Good Views From Summit

This summit is located South of Pocatello Idaho. Take Bannock Hwy through Pocatello to Gibson Jack Rd which will take you to the Gibson Jack TH (see W7I-SI-153 Writeup below).

 This summary is for two summits...Joell, KJ7GFN and I started our SOTA trip about 1.5 hrs before daylight, I was hoping to get to the first summit, Smith Rock (also Sky Lakes Wilderness for WWFF), while dx was still happening to EU. We dressed preparing for a freezing morning, forecast was at 20-25f low in the area, figured even cooler at 6000'. I wore the warmest of everything I had since I get cold very easily. But we were fooled! Some sort of an inversion in the mountains was happening and I am guessing it was more around 50-55!

One-day triple-summits activation.  A good US Forest Service road system gets one close enough to activate three summits easily in one day, a bit rare in Western Montana.  The other two summits, Burnt Mountain (W7M/GA-145) and Babcock Mountain (W7M/GA-146) are accessible via short hikes from the same US Forest Service road system. 

This summit is located South of Pocatello Idaho. Take Bannock Highway through town and turn at Gibson Jack Rd. The Trailhead is approx 3 miles on paved road. Once at the Gibson Jack TH take either trail 7015 which is a steep, exposed motorized trail...I would only take a dirt bike or 4 wheeler due to the condition of the trail or you can take single track non-motorized trail number 7014 which is longer but less exposed. I generally choose to hike the motorized trail due to time constraints.

  Indian Mtn is South of Pocatello Idaho.  Travel to  Mink Creek Recreation Area Rd and take a left on the East Fork of Mink Rd. Travel a mile up the road to Lead Draw trailhead.  You can either hike east or take a four wheeler/UTV and drive up to the ruins of a old ski resort. Only thing left is a rock fireplace.  There will be a single track trail N.E. above the ruins which will lead you to the summit of Indian Mountain.  It is approx. 3 miles from the ruins to the summit.  It is all exposed.

I have been doing SOTA now since Dec. 2018..with the Winter months on the way I thought that I would submit summit info here in SE Idaho.  I am about the only station here that actively participates in SOTA so I thought I would pass these along..let me know if you are ever in the area and want to do some summits..or shoot me a email if you have any questions.....73's Bill-N0DNF.....

Peak 2020 is relatively easy-to-access summit near the city of Tillamook on BLM land. It's nearly or fully drive up depending on your transport. From the look of the area, it's probably a known go-to spot for offroaders and hunters in the local forest who want a good view and a place for an evening fire.

Kerby Peak is a summit that can be reached on a very well maintained trail with good instructions and descriptions already on the web:

The Hike: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Kerby_Peak_Hike

The Trail head: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Kerby_Peak_Trailhead

It’s rocky on top so I suggest bringing your own antenna support.

Brandy Peak is a short hike on a good trail. It is accessible in any vehicle. It’s not close to a population center. You knew there was a catch. The views from the top are spectacular and 360 degrees. It might be on your shuttle route if you are running the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue or the Illinois Rivers. Road is closed in winter.

Bear Camp Summit is a name I have given this peak which is just off of Bear Camp Road (NF-23). Bear Camp road is famous to river runners as the shuttle road when doing the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue river. It is infamous for the Kim family tragedy. Don't attempt this activation in winter.