Here's a fairly easy SOTA summit not too far from Boise. It has good views from the top and some simple navigation challenges as it's cross country with no trail. This could be a good summit to try out using a GPS - it might help you end up in the right place.
Spencer Butte is a Eugene city park about four miles south of downtown. The address for the most convenient trailhead is 85401 South Willamette Street and the trailhead parking lot is well signed as the Spencer Butte Trailhead. This trailhead has the shortest routes to the summit.
This is a steep but easily accessed 8 point peak near the town of Mazama, WA. If you're in the Twisp, Winthrop or Mazama area, it's a must do. It contains a fire lookout tower and great views of the Methow valley and North Cascade peaks. It's only 2.5 miles long, has a fire lookout tower at the top but some sections are very steep. Call ahead to the ranger's office and see if Lighting Bill will be in the fire lookout. If so, be sure to bring him a cold beer!
I leave Seattle with grandiose plans. Three days, three eight pointer on the east side of the Cascades. This side is not that wet, as in theory Rainier blocks most of the moisture. Rainer rain shadow. Thus, trails melt out much more quicker over less snow. Forecast is quite bad for the first day, but all sunny for the rest. Again things turn out little different than planned originally.
This easy 1 point summit is just off I-5 and can be quickly accomplished if you're passing through the scenic Skagit Valley.
The road is paved all the way to the top but there is also a network of trails. The road is gated at the bottom but is open from 10am to dusk. This is a city of Mt. Vernon park. It's common to find cars parallel parked along the road near the gate for those that want to walk to the top.
If you're visiting the scenic mariner town of Anacortes, or passing through on your way to the San Juan Island ferry, Mt. Erie is a quick easy 1 pointer with great views.
This summit can be reached via a paved road all the way to the top, or park at the bottom and utilitze the extensive network of trails to reach the summit. Once there, I set up on the south side of the hill, a rocky area looking at Whidbey Island and Lake Campbell. Tall fir trees lie just behind the rocks, perfect for wire antenna deployment.
Directions:
The goats and I made a last minute decision on Friday night to get a SOTA fix. Saturday morning we hiked Little Baldy, near Alger, WA. If you're heading north on I-5 towards Canada or Bellingham, this is right off the freeway. Take Exit 242, turn Right (East) and the trailhead/parking lot will be clearly visible on your left in about 1/2 mile.
Devil's Mountain is just off I-5 as you pass through Skagit Valley, south of Mount Vernon. It's an easy 2 pointer via a gated logging road.
Taylor and I returned to Tumalo Mountain this weekend to score a rare 6 pointer in winter, with a justified bonus. Tumalo Mountain is a strenuous, yet technically easy ascent. The trail up to the summit leaves from the Dutchman Flats Sno-Park, just north of the entrance to the Mt Bachelor ski area on Cascade Lakes Highway. Because this is a popular winter recreation area, the parking area is packed with people looking to snow-machine, ski, and snowshoe to the top.
This is the only 'drive-up' ten pointer in Oregon - but perhaps because it's eight hours from the Willamette Valley it remains a pretty quiet place. The scenery and silence of this high desert place have made it my favorite spot in the world for more than twenty years with many trips bringing family and friends to see this place. It was great to have a chance to activate it for Summits on the Air.