Exposed Trail

Like a 50 mile long sapphire snake, sparkling Lake Chelan dominates north central Washington State as a geological and recreational wonder.  The name Chelan is a Salish Indian word, "Tsi - Laan," meaning 'Deep Water'.   Ringed on both east and west sides by giant mountains leaping skyward steeply, the Lake Chelan Gorge is one of the deepest in the US.  With a water level of 1,100 feet, and Bonanza Peak topping out at 9,511 feet, there is vertical relief of 8,411 feet within 10 miles of Lake Chelan.  Our crowning objective on this SOTA outing was an un-Activated Pyramid Mountain, 8,243 feet high and a mere 3.16 miles from Lake Chelan.  This afforded the opportunity of gazing down 7,143 feet at the crystalline water reflecting the bright Eastern Washington summer sun.   Along the route are strung 3 other SOTA summits, none of which had been previously Activated.  The total trip was approximately 25 miles RT, with approximately 7,000 feet elevation gain, including ups and downs in between the various peaks.  This is report 1 of 4, Crow Hill.

Broken Top is an eroded stratovolcano about 25 miles west of Bend Oregon in the Three
Sisters Wilderness. It can be reached by traveling to Mount Bachelor on the Cascades
Lake Highway (County Hwy 46) and then continuing west towards to the Green Lakes/Fall
Creek trailhead. Round trip to the summit and back is about 12 miles. The summit reaches
an altitude of 9175 feet.

A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead, or a one day pass can be
picked up at the trailhead for five bucks. A no-cost permit for entry to the wilderness

A short, steep and rough climb will get you to the summit of Slide Peak.

W7M/CL-023 may be climbed easily climbed from the Scapegoat Plateau.  The approach is 17 to 21 miles – depending upon which route one chooses to access the plateau.  The southeast ridge of the mountain is a good approach and offers great views of the plateau.  The Plateau is prime grizzly bear habitat – so be “Bear Aware”!

Walk up the relatively gentle northwest ridge from the Scapegoat Plateau to attain the summit.   The approach is 17 to 21 miles – depending upon the route that one chooses to access the plateau.  The summit ridge has an interesting and fragile rock outcropping that is decaying to become talus.  The summit offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the magnificent Scapegoat Plateau.  The Plateau is prime grizzly bear habitat and the grassy meadows at the base of this summit are a favorite foraging area – so be “Bear Aware”!

Flint Mountain may be easily climbed up its southeast sloping ramp from the Scapegoat Plateau. The approach is 17 to 21 miles – depending upon which route one chooses to access the plateau. The cliff band that guards the eastern side of the mountain slopes downwards to the left (south) and can easily be topped towards the left. After topping the cliff band, walk along the bench northwards until you reach a trail (visible in photo) that ascends the steep side-slope towards the summit ramp. Follow the grassy ramp to the summit.

Timber Butte is a practically unknown destination not far from the busy trailhead for Triangulation Peak.

Repeat Activation of Red Top Mountain Lookout.  Red Top (W7W/CW-061) is 5,361 feet elevation (1,634 meters), and is located approximately 15 miles NNE of Cle Elum, Washington.  There have been many activations of Red Top Mountain before, so there is ample planning material available.  Great weather, great views and the good company of my XYL and Dexter the SOT

A fantastic Activation together with my SOTA Buddy, Tim, KG7EJT, along with his wife Masako, my wife Sharon & Dexter the SOTA Dog on Memorial Day 2016.  Great weather, fantastic views from the summit and a successful SOTA Activation for both of us, yielded a memorable outing. "Mount Attenuator", mostly known as Summit Lake Peak, is approximately 3 miles north of Mount Rainier National Park.  Thus it affords incredible sweeping outlook of the north aspect of mighty Mount Rainier.  Mount Attenuator is 5,780 feet (1,762 meters) high, and is reached via approximately 6.1 mile RT trail.  Elevation gain is approximately 1,360 feet.

Indian Mountain, north of Mount Hood, is a remote summit with great views of Mount Hood.