Forested Summit

Ideal for MTB or gravel bike, this summit was another old lookout tower until the mid 30s. Begin where NF-051 is gated (N48.45475, W117.21851), about a six mile drive in from LeClerc Rd N. This road is Priusable. Just shy of five miles up the road from the gate near the summit (N 48.46345, W117.21752) take the road to the right. About 1/2 mile later, the road is blocked and you'll veer left uphill (on foot from here) on a small game trail to the summit about 300ft higher. The summit is forested but has ample room for camping and a nice fire ring.

Update: as of 7/2024 add about 1 mile to ascent due to large tree fall.

This is a decent stop-off on the way to the Marys Peak day use area. The easiest approach is from the west, which has the least gain and the shortest path up to the logging roads up there.

0.5 miles; + 687 feet

This is a pleasant hike that begins at the historic Greenstone Mine just west of Apex, MT in the foothills of the East Pioneer Mountains.

This first time activation was done entirely upon private property. Written permission from the property owner was obtained prior to the attempt. Any subsequent attempts must granted prior written permission. Franklin Butte WV-097 is a 909ft peak located 2.5 miles south of the town of Scio, Oregon. The 2.5 mile round trip hike features 1 mile on a powerline access grass road and 1.5 miles of bushwacking to the summit along a ridgetop. The elevation gain is about 550 feet.

Driving Directions - 

Git Out Ridge is a a 2 point summit located about 5 miles north of Gold Bar. The 6.8 mile (roundtrip) hike begins at Spada Lake and is mostly a walk on a gravel road. About 1/3 of the hike is on an abandoned section of road that goes through the forest. Total elevation gain is ~1300'.

Driving Directions:
Take Highway 2 to Sultan. Take the Sultan Basin Road north. Most of the way is paved, but the last 1/3 of the road is gravel. We went in a Prius and had no trouble - the gravel road is in good shape. Keep following the road until you arrive at Spada Lake Dam.

3537 is a 4-pointer right off Marble Mountain Sno-Park, and despite the busy climbing season it is easily possible to get in here and activate it. You might combine this with a summit of nearby LC-075, if you are feeling especially ambitious.

To get here, take I-5 to Woodland, then SR 503 which becomes SR-503 Spur, which turns into NF-90; turn left onto NF-83 and drive 6 miles to Marble Mountain Sno-Park.

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.

22-miles, +6,200 ft; - 6,500 From Elk Mountain TH

3.0 miles, +2,400 ft from Buck Lake Creek

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).