Good Parking At Trailhead

Trailhead has ample, free, accessible parking
K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation: Mount Catherine, Kittitas County, Washington - September 21, 2014

Summit: 
W7W/CW-066

Last full day of summer, 2014 - A short Activation hike to a beautiful mountaintop view from the somewhat smallish summit area of Mount Catherine.

A last minute decision to attempt a SOTA Activation on the last full day of summer 2014, led us to choose Mount Catherine, behind the Summit East (Hyak) ski area, near Snoqualmie Pass. 

N7KRN's picture

Nason Ridge West

Summit: 
W7W/CH-204

This peak is 68.5 miles east of Interstate 5 along State Route 2. Go over Stevens Pass and very soon after the highway divides, turn left on Smithbrook Road #6700. Travel in, over and around the potholes for about 3.7 miles to a wide left-hand curve at about 4600' in a saddle of the Nason Ridge. Park along the road or on a nearby spur road and you'll find the trail for access on the east side signed as Nason Ridge Trail #1583. No permits required here.

N7KRN's picture

Dock Butte Activation - Sept 14, 2014

Summit: 
W7W/SK-100

Dock Butte has great views of it's Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest home. There is plenty of antenna room on the summit and it's only a short 3-mile roundtrip hike. The trail is great - a bit steep and requires just a very short scramble near the top. It took us about an hour from the trailhead. 

N7KRN's picture

Angeline-Heart Activation Aug 21, 2014

Summit: 
W7W/KG-065

Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness off the West Fork Foss River Trail #1064 near Skykomish, this peak is between Big Heart and Angeline lakes. Big Heart Lake is about a 7.3 mile hike in, and the trail is steep and rocky at times. You'll also pass Trout, Copper and Little Heart Lakes on your way with wonderful scenery at all times.

N7KRN's picture

Surprise Mtn Activation - Sept 2, 2014

Summit: 
W7W/KG-012

Surprise Mountain is right off of Section J of the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 in Washington. We were hiking south from the Steven’s Pass trailhead and camped at Deception Lakes - about 17.5 miles from the trailhead. From that point, it is only 1.3 miles and a 1300’ gain up the Surprise Mountain Trail #1063 to the summit. Following the horse camp signs along a very well maintained trail got me on the right path.

WB4SPB's picture

First solo activation, on Pinnacle Peak, King County, WA

Summit: 
W7W/KG-126

Pinnacle Peak is a popular spot for beginning activators in this area:  it's very accessible, and there are both northen and southern trail routes. My YF and I used the Cal Magnusson trail on the North Side.  It is a popular spot for hikers (often with dogs) and runners -- steep but only about a mile to the summit.  One runner told us she'd made the ascent in 32 minutes.  We took more like 50 minutes.

ND7PA's picture

Browder Ridge Activation, August 2, 2014

Summit: 
W7O/CM-056

Browder Ridge is one of those hikes that you really don't want to tell anybody about. Its well known for its wildflowers and mentioned as an alternate to crowd-packed Iron Mountain/Cone Peak. Unlike the more popular Iron Mountain loop, Browder Ridge stays in bloom far into summer. It has a number of great views and dramatic old growth fir/hemlock/cedar forests. I was there in early August and there were an amazing number of flowers and blooming things.

K7MAS's picture

First SOTA Activation: Jester Mountain, Kittitas / Chelan Counties (on dividing line), Washington - September 3, 2014

Summit: 
W7W/CW-054

No Joke on Jester Mountain, but Mr. Murphy (as in Murphy's Law) showed up. Fall is nearly in the air.  The flowers are long gone, replaced by late season berries and mushrooms.  Air temperature when leaving the car at 9:00 AM was 44 degrees F.  Crossing Snoqualmie Pass, the weather was rainly, foggy & windy.  It did not look promising, but the anticipated East Slope of Cascades Rain Shadow was in effect, and we had a glorious day in the Wenatchee mountains.

K7ATN's picture

Hamaker Mountain, OR | August 2014

Summit: 
W7O/CE-051

Get yourself to Keno, Oregon and you'll be within a few miles of a couple of good summits. Hamaker Mountain may be the only six point PAVEMENT drive up in Oregon. Keno is about 12 miles SW of Klamath Falls on the Green Springs Highway 66, or about half that distance to the NW from Highway 97 on the Keno-Worden Road from the wide spot that is Worden, Oregon.

K7ATN's picture

Chase Mountain, OR | August 2014

Summit: 
W7O/CE-073

Get yourself to Keno, Oregon and you'll be within a few miles of a couple of good summits. Chase Mountain has a lookout and is a drive up in most any vehicle. Keno is about 12 miles SW of Klamath Falls on the Green Springs Highway 66, or about half that distance to the NW from Highway 97 on the Keno-Worden Road from the wide spot that is Worden, Oregon.