On a family vacation to the Lake Tahoe Basin in Nevada and California, I was fortunate enough to Activate 4 peaks in 3 days. This is a description of the Mount Watson Activation, number 2 in the series. On this Activation I had the pleasure of meeting up with a "local" Activator from Reno, Nevada, K1LB - "Woody" Brown, so that we could do a joint Activation of Watson.
Peak 4620 is a backcountry snowshoe activation that can be done in the winter if you don't mind using a GPS and are comfortable with off-trail navigation.
A first activation of Eureka Peak on snowshoes turned out to be quite a workout. The basic climb description is about 2.5 miles one way and 1200 feet of gain, but the real work is off the trail with the last half mile being particularly steep. Since there is no trail to the top this would be difficult to do without snow cover.
This unnamed peak is located west of Territorial Highway and south of Crow, OR. This one-point summit is located in the middle of a young and dense forest. Views are not expansive.
This summit is not very noteworthy. It's best feaure is being only a few miles from Cummins Peak, allowing an easy two summit activation. You are on a road right of way that is surrounded by forest. No views, but lots of trees to support antennas.
This is a fine hike that many should try at some point - it's 4.4 miles and 800 feet of gain for the 'short' version described here, with a summit pinnacle that makes for a fun scramble if you feel the need to get to the tippy top.
Bull of the Woods is a pleasant and popular hike south of Estacada of about 6.5 miles and 1300 feet of gain. There's an unused (but locked) fire lookout at the summit, giving you a chance to be out of the sun (or rain) to activate by standing under the structure.
Here's a near drive-up south of Estacada with a hike as short as a quarter mile and 200 feet of gain.
Mount Lowe is another former fire lookout sites in the Oregon Cascades - it's a short hike of about 3 miles round-trip and perhaps a net of 300 feet of gain.
Nash crater (W7O/CM-100) is just south and west of where OR 22 intersects with
US Hwy20 near Santiam Pass. Take FS 2676 off of US Hwy 20. After a quarter of
a mile, take a left onto FS 723. Note that I found this area to be pretty much
unsigned with multiple roads going in many directions. Take a map and GPS. Its
confusing at times.
Follow FS 723 around the east side of Nash crater. Ascend to a slight saddle
and flat area on the southeast flank of the mountain. I found a small pullout
here and parked.