I echo AK5SD's comments. Don't go thru the gate but park in nearby areas at the gate. This road is frequented by fire crews and other Rangers who may be only visiting the lookout for a few minutes. Don't get caught behind a locked gate! And the lookout road is mostly a one-way which would create problems if you met traffic. It's only about a mile hike (750 ft elev gain) from the gate to the lookout.
This was my second activation of Sunset Mountain. The first activation was with K7ZO when we did a triple with 2 other summits to the NW. See that trip report here: Sunset Mountain 2015. This activation was a double with the unactivated Peak 7460. See the full trip report here: Peak 7460
Chelan Crest SOTA Outing July 23-25, 2016 – Part 2. See separate report on PNWSOTA website with background on outing and day 1 description. 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 2 of 4, Graham Mountain.
This was my second activation of Mores Mountain. This Mountain makes for a nice double with Shafer Butte. See our (w/K7ZO) previous trip report for more information. Parking at the forest service picnic ground at the saddle between the two summits makes a nice base camp for restocking or having lunch before/after the activations. Note there is a $5 per car self-pay to drive into the picnic area. Picnic tables and pit toilets along with the central location
During my first activation of Sunset Mountain (2015), I spied Peak 7460 down the Hungarian Ridge trail leading from the summit of Sunset Peak. An out and back activation was realized in 2016. It didn't see like it was going to be a big deal hiking down from Sunset peak and then back up to Peak 7460, but it turned out to be quite the effort! 6.2 miles round trip and 2410ft of climbing.
This was my second activation of Granite Mountain which is NW of McCall Idaho. Although strenuous due to a consistently steep grade, the views from the summit are spectacular. Granite Mountain has a twin summit. The trail will take you to the south summit with the fire lookout tower. This is not the SOTA summit, but is well worth a few extra steps to get the view off the south side. After a quick visit to the fire lookout, turn back to the north and you will see the slightly higher SOTA summit a short distance away.
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.
It makes for a very long day (about 17 miles total), but this Wildcat Mountain (WV-046) can also be reached from Huckleberry Mountain via the Plaza Ridge Trail #783 and the Douglas Trail #781. It's also quite beautiful - a stunning ridge hike in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness.
Road Access: Good to Trailhead. The last 1/4-mi to summit is a bushwhack over steep terrain and fallen trees, undergrowth dense in areas. High-clearance 2WD okay to the recommended parking area. Access: East from Yacolt on Sunset Falls Rd which turns into FR42. Travel the pot-holed FR42 until it intersects with FR53. Then travel NW for about 1/2-mi until the next intersection and a rock quarry. FR5304 is not marked but is the eastern most road. Travel about 1/2 mi NE then park at the "Y" fork in the road.
The Loneman hike is long but rewarding. The trail is 7.4 miles long with 3,900 feet of vertical elevation gain. It is necessary to ford both the Middle Fork of the Flathead and Nyack Creek. The hike is most feasible in August or September once streamflows have subsided and the NPS has had time to clear the trails. Wading shoes and a trekking pole or a sturdy stick are advisable for the crossings. The flow in the Middle Fork was about 2,300 cfs for our crossing, which was about hip deep for me (6’-2” tall). The crossing would become quick