Priusable to 44.6626, -119.0480. From here it is half a mile and 250 ft. of gain on a rough road to the summit. You can drive it with high clearance and your mirrors folded in, if you don’t mind a few paint scratches.

K7ATN's picture

Garwood Butte, OR | July 2021

Summit: 
W7O/CS-036

If you are touring anywhere near Crater Lake National Park, Garwood Butte is a quiet destination for an activation. The forest road is fairly Priusable and the hike is reasonably short, even if a bit steep in places. As for a number of other summits, one reward for making it to the top is a historic fire lookout. The "upper" trailhead is about 1 mile and 600 feet of gain - from Forest Road 3703 (Three Lakes Rd) it's about 2.3 miles and 1000 feet. 

From Roseburg, Oregon turn on OR-138 East / Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard.

K7WXW's picture

Lookout Mountain WA | August 2021

Summit: 
W7W/LC-066

Summary - Lookout is drive up with a wide open summit, though parts of the way up aren't for the faint of heart. There is a small comm facility that doesn't generate appreciable RFI, a couple of places to set up, and when the clouds aren't in the way, excellent views.  Bring a mast if you want to put up a wire.  2M contacts are possible with a 1/2 wave whip but a yagi will make things a lot easier. APRS is easy from here, too. Drive time from SE Portland is about two hours through Stabler and out Hemlock Road (turn at 45.80838, -121.90741).  

WU7H's picture

Evergreen Mountain, WA | July, 2021

Summit: 
W7W/SN-089

Quick update for this semi-popular summit. If you need directions, see WTA... it's very easy to get to.

The road: it's not terrible but I'd recommend a Subaru or better. There are a couple bad spots where high clearence is helpful.

The summit was BUGGY today. I had to wear my rain gear, head net, Deet... was sitting in a massive swarm, sweating. They still managed to bite me. It was hot and muggy, and quite a bit of smoke from the fires in EWA in the air. Views were still very nice despite the smoke.