Pass Required at Trailhead

Trailhead parking or use of the trail requires a permit, pass or other for-pay document
N7LFO's picture

Unicorn Peak (2m bust) May 27, 2023

Summit: 
W7W/PL-003

My second bust in the Tatoosh Range! These peaks are far enough from PDX that 2m won't reach, and despite the proximity to Seattle, there happens to be a big chuck of rock and ice in the way. I knew it would be a stretch, but was hopeful the extra time on the summit would give me a chance to round up four contacts. Nope. Advice: either bring a beam antenna, your HF rig, or coordinate with other activators and chasers to make sure you can get it done.

WJ7WJ's picture

Lone Ridge, OR | Jun 2023

Summit: 
W7O/NC-060

I thought I would do an update and pull together the two trip reports for this summit.
http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k9wbz/2019-april-23/w7onc-060-lone-ridge-act...
http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/n7un/2016-september-07/lone-ridge-w7onc-060
It is 9.5 miles round trip and 1200 feet of gain from the gate to the summit.
This makes it a very nice biketavation as the slope is usually managable on the bike with a few hike a bikes here and there. The road is good gravel and goes all the way to the top. The views are wonderful.

N7MKO's picture

Mount Zion, WA | May 2023

Summit: 
W7W/NO-134

First hike of the season on May 21st -- hadn't specifically planned to do an activation, but brought along the handheld. Called CQ on 2m FM and got a few stations. Ate lunch and hiked south to the viewpoint toward Mt. Townsend but clouds were coming in. Went back to the summit for another CQ and was surprised to get a summit-to-summit call from KI7QIV on the summit of Mount Rainier! Nice trail -- great QSOs!

N7KOM's picture

Bates Butte, OR | April 2023

Summit: 
W7O/CM-101

South of Bend is a little 2-pointer named Bates Butte. I had mapped out a route from the south side. Frome Bend take South Century Drive and make a left on Forest Lane, a paved forest road. Take a right at 43.80887, -121.50379 and make a short drive up a forest road. There was still a bit of snow when I was there, so 4 wheel drive recommended, but probably doable on 2 wheel drive when dry. I parked at 43.80536, -121.50776. From here look for a decent worn trail heading north up the butte.

K7WXW's picture

frog lake buttes, or (winter ascent and new summit)

Summit: 
W7O/CN-106

The recent update of the W7O ARM  (Association Reference Manual) moved the activation zone of Frog Lake Buttes to the higher of the two butte summits, which gave me a reason to repeat one of my annual snowshoe hikes, notch another unique, and collect a winter bonus.  This was my fourth trip to the summit (three in the winter, one in the summer).

K7AGL's picture

Baldy Peak, WA | Feb 2023

Summit: 
W7W/MC-075

Baldy Peak was a wonderful and pleasant surprise. I recommend it. The minimum hike is 1.2 miles round trip with about 650’ vertical.  The hike can be extended by parking a bit further down B-1000 and hiking up the Buck Creek trail. 

N7KOM's picture

Lava Butte, OR | Feb 2023

Summit: 
W7O/CE-188

Lava Butte is closed to vehicles in the winter, but open for hiking. You can park at the closed visitor center, or there's an option to pull off 97 near where the Lava Butte road passes the highway. From here there's a very short trail through the brush and you're on the road. We did this option which puts the hike at about 1.2 mi and 540' gain. 

The road was mostly clear of snow and ice, with just a handful of spots that had it. We did not need the microspikes we brought in our packs, but had the temps been colder, they would've been neccessary in some spots. 

N7LFO's picture

Mt Hood, Jan 2023

Summit: 
W7O/CN-001

Standard Mt. Hood disclaimer: conditions vary by the hour, experience interpreting conditions and forecasts are essential for safe alpine travel.

There are several good trip reports that outline the route and condition aspects of this trip, so I'll try to stick to what was specific about this activation.

NE7ET's picture

Blue Box Summit aka 4620, OR | Jan 2022

Summit: 
W7O/CN-090

I took my kids on a snowshoeing adventure this past weekend.  There were several SOTA activators scheduled to be out activating and we joined them for a fun time.  The distance is around 1.7miles one way but we had very nice snow conditions.

Traffic was very heavy heading up to Mt. Hood and several vehicles turned around but we persevered and it eventually improved.  It did add around 30mins to our arrival time.

Starting from the Frog Lake SNO-PARK and heading across the hwy slightly to the north is the Pacific Crest Trail crossing.

NE7ET's picture

Frog Lake Buttes, OR | 2022 Dec NYE

Summit: 
W7O/CN-024

UPDATE March 2023: W7W/CN-024 has been retired and replaced by Frog Lake Buttes