Good Parking At Trailhead

Trailhead has ample, free, accessible parking
VE7QIN's picture

My First SOTA: Black Mountain, BC, Canada

Summit: 
VE7/GV-013

My first SOTA activity was activating VE7/GV-013 on a sunny day in October. I find this mountain a great place for local hams to experience SOTA for the first time.

VE7/GV-013, Black Mountain is located in Cypress Provincial Park, just half an hour drive from Vancouver. Parking at Lot 1 of Cypress Mountain Ski Resort is free and it is mostly empty in the morning, as long as it's not ski season.

KI7EMX's picture

Trask Mountain

Summit: 
W7O/NC-003

I had mapped out three different routes to the summit “trailhead” and opted to drive up from the south off Nestucca River Road.  Turn north at an unmarked road/intersection .7 miles west of the NW Boundary Road/Nestucca River Road intersection.  Most roads in this area are unsigned.

W7RMR's picture

Divide Butte, OR | October 2018

Summit: 
W7O/WV-035

Easy driving access in a somewhat remote part of the Mt Hood National Forest. Best way in is to enter the forest from Hillock Burn Road off Highway 211 which turns into the 45 road. You follow that for about 13 miles to the turnoff to the 4540 road. It's notable as you go from gravel to pavement when you turn off from the main road to a secondary road. the 4540 meanders it's way up past a sometimes-there lake, taking a left turn there and is fairly overgrown but still passable. In about 3.5 miles, you pass the turn off to South Fork Mountain, an easy drive up summit.

K7ATN's picture

Veda Butte, OR | July 2017

Summit: 
W7O/CN-038

This is a short one mile hike 400 feet of gain that you reach by driving about five miles on a poor road. There's some bushwacking required to make the Activation Zone. 

K7ATN's picture

Peak 3410, OR | August 2018

Summit: 
W7O/NC-067

Peak 3410 is about 10 miles back into the Tillamook State Forest. Although once you get there it is really a near drive-up, the drive on those roads might feel like you've been hiking five miles by the time you get there. You'll want a high clearance vehicle, a good map, and GPS to reach this summit off Highway 6.  

K7ATN's picture

Bull of the Woods, OR | Sep 2018

Summit: 
W7O/WV-009

Here is a lovely hike in the south reaches of the Clackamas watershed. The hike is about 6.5 miles round trip and 1000 feet of gain. Although about two hours from Portland, it's also a nice drive to the trailhead with good signage along the way. Only the last half mile or so would be challenging in a passenger car. 

K7ATN's picture

Peak 2814, (Best Regards) OR | August 2018

Summit: 
W7O/NC-073

An easy one pointer in the Coast Range with a very short hike - using a GPS may help you find it in the maze of roads that is the Tillamook State Forest.

VA7NX's picture

Saint Marks Summit

Summit: 
VE7/GV-017

John, Ralph and myself (Eric) made the trek to the summit of St Marks. The hike is very popular with 200+ on the trail on a nice week-end. The first half of the trail is well groomed and easy walking. The trail improvement stops about half way and from there on the trail is easy to follow but it is very root infested and so one needs to be constantly watching where one steps.

KI7EMX's picture

McKinley Ridge, WA

Summit: 
W7W/LC-088

Directions: Take Sunset Falls Road east of Battleground to Sunset Campground. Turn right and cross the East Fork Lewis River on FS Road 41. Stay on FS 41 for approximately 9 miles to a large parking area atop McKinley Ridge. This is NOT the summit.

K7EEX's picture

McDonald Peak, Oregon

Summit: 
W7O/CS-030

Poor McDonald, like Rodney Dangerfield, it gets no respect. And honestly, that’s not fair. Sitting in line with the heralded Mt. Ashland (W7O/CS-019), McDonald is easy to access, has a great operating position, and spectacular views of the Siskiyous in all directions. If you are activating Mt. Ashland, you absolutely must make it a double if the roads are open and clear.